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Better tone changing the bridge post?

Morgan24

Active member
Joined
Nov 1, 2020
Messages
138
Is there any reason to change the bridge post to the more vintage correct 3,90mm instead of the 3,65mm. Better tone or not worth the effort?
Screenshot_20210124-105721_Chrome.jpg
 

fakejake

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 3, 2010
Messages
1,274
The purpose of this is to change from a Nashville to an ABR-1 bridge. They look pretty different, and due to a difference in mass should also sound different. There should be several old threads on here that discuss the difference. In my opinion, the change is worth it since the ABR1 to me looks better and more vintage correct.
 

Keefoman

Active member
Joined
Nov 4, 2009
Messages
576
The purpose of this is to change from a Nashville to an ABR-1 bridge. They look pretty different, and due to a difference in mass should also sound different. There should be several old threads on here that discuss the difference. In my opinion, the change is worth it since the ABR1 to me looks better and more vintage correct.
It still won't be vintage correct, because you'll still have steel inserts instead of the studs drilled directly into the wood. I agree with you that it maybe looks better (slinkier).
 

harleytech

Member
Joined
May 19, 2017
Messages
70
Those inserts are the wrong ones then... Those are for converting a Nashville bridge to a ABR1 bridge and for a guitar with metal inserts.
 

Morgan24

Active member
Joined
Nov 1, 2020
Messages
138
Okay, but the bridge post that the custom shop use is still made of steel not brass and they are still not the correct size? So anyone tried to change to correct brass and size? This goes for the thumbweel too! And how come the custom shop want to save such a small amount? How hard can it be to do it right?
 

harleytech

Member
Joined
May 19, 2017
Messages
70
I can't tell why Gibson uses them ,But you can get the brass posts and thumbwheels and replace them if you want - No big deal - a lot of people do...
These guys have them : https://www.philadelphialuthiertools.com/ I have a 2020 58' reissue and mine are stock... The guitar sounds fine to me...
YMMV
 
Last edited:

dwagar

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 18, 2005
Messages
4,451
My R9 is an '01, so maybe I'm out of the loop. But wasn't the old Mapleflame mod (which I've done) changing from a brass post to stainless steel?
 

Keefoman

Active member
Joined
Nov 4, 2009
Messages
576
My R9 is an '01, so maybe I'm out of the loop. But wasn't the old Mapleflame mod (which I've done) changing from a brass post to stainless steel?
Yep. Did the same to my ‘06 R8. Also I drilled the holes a little deeper and fitted longer studs.
 

c_wester

Well-known member
Joined
May 9, 2002
Messages
2,116
I had great success with an R8 putting Stainless steel Abr1 Rods in.
I also had a killer R7 and changed it there also did nothing for the tone.

But I still recommend trying it!

That R8 Really took advantage of the increased sonic clearity.
 

fakejake

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 3, 2010
Messages
1,274
Same here. I did the Mapleflame mod on my R8, it really changed the guitar for the better. More clarity and a more direct response, to my ears at least.
For this mod, the posts should not only be stainless steel, but also considerably longer than the original ones.
 

harleytech

Member
Joined
May 19, 2017
Messages
70
Like I said , My Reissue sounds great the way it is... Stock ! I'm not ready to go down that rabbit hole and then end up right back where I started.. I myself don't think it's gonna be that noticeable... Changing to brass that is...
JMHO...
 

Big Al

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,537
I've never detected a change in tone simply by changing wheel or screw posts. Steel post less prone to lean though, so that is good. Bridge and saddles make a bigger, and you can actually hear it, difference.
 

Keefoman

Active member
Joined
Nov 4, 2009
Messages
576
My R9 is an '01, so maybe I'm out of the loop. But wasn't the old Mapleflame mod (which I've done) changing from a brass post to stainless steel?
Yep. Did the same to my ‘06 R8. Also I drilled the holes a little deeper and fitted longer studs.
 
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