Non adjustable Wraparound bridges. There is something about the stripped down unfussy approach that really appeals but before buying I am wanting to assuage a few nagging doubts
- Are Gibson and Prs bridges interchange? Checking the ABM spec for their bridges, the dimensions differ but for my purposes the stud spacing is key. There appears to be a 1mm difference in the stud centre to stud centre. Is this difference accommodated for by the difference in stud and bridge interface diameters?
- I play a lot of open stretchy chords up an down the neck. Would the intonation comprise manifest itself more readily than with blues licks and rock chords? (No disrespect intended, I thoroughly enjoy gurning my way through a power chord) Classical guitarists seems content with the comprise though my talent barely merits the comparison
- Are heavy strings accommodated for with the fixed compensation curve? Is the relative gauge pertinent here rather than absolute diameter?
Comments
2. The PRS bridge is pretty accurate. Intonation is still adjustable with the two small grub screws at the back, just not individually per string. (*Don't* adjust it under string tension, or you'll chew up the posts.)
3. As long as they have a plain 3rd, yes. I've set them up with everything from 9s to 11s - including 9-46s - and it's surprising how close you can get it.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
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You can buy various wrapovers - some have adjustable intonation that might help you - Some are fixed, either with raised 'saddle' or smooth like a tallpiece - But both are available with the G fixed for plain or wound 3rd - Wound 3rd is common on vintage models, but few now use a wd 3rd, so best to utilise a wrapover with plain 3rd intonation
Many who like drop tunings will use a wrapover with fully adjustable saddles
Have a look at something like the Graphtech Resomax bridge for something modern - Look at MojoAxe for more traditional
Playing an open string alongside a fretted arpeggio style notes further up the fingerboard will always test any intonation
PRS intonation is usually pretty good. They put the nut in a slightly different place to account for string tension. They actually had a patent on it, but I think it has expired by now. It's not as accurate as Earvana/Buzz Feiten etc but it does improve things over what you get on most guitars.
The PRS wrapover intonates very well with normal string gauges. You might struggle with 8s or 12s. You might struggle with a wound G