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Replacement bridge for 58r?

O Riley

Member
Joined
Jan 22, 2021
Messages
85
While getting ready to change strings on my 58, I noticed the holes on the bridge were bigger than the posts.
I did a quick search here and didn't find anything about this issue.
Quick fix just getting a replacement that fits tighter or what?
When tuned up, I could actually move the bridge back and forth a little on the posts.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
 

Señor Verde

Active member
Joined
Jan 13, 2005
Messages
621
I've found the same with every ABR-1 type bridge. It should want to move forward due to the strings and downforce from the tailpiece, then once it's in place up against the posts it shouldn't move. If you decide that you really want a different bridge, I've put Faber locking bridges on 3 guitars and like them. To my ears, the non-locking Faber dulls the sound a bit.
 

O Riley

Member
Joined
Jan 22, 2021
Messages
85
Thanks guys. I've just never noticed it before.
I'll just push it forward after restringing from now on.

Also, does decking the tail piece do anything significant ?
It's all the way down on the R8 but, a bit above on my standard.
 

Señor Verde

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Jan 13, 2005
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621
Moving the tailpiece up and down does change the sounds and feel a bit. I have mine all the way down, just because I like it out of the way. I also like how the guitar plays and sounds that way.
 

O Riley

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Joined
Jan 22, 2021
Messages
85
My question about the tail piece came from the fact that my r8 was decked and the standard not so much.
I do like the way it looks and feels all the way down but, after having some new pic ups installed on the std.
it had been adjusted up a bit.
 

Señor Verde

Active member
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Jan 13, 2005
Messages
621
You can adjust it up and down yourself. Shouldn't affect the intonation or anything at all and you can always lower it all the way down again if you like.
 

El Gringo

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Apr 8, 2015
Messages
5,657
All of my Gibson's with ABR-1 have never moved forward or backwards . Sounds to me that you should have a good tech check this guitar out before you go changing out parts that might be fine and not need it and this could save you money as well . It could just be that It needs a good set up ?
 

O Riley

Member
Joined
Jan 22, 2021
Messages
85
Well this ought to be fun.
All I did was just drop by Bryan Parris guitar shop and repairs, just to have him check out a couple of things on the 58r.
We did notice a dramatic buzz on the low E string?
I had just changed the strings and thought it was just the new string...naw...it's the nut...we can fix that if you want.

Picking her up tomorrow, with a new bone nut and a once over inspection....:cool:
 
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El Gringo

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Apr 8, 2015
Messages
5,657
Seems extreme to me to replace a nut over one buzzing string ? The scar left behind will remind you of this as well .
 

O Riley

Member
Joined
Jan 22, 2021
Messages
85
We feel a guitar nut made from bone is the best for your tone. Over time you may notice your guitar strings buzzing on open notes. This open string buzz is usually caused by nut slots that have worn down from playing and tuning your guitar up and down. The guitar strings are touching the first fret and they shouldn’t be! This can be quite annoying when your trying to play your acoustic or electric guitar in any situation.

There is however, a solution. It’s time to have your guitar nut replaced by a professional. We will often fabricate nuts made from bone. We start from a bone blank and fabricate the nut to fit your guitar the way that it should. A lot of guitar manufacturers will use synthetic materials for acoustic guitar nuts to cut down on costs however we a guitar nut fabricated from bone will bring new life into your acoustic or electric guitar.
Our customers like them and so will you.

This taken from my good friend, James Hood.
@ James Hood Guitars.
 
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rockabilly69

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 29, 2001
Messages
2,872
Sometimes it just something in the nut that needs to be cleaned out, and frankly I think they knee-jerked when they went right to replacing the nut. Sometime I just run a bit of sanding cord through slot and goodbye buzz. Most Gibson nuts are not slotted deep enough from the factory so you have some room to work with! Sometimes it's just the string, sometimes it a rough saddle slot at the bridge.

And I don't think bone sounds better than other materials. Original bursts never used bone, and aren't they the gold standard? I do most of the upkeep on my acoustic guitars which I use to make my living over 200 gigs a year (so I wear out a lot of parts), and many times I've preferred the sound of Tusc over bone! I think it comes down to how good the nut is cut/filed/finished.
 

El Gringo

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Apr 8, 2015
Messages
5,657
That is all fine and dandy and it doesn't matter what I think or anyone else does . It's all about the owner/player of the instrument . I have never had open strings buzzing .This is such an easy fix with Big Bends Nut Sauce and if it requires it a little bit of sand paper in the nut slot . Just be careful you don't take away to much of the 6/6 Nylon nut which is self lubricating .
 

JW1951

New member
Joined
May 13, 2021
Messages
1
Hi. This is a common issue with this type of bridge and this is my solution ....
Set the height of the bridge then cut two short lengths of heat shrink tube . Just cut it so it doesn't stick out above the top of the bridge. Heat the heat shrink tube being careful not to damage your guitar ( wrap something like an old T shirt or cloth around the bridge just in case ).
I have done this on my R58 & R59 LPs an it works really well. Just use the smallest heat shrink tube that will fit over the post.
So no need to buy new bridge. Hope this helps. God luck.
 

O Riley

Member
Joined
Jan 22, 2021
Messages
85
Sometimes it just something in the nut that needs to be cleaned out, and frankly I think they knee-jerked when they went right to replacing the nut. Sometime I just run a bit of sanding cord through slot and goodbye buzz. Most Gibson nuts are not slotted deep enough from the factory so you have some room to work with! Sometimes it's just the string, sometimes it a rough saddle slot at the bridge.

And I don't think bone sounds better than other materials. Original bursts never used bone, and aren't they the gold standard? I do most of the upkeep on my acoustic guitars which I use to make my living over 200 gigs a year (so I wear out a lot of parts), and many times I've preferred the sound of Tusc over bone! I think it comes down to how good the nut is cut/filed/finished.
All very true. In hind sight I could have just said, thanks, let me think about it, and left. But the thought of getting a new bone nut was sort of cool.
It's all done now and plays fantastic. I had them do a fret dress as well and I put 10's back on instead of 9.5.
I'm really very happy with it.
 
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rockabilly69

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 29, 2001
Messages
2,872
All very true. In hind sight I could have just said, thanks, let me think about it, and left. But the thought of getting a new bone nut was sort of cool.
It's all done now and plays fantastic. I had them do a fret dress as well and I put 10's back on instead of 9.5.
I'm really very happy with it.
Well I'm glad that you are happy with it, as that's all it comes down to anyway! Enjoy it!
 

Flogger

Active member
Joined
Sep 23, 2008
Messages
555
As far as the tailpiece height goes, as long as the string's only contact point is the top of the saddle, anything goes,

DO NOT let the strings touch the back of the bridge. it will cause the bridge posts to lean forward. Post lean is a thing with old Les Paul's.
 
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