I got my '06 R9 back in 2007 and since new its been a bit of a problem child due to horredous setup issues. Local luthier corrected improperly drilled bridge stud holes, and I replaced the poorly cut nut and ABR-1. The original issues thus corrected, the guitar never really "spoke." It was just somewhat dead sounding to me, particularly wihen I tried a Tonepros AVRII. Very disappointing. I recently bought a '19 R8 which came with the "no wire" ABR-1, a design I rememebr cursing back in the day. (Try crawing around on a stage looking for the saddle that fell out when you broke your high E!) Anyway, I've been blown away by the R8s tone, particulalry for a new guitar. I decided to try a "No Wire" on the R9 and BOOM, the darn thing woke up like sleeping beauty! Just thought I'd pass this along as a prop for for "No Wire", it may be just the ticket for you.
2006 R9 "No Wire" ABR-1 swap...big surprise!
- Thread starter SoK66
- Start date
Bruce R
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- Mar 2, 2007
- Messages
- 961
Nothing better than a guitar you've owned that has been brought back to life!
What brand of "no-wire" ABR-1 did you get? From Gibson?
What brand of "no-wire" ABR-1 did you get? From Gibson?
Señor Verde
Active member
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2005
- Messages
- 530
You may know this by now, but putting a drop of clear fingernail polish on the saddle screw near the screw head where it rests in the bridge keeps the saddle from falling out. Make sure the hguitar is intonated before you do this. 
I got the Gibson version. A friend suggests the Faber is another good one.