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Four Uncles ABR-1 bridge just in and...

bluesroom

Active member
Joined
Jul 17, 2001
Messages
443
I preferred the Four Uncles to the zinc Pigtail on my R7 and R6. It was very close on the R6 which had a very balanced tone to begin with using it’s stock wired ABR1.

I recently acquired a 2021 R9, I’ve not yet tried the Pigtail on it. The Four Uncles was different but the stock Gibson ABR1 sounded quite good with the R9. Did they change the ABR1s with the True Historic era parts?

Generally what I’m hearing with the Four Uncles, much like the Pigtail zinc is a reduction in high frequency “fizz” or “glare” and more of a round full tone. The Four Uncles takes it a little further but leaves plenty of bite.

Note: because I’ve been moving the Four Uncles around I have been using it with unnotched saddles. I’m told that might in itself lead to a slightly softer attack, but everything sounds good and the strings stay put even with bends/vibrato.
So if I used this with un notched saddles that should work fine? Is it correct that a light tap with a mallet with the string in place with seat the string ?
 

tdarian

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 25, 2008
Messages
3,575
So if I used this with un notched saddles that should work fine? Is it correct that a light tap with a mallet with the string in place with seat the string ?
Yes, and yes for the unwound strings on the mallet tap
 

CK6

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 5, 2020
Messages
449
All of these bridges are decent and will get you in the ball park, but one of the key elements is soft brass posts and brass thumbwheels.
 

tdarian

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 25, 2008
Messages
3,575
As I mentioned in an earlier post I’ve kept the stock bridge on the 2021 R9 for now. The high E string was glaringly bright, so I popped a Four Uncles saddle in that slot and the high E sounds like the B string just higher pitch. Way more change for the better than I’d hoped or thought would result.
 

Birdseye

Member
Joined
Sep 29, 2001
Messages
57
Ok, I’ve given the Four Uncle’s Bridge a shot, and I like it. I put it on a guitar that I was already happy with, a 2007 R6. The best sounding ABR-1 I’ve had previously on that guitar is the stock Gibson wired bridge, followed closely by a Pigtail zinc. The worst bridge on that guitar was the stock no-wire ABR-1 that came on my 2011 R7. The Four Uncle’s ABR-1 is slightly better yet that either the stock wired or the Pigtail on the R6. I’ve also tried the Faber as well as the ABM bell brass.

On my R7 the best I’d tried was the Pigtail, the worst was the stock bridge and the Faber was in between. The ABM brass bridge was waaaay too muted and compressed. The Four Uncle’s bridge was clearly better on the R7, more of a noticeable difference. It’s a brighter guitar than the R6.

The Pigtail ABR-1 has less top end “zing” than either the no-wire stock or the Faber,. That’s what I like about it. The wired ABR-1 is similar. The Four Uncle’s is a bit smoother even than the Pigtail.

I’ll be leaving the Four Uncle’s bridge on the R6, it’s the better sounding guitar overall for what I like to hear.

I have not notched the saddles. The info sheet that came with the Four Uncle’s ABR-1 indicates you can leave the saddles unnotched which is how things are currently.

So overall I’m giving the Four Uncle’s bridge a ratjng of 5 FUs, it’s that good 😊
Very interesting. I just got a 2007 R6 that has the stock wired bridge and also have a Faber sitting around that I never used. Seems like based on your test it would not be an upgrade. Or maybe it would, on my specific instrument. Might be interesting to see if I can replicate your results. I guess before that I will try to replace the thumbwheels with some brass ones. All fun stuff. I doubt I would care enough to drop the money on the 4U though, this guitar sounds fine even as is, good enough for me.
 

TM1

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 27, 2003
Messages
8,349
As I mentioned in an earlier post I’ve kept the stock bridge on the 2021 R9 for now. The high E string was glaringly bright, so I popped a Four Uncles saddle in that slot and the high E sounds like the B string just higher pitch. Way more change for the better than I’d hoped or thought would result.
I have Brass posts and Creamtone thumbwheels on all my guitars that have an ABR-1 bridge.
 

8ohms

Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2003
Messages
173
Yes, and yes for the unwound strings on the mallet tap
Way late on this post, but here goes anyway. When you use a mallet to set the strings you take a chance on bending the soft screws. I can tell you from my repair and personal experience, I have seen many damaged screws that don’t turn correctly and will not allow the saddle to sit correctly in the bridge as it goes through its rotation. It’s loose then tight, then loose again. It’s so much safer to score the saddle with a sharp exacto knife first, then use the appropriate gauge file to notch it. Don’t need much of a slot, just enough to seat the string.
 

Amp360

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Joined
Feb 16, 2012
Messages
852
Can someone post a before and after clip? I would like to hear the difference.
 

fernieite

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 3, 2010
Messages
609
Anyone compare the Cooper Musical bridge to the FU?
Aw, don't make me; damn it! :sneaky:
 

m bernardi

Active member
Joined
Jul 17, 2002
Messages
534
no one's interested in my test results with a 63 bridge , a 4 uncles ,and alimited edition crazy prats BRIDGE???
 

m bernardi

Active member
Joined
Jul 17, 2002
Messages
534
For some reason it won't let me put it up if you give me your email I'll send it to you somewhere in there it says that in one of my posts
 
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