ABR1 & tailpiece - strange modifications?

ta6rma · Nov 29, 2017

Hi, I just acquired a '68 LP goldtop, changing strings I had a look at the bridge as it seemed to have sagged.
Once it was off I could see it had definitely sagged, however it looks like the base has been filed right down and the bass side mount is filed thinner than the treble side.
Also the tailpiece has been ground out underneath the post slots.
I've ordered some repro parts to replace them but just wondered if anyone has seen anything like this before, and what the reason could be? I've heard of filed bridges on guitars with shallow neck angles, but the bridge on this one sits quite high.
Thanks, Rich

Zentar · Nov 30, 2017

The bridge doesn't matter. Look at the radius of the saddles. That looks proper.

Wilko · Nov 30, 2017

Bridges can be straitened too. That one may have been on another guitar for a while too.

ta6rma · Nov 30, 2017

Zentar said:
The bridge doesn't matter. Look at the radius of the saddles. That looks proper.

yes the guitar actually plays pretty well with quite a low action, however the bass side thumbwheel is being forced at an angle due to the way the bridge bends up at the ends, think I'm better off with a new bridge

ta6rma · Nov 30, 2017

Wilko said:
Bridges can be straitened too. That one may have been on another guitar for a while too.

Yeah all I can think is that the bridge has come from another guitar with a really shallow neck angle. Still no idea about the tailpiece however!

Zentar · Nov 30, 2017

I would take this to a luthier. This may be a little tricky but not expensive. A luthier will know what to do but also what not to do.

F-Hole · Nov 30, 2017

Two pieces of wood, placed either side of the bridge, then into a vice. Slowly increase pressure until it's straight. Leave for a few days to settle, then it'll be good.

Jumping@Shadows · Nov 30, 2017

Personally, if I’d paid the premium you did from David Pym for such a clean and original guitar, I’d want him to replace the parts with correct ones- the ground down bridge goes beyond any fairly typical sagging issue, and I think the tailpiece has been Dremel sanded to fit narrower spaced studs. I think I have a ‘60s chrome PAT No bridge, but those short seam chrome featherweight stoptails (in fact NOS ‘50s plated chrome), are not easy to find and pricey..

J.D. · Nov 30, 2017

That bridge body is a hot mess and IMHO is not salvageable. It will sag again after straightening.

I'd question what is wrong with the guitar to warrant this bridge modification before simply replacing it.

ta6rma · Nov 30, 2017

Jumping@Shadows said:
Personally, if I’d paid the premium you did from David Pym for such a clean and original guitar, I’d want him to replace the parts with correct ones- the ground down bridge goes beyond any fairly typical sagging issue, and I think the tailpiece has been Dremel sanded to fit narrower spaced studs. I think I have a ‘60s chrome PAT No bridge, but those short seam chrome featherweight stoptails (in fact NOS ‘50s plated chrome), are not easy to find and pricey..

I've had another good look at the tailpiece. The inside of the slots looks to be untouched, the chrome plating seems intact, the dimensions are the same as my 2013 R9 and '63 335.
Perhaps the grinding on the underneath is to make it sit lower on the stud posts? :hmm

ta6rma · Nov 30, 2017

J.D. said:
That bridge body is a hot mess and IMHO is not salvageable. It will sag again after straightening.

I'd question what is wrong with the guitar to warrant this bridge modification before simply replacing it.

The guitar plays great, neck is straight, nice low action. The bridge doesn't sit low so I am starting to suspect this bridge has come from another guitar...

Wilko · Nov 30, 2017

that bridge is all screwed up. The nylon saddles were used on 1968 guitars, so keep those, just get a new/old ABR body. They are easy to straighten with an arbor press, and if you raise the tailpiece a bit, it won't sag again for a long time. I've straitened tons of these.

ta6rma · Dec 4, 2017

Wilko said:
that bridge is all screwed up. The nylon saddles were used on 1968 guitars, so keep those, just get a new/old ABR body. They are easy to straighten with an arbor press, and if you raise the tailpiece a bit, it won't sag again for a long time. I've straitened tons of these.

Good advice, thanks, I've ordered a late 60s ABR bridge body, $45 from Vintage Correct Parts, will use the existing saddles.
I might have a try at straightening the collapsed bridge later.

ABR1 & tailpiece - strange modifications?

ta6rma

Member

Zentar

New member

Wilko

All Access/Backstage Pass

ta6rma

Member

ta6rma

Member

Zentar

New member

F-Hole

Well-known member

Jumping@Shadows

Well-known member

J.D.

Well-known member

ta6rma

Member

ta6rma

Member

Wilko

All Access/Backstage Pass

ta6rma

Member