Les Paul modern figured bridge

[dizzydog]

Hi, I recently purchased a Les Paul Modern Figured with cherry burst. Beautiful guitar, but one issue is the bridge. The radius doesn't seem to match the neck. The g & d strings seem to be very high compared to the others. It's like the bridge is 12" radius whilst the end of the compound nect is 16". Anyone experience similar?

 

[Subliminal lanimilbuS]

That is kind of odd. You usually want a little more height on the outer strings for bending and such. Are you sure the bridge is correct?

 

[jb_abides]

Hi, I recently purchased a Les Paul Modern Figured with cherry burst. Beautiful guitar, but one issue is the bridge. The radius doesn't seem to match the neck. The g & d strings seem to be very high compared to the others. It's like the bridge is 12" radius whilst the end of the compound nect is 16". Anyone experience similar?

That's exactly what it is 'per spec' .... some file the saddles to match.

 

[Subliminal lanimilbuS]

That's exactly what it is 'per spec' .... some file the saddles to match.

Does Gibson now make the middle strings higher per spec? That seems backwards.

 

[jb_abides]

Does Gibson now make the middle strings higher per spec? That seems backwards.

No, the Modern fretboard is 10-16" compound ... Gibson does not make a flatter bridge, so they affix a traditional Nashville, purposed for 12".

When I state 'to spec' or 'by design' I do not imply correct or optimal, just 'as intended' by Gibson.

 

[Subliminal lanimilbuS]

No, the Modern fretboard is 10-16" compound ... Gibson does not make a flatter bridge, so they affix a traditional Nashville, purposed for 12".

When I state 'to spec' or 'by design' I do not imply correct or optimal, just 'as intended' by Gibson.

I understand the fretboard, but that is pretty whacked. You think they would have the money to make a more proper bridge for those guitars. Something with an 18" radius would be much better.

 

[jb_abides]

I understand the fretboard, but that is pretty whacked. You think they would have the money to make a more proper bridge for those guitars. Something with an 18" radius would be much better.

Agreed

 

[dizzydog]

Great comments, thanks guys. I've ordered some radius guides to check the bridge. Also noticed you can get 16" radius bridges, not many but a few. I don't really want to file the stock bridge so I think I'll buy a replacement and see how that works. Gotoh ABR-1 or Gotoh GE104B, but these seem a little cheap to be putting on my baby and I can't find anything by the better makes.

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[dizzydog]

Just found this, Guyker GMA-009A Adjustable, so think I'll give it a shot

 

[poor man's burst]

.

 

[Subliminal lanimilbuS]

Not sure what type of bridge in on those moderns, but maybe you could find a replacement that is decent and solid and just file the saddles to your liking. Personally I prefer the saddles themselves to be brass or steel. If you get steel and your bridge is chrome or nickel you won't really notice it anyways. If your bridge is gold you won't really notice filing brass saddles either.

 

[charliechitlins]

... just file the saddles to your liking.

Winner

 

[Subliminal lanimilbuS]

Winner

Dang, I was thinking replacement bridge and file the saddles, but that is even better. Just buy some saddles.

 

[dizzydog]

Or, just found this Guyker "gma-009b". Fully adjustable, individual saddle height. I just wish one of the better makes would show innovation like this.

 

[jb_abides]

That's exactly what it is 'per spec' .... some file the saddles to match.

As I said...

 

[Subliminal lanimilbuS]

As I said...

Yes, it just needed to come to fruition as the OP didn't want to file the original saddles. Replacement bridge was an idea, but he couldn't find a lot of good choices. Just buying some saddles that match the original bridge and filing them would be the cheapest option. Still, however, it can sometimes be a pain with those stupid staple clips they use on the Nashville bridge. Nothing wrong with a replacement bridge with the proper radius either if the OP can find a good one.

 

[oxyen33d]

Hi, I recently purchased a Les Paul Modern Figured with cherry burst. Beautiful guitar, but one issue is the bridge. The radius doesn't seem to match the neck. The g & d strings seem to be very high compared to the others. It's like the bridge is 12" radius whilst the end of the compound nect is 16". Anyone experience similar?

Yeah that definitely sounds like the bridge radius is off or the saddles were set weird from factory. G and D sitting way high usually screams setup issue more than neck issue tbh. I’d measure the actual bridge radius before going insane swapping hardware.