New ABR1 redesign…

[charliechitlins]

This could be the only place on earth where pot metal is desirable.

 

[GreenBurst]

I ordered 4 torpedo bridges from Gibson. I’ll let you all know Monday. I have already tried the TH 2018 bridges with ABM brass posts and wheels. Also added custom CNC fatter saddles and the acoustic volume and tone was totally different. I look for that greasy, needs a fret job tele tone and increases sustain on a moaner.

Exactly how does this ABR-1 form factor change impact tone? Or is it the material content changes (ie cast metal)? If the latter, what is the change and what exactly is happening?

 

[JimPridx]

I ordered 4 torpedo bridges from Gibson. I’ll let you all know Monday. I have already tried the TH 2018 bridges with ABM brass posts and wheels. Also added custom CNC fatter saddles and the acoustic volume and tone was totally different. I look for that greasy, needs a fret job tele tone and increases sustain on a moaner.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts about the Gibson bridges!

 

[djcmusician]

My 2024 R9

https://imgur.com/XfesV6d

 

[matkoehler]

Hey Mat! Late to the party here, but I'm just curious as to whether or not the metallurgy makeup of the new bridge body has changed at all? Your first line here suggests that may be the case. There have also been a few reports that this newer bridge sounds different from the previous one, and I'm wondering if there's any truth to this? Thanks in advance!

I think you missed the context from the previous thread posts -- but no, it has been Zamak all along. I do think the new features I listed are going to positively impact tone and experience, though -- namely the snug post holes and tighter saddles.

 

[matkoehler]

All of my 2018 and up seem to have a slight magnetism. Strange.. I had to get a spot off the end of one and it’s thin playing with copper underneath.

That would be from the nickel plating on both counts -- the substrate (strike layer) of nickel plating is copper.

 

[matkoehler]

This could be the only place on earth where pot metal is desirable.

Right?! Ha.

 

[JimPridx]

I think you missed the context from the previous thread posts -- but no, it has been Zamak all along. I do think the new features I listed are going to positively impact tone and experience, though -- namely the snug post holes and tighter saddles.

Well, the only reason I ask is because Zamak is essentially a generic term that can be comprised to form a number of different alloys consisting of zinc, aluminum, magnesium, copper, etc., and it seems that any particular mixture can result in a slightly different tonal result than another. Comparing other manufacturer's bridges with one another who all claim to use the same materials often times reveals this to be true in the opinions of many guitarists, so I was wondering if Gibson may have conjured up a new metallurgy recipe that might have varied from the previous one? If not, then the only explanation for some people claiming that the newer bridge "sounds different" would indeed point to the newer features of the bridge that you've stated.

 

[tonyfrancis]

Matt, maybe you guys could ad APO military addresses to your online shop's dropdown for states? I've got an ABR-1 in my cart but can't checkout....please?

 

[gmann]

Matt, maybe you guys could ad APO military addresses to your online shop's dropdown for states? I've got an ABR-1 in my cart but can't checkout....please?

A lot of manufacturers and dealers overlook this!

 

[charliechitlins]

Well, the only reason I ask is because Zamak is essentially a generic term that can be comprised to form a number of different alloys consisting of zinc, aluminum, magnesium, copper, etc., and it seems that any particular mixture can result in a slightly different tonal result than another. Comparing other manufacturer's bridges with one another who all claim to use the same materials often times reveals this to be true in the opinions of many guitarists, so I was wondering if Gibson may have conjured up a new metallurgy recipe that might have varied from the previous one? If not, then the only explanation for some people claiming that the newer bridge "sounds different" would indeed point to the newer features of the bridge that you've stated.

Zamak=pot metal.
Chromite=balsa.
I find terms like this to be disingenuous...but much of marketing is so.

 

[jb_abides]

Zamak=pot metal.
Chromite=balsa.
I find terms like this to be disingenuous...but much of marketing is so.

"Chromyte" is balsa. Chromite is a mineral.

Agree, the trade names are a bit much. But there's a long history of doing so, in many industries, as useful jargon not just nefarious marketing... 1907 Bakelite, anyone?

 

[J T]

"Torpedoed" one of my R9s...

The bridge is a nice no wire. Fit exactly on the posts. I didn't use the thumbwheels and posts this time, but I may do that sometime in the future.

I there a difference in tone? Hmmm. Can't tell.

I like the smooth ends. One thing that came to mind after I installed it and tuned it up. The saddle slots are 90 degrees to the bridge sides. However the bridge is at an angle relative to the strings. Probably not a big deal, but I can file them next time I have the guitar out. But Gibson knows the bridges are at an angle, why don't they file the saddles to match the angle?

Oh well here are the before and after shots..

 

[JimPridx]

"Torpedoed" one of my R9s...

The bridge is a nice no wire. Fit exactly on the posts. I didn't use the thumbwheels and posts this time, but I may do that sometime in the future.

I there a difference in tone? Hmmm. Can't tell.

I like the smooth ends. One thing that came to mind after I installed it and tuned it up. The saddle slots are 90 degrees to the bridge sides. However the bridge is at an angle relative to the strings. Probably not a big deal, but I can file them next time I have the guitar out. But Gibson knows the bridges are at an angle, why don't they file the saddles to match the angle?

Oh well here are the before and after shots..

The new bridge has a nice, vintage look to it! That's indeed a nice touch on behalf of Gibson!

Regarding any differences in tone, if you're not hearing anything noticeable, I'd have to assume that the new bridge body is likely built from the very same material makeup as the previous PBBR-059. For better or worse, the one thing many of us have noticed over the years is that the modern Gibson ABR-1s don't sound quite the same as the 50s originals or the 60s wired ones, so I've always held the belief that the metallurgy makeup of the newer bridges isn't quite the same. I may be entirely wrong about that, but it's been a topic that's been debated over and over again for a long time now.

About the pre-slotted saddles, I tend to think that the intention is to basically locate them in the center so that it's easier for many of us to file the slots. It just so happens that the centered slots work well on my two LP-style guitars but, of course, that may not be the case for many guitars. From what I can tell by looking at a few photos of the pre-cutted slots on the new saddles, they're only slightly indented, so it appears that a very light touch-up with the proper gauge files to correct the angle should be easy enough to do. The trick is to file them with a light touch and to not file them too deep.

Anyway, the new bridge looks great! Thanks for sharing!

 

[J T]

Yes the bridge looks great, doesn't it? Thanks!

As far as the saddles go, as has been mentioned earlier here, the biggest difference is the old saddles with the fine sharp point and the new flat top saddles. That extra bit of contact must make some difference.

They sent the new thumbwheels and posts with it. Maybe Ill try doubling the thumbwheels like some do and see what happens.

 

[Any Name You Wish]

I like the sexy new look of the bridge. Slotting the saddles isn't exactly a quick and casual process, so I think I'll leave well enough alone. As far as changing the tone, you can't exactly A/B it since you have only one of a particular guitar and it takes some time to swap it out and reset. I do not trust my hearing perception from hour-to-hour