Tune-o-Matic bridge height adjustment US vs Far Eastern

jaymenon · July 25

Metric vs US bridges

I realise it’s a ‘set once and forget it’ type of thing - but it seems to me this slot head screwdriver adjustment of the far eastern Bridge is a lot more practical than the thumb wheel of the US model (Pictures below)

Are there any other definitive benefits of the US model bridge?

thermionic · July 25

At first I agreed with you, then changed my mind. You need the right tool to adjust the cheap bridge, the original you just use your fingers.

ICBM · July 25

The definitive benefit of the US one is that it looks right to people who associate the large posts and screwdriver slots with cheap far-east guitars, since that first became a distinctive difference about fifty years ago.

Actually, the taller saddles with deeper grooves on the far-east ones are arguably *better*, as they reduce the problem of strings contacting the back edge of the bridge or jumping out of the grooves… but they do look less elegant. (And are a slight risk to your hand, as they can be quite sharp!)

It’s probably arguable that they sound different too, although it’s hard to directly compare since they’re not interchangeable due to the post size difference.

p90fool · July 25

I would argue that the screwdriver slot ones encourage you to adjust it without slackening the strings enough, with all the potential slipping, gouging, loss of an eye etc.

ICBM · July 25

p90fool said:

I would argue that the screwdriver slot ones encourage you to adjust it without slackening the strings enough, with all the potential slipping, gouging, loss of an eye etc.

That is true… and also chewing up the slots by using the wrong size screwdriver.

A bit like chewing up the stopbar slots by using the wrong tool - any screwdriver. The right one is a coin, they were designed like that on purpose! That’s why the slot has a curved bottom.

Danielsguitars · July 25

I don't like inserts on bridge posts so I don't use them, one actually fell out of a early 2000s Gibson LP standard, I don't really like the look either.

I use faber bridges now which are nicely made and have notched saddles

This isn't a one is better than the other post just my own preference.

jaymenon · July 25

Danielsguitars said:

I don't like inserts on bridge posts so I don't use them, one actually fell out of a early 2000s Gibson LP standard, I don't really like the look either.

I use faber bridges now which are nicely made and have notched saddles

This isn't a one is better than the other post just my own preference.

What's an insert on a bridge post?

Danielsguitars · July 25

jaymenon said:

Danielsguitars said:

I don't like inserts on bridge posts so I don't use them, one actually fell out of a early 2000s Gibson LP standard, I don't really like the look either.

I use faber bridges now which are nicely made and have notched saddles

This isn't a one is better than the other post just my own preference.

What's an insert on a bridge post?

It's the bit that goes into a body and the post gets screwed into it, the original posts are drilled directly into the body and use thumbwheels, the insert is much bigger.

You can see the insert in the bottom pic with the slot head screw adjuster screwed in.

WezV · July 25

Danielsguitars said:

jaymenon said:

Danielsguitars said:

I don't like inserts on bridge posts so I don't use them, one actually fell out of a early 2000s Gibson LP standard, I don't really like the look either.

I use faber bridges now which are nicely made and have notched saddles

This isn't a one is better than the other post just my own preference.

What's an insert on a bridge post?

It's the bit that goes into a body and the post gets screwed into it, the original posts are drilled directly into the body and use thumbwheels, the insert is much bigger.

You can see the insert in the bottom pic with the slot head screw adjuster screwed in.

what he said,

this is the big insert style you often see of far eastern guitars

Image: https://www.blackdogmusic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/MBT606-post-web-all.jpg

This is the traditional ABR1Gibson version, screwed straight into wood

Image: https://rvb-img.reverb.com/image/upload/s--kn71ZAXI--/f_auto,t_large/v1688094036/dr7jjsaswvchi2nji2vx.jpg

and there is also a Gibson Nashville version with a smaller insert

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Tune-o-Matic bridge height adjustment US vs Far Eastern

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