Les Paul bridge replacement

robdynamite

Hey all,

so my bridge has inevitably collapsed on my 91 Les Paul custom (or at least is collapsing) and I’m looking to get a replacement. 

I believe I’m right in saying that this is a nashville? (Apologies that it’s the wrong way round) 

https://imgur.com/a/2WngeVO

I’m looking for a recommendation for a solid replacement. It’s currently a faber (which I believe is stock on a ‘91 custom, correct me if I’m wrong there though) any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

timmypix

Yep, that's a Nashville bridge, and my first recommendation would be for another Faber. Tonepros if you want locking.

ArchtopDave

I like Faber…… It just so happens that Feline stock them amongst other good products.

FelineGuitars

https://felineguitars.com/collections/faber/products/faber%C2%AE-abrn-nashville-bridge?variant=31803066712162

stickyfiddle

Faber kit is epic, in general. 

Gibson have never fitted them stock though. The one you have there looks like a stock Gibson Nashville bridge

guitars4you

Faber all day long as far as I'm concerned - And chat to Jon @FelineGuitars if you are unsure which size etc as he is great to deal with

three_little_birds

The faber bridge is good.  It adds warmth but on the wrong guitar can be a bit dull sounding.

Iv recently tried a few types on a les paul.  I preferred the sound of the hosco and KMS on my guitar though.  Both made the guitar sound more lively.

robdynamite

nice one, thanks very much for all the help once again. much appreciated!

rlw

three_little_birds said:

The faber bridge is good.  It adds warmth but on the wrong guitar can be a bit dull sounding.

Iv recently tried a few types on a les paul.  I preferred the sound of the hosco and KMS on my guitar though.  Both made the guitar sound more lively.

KMS made of what, out of interest?

sweepy

A big +1 for a Faber Bridge, beautifully engineered and yes, it did sound more lively 

Seziertisch

rlw said:

three_little_birds said:

The faber bridge is good.  It adds warmth but on the wrong guitar can be a bit dull sounding.

Iv recently tried a few types on a les paul.  I preferred the sound of the hosco and KMS on my guitar though.  Both made the guitar sound more lively.

KMS made of what, out of interest?

KMS offer brass and zamak.

I saw on another forum @jumping@shadows praising the zamak version for sounding close to a vintage ABR-1. Huw Price was also similarly complimentary. 

Philly_Q

Presumably any stock Gibson bridge, Nashville or ABR-1, is zamak or similar?  (With a few exceptions over the years, that is.  I think there was an aluminium one on some recent models, although perhaps aluminium seems more suited to tailpieces than bridges.)

three_little_birds

rlw said:

three_little_birds said:

The faber bridge is good.  It adds warmth but on the wrong guitar can be a bit dull sounding.

Iv recently tried a few types on a les paul.  I preferred the sound of the hosco and KMS on my guitar though.  Both made the guitar sound more lively.

KMS made of what, out of interest?

I've got one of the zamak ones.  I've not tried the brass.

YourArsenal87

Another vote for Faber. Got a Faber bridge and tailpiece for my 1980 Tokai LS80 and they are great quality.

robdynamite

robdynamite said:

Hey all,

so my bridge has inevitably collapsed on my 91 Les Paul custom (or at least is collapsing) and I’m looking to get a replacement. 

I believe I’m right in saying that this is a nashville? (Apologies that it’s the wrong way round) 

https://imgur.com/a/2WngeVO

I’m looking for a recommendation for a solid replacement. It’s currently a faber (which I believe is stock on a ‘91 custom, correct me if I’m wrong there though) any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

upon ordering a faber, which has slightly wider holes, i've found that it's a schaller and the tailpiece is faber. The overall footprint of the faber bridge is much smaller than the schaller in it's place which to be honest, makes it seem a little weird looking so i'm going to try and find a schaller to replace it but i don't suppose anyone knows if a tonepros would fit? As the schallers are incredibly more expensive than all others. Trying to find comparable measurements for the various companies/bridges is actually a lot harder than i would've thought!

https://imgur.com/a/qHLnlbg

Philly_Q

The Schaller's a Nashville type and the Faber's an ABR-1 type.  If it was a new guitar I'd have no hesitation in saying a TonePros Nashville type would fit, but since it's 30-odd years old I'm not sure if the specs might have changed slightly.  If you measure the spacing of the mounting holes and check the TonePros specs, it should be fine.  Note that TonePros do "narrow post" and "wide post" versions.  You want the narrow posts.

mudslide73

I'd look for some conversion posts and fit the Faber ABR-1. I've had Faber bridge and tailpiece but have a Callaham ABR-1 now with conversion studs. I'd swap to a Callaham tailpiece too but £120 seems a bit much.