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LP bridge and tailpiece metals

ELS

New member
Joined
Nov 14, 2022
Messages
1
I read that LP's sometimes had zinc tailpieces that weighed around 78-90 grams instead of the ~29-38 grams that the aluminum ones did, and sounded very bright and harsh compared to the aluminum ones (relative)
but what about the bridge? I heard some say it's a very special aluminum alloy, others say it's zinc...
and did the tailpieces also use this special aluminum alloy if it was a thing?
 

Emiel

Member
Joined
Oct 30, 2015
Messages
71
Maybe the moderators can move it?

I could be wrong, but it is my understanding that the bridges were ZAMAK (a zinc alloy including elements of aluminium, magnesium, and copper) with rather flat brass saddles. The thumbwheels and posts are brass, the tailpiece is aluminum and the studs and bushings steel. What composition each metal has, no idea but it properly makes some difference too.
 

Dishimyuh

Active member
Joined
Nov 4, 2005
Messages
1,206
Maybe the moderators can move it?

I could be wrong, but it is my understanding that the bridges were ZAMAK (a zinc alloy including elements of aluminium, magnesium, and copper) with rather flat brass saddles. The thumbwheels and posts are brass, the tailpiece is aluminum and the studs and bushings steel. What composition each metal has, no idea but it properly makes some difference too.
Yes, the bridges were Zamac and they affect the sound. Personally, I prefer the later "monkey metal" stop bars over aluminum.
 
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