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Faber ABR-1 or Standard 50s ABR-1

Old School

Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2017
Messages
48
I managed to get a Faber Germany ABR-1 style bridge for nothing with adapter screws to fit in my 2004 Standard, although I have replaced the Nashville with a Gibson ABR-1 style from new Gibson Standard 50s, wondering would the Faber be an upgrade??
 
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Señor Verde

Active member
Joined
Jan 13, 2005
Messages
621
I had the stock Historic bridges on my R7 and R8. They were fine but I think the saddle grooves were cut pretty deep, so I tried the Faber locking on both of them and like the sound even better. Just as clear sounding but a little more fullness. I tried the Faber non-locking on one of them and I remember it seeming to dull the sound a bit. Highly recommend the locking Faber.
 

dnabbet2

Active member
Joined
May 31, 2017
Messages
211
I went through a couple of soul-searchings with a Robbie Krieger LP that needed repairs and that I thought I'd set up as a "regular" 1954-style Les Paul Custom.

I tried using a Faber bridge on it -- and I have a Faber on a Standard 80 and think it's swell -- but the high E-string didn't sound equal to the others in volume and sustain. So I went back to the Gotoh "Nashville" style bridge the Robbie Krieger came with.

Nashvilles are fine, and they provide more intonation adjustment. And a Faber ABR-1 for vintage appearance is a good choice. But I don't consistently hear the difference.
 

Old School

Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2017
Messages
48
Faber yields a little more bass and less treble in my experience.

It’s pretty easy to replace saddles or have them slotted…
What does slotted mean? Is that to file the bit where string goes through.
 

CK6

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 5, 2020
Messages
449
What does slotted mean? Is that to file the bit where string goes through.
Correct, filing the saddles is important as the Faber simply comes with “starter” slots. Buzzing or a sitar type sound is usually a direct result of the Saddles not being properly filed.
 

gmann

Well-known member
Joined
May 26, 2003
Messages
6,147
Correct, filing the saddles is important as the Faber simply comes with “starter” slots. Buzzing or a sitar type sound is usually a direct result of the Saddles not being properly filed.
You can get the Faber either way, slotted or not.
 

SpencerD

Active member
Joined
Mar 11, 2016
Messages
910
I was taught a li'l ole trick from a long time professional guitar tech/player dude about slapping an ABR-1 on a guitar.

Wait until you want to change strings,DON'T take them off. Slack 'em -- place ABR ( please don't forget adapter posts! 😮 -- if you need them)

Put your new old style bridge on, tune, set intonation and you are done! 🤘

The new strings will be just fine. IMHO and all that.
 

Old School

Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2017
Messages
48
Correct, filing the saddles is important as the Faber simply comes with “starter” slots. Buzzing or a sitar type sound is usually a direct result of the Saddles not being properly filed.
Yep. have that now, havent had chance to file yet, gonna get a set up anyway. Previous to the previous owner put the Faber with vintage screws and siliconed them in the metal screw hole for Nashville style screws, lol. seriously.
 
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