Sorry i am not familiar with area 59's ABR-1 but if you are after the closest to the old original get a Four Uncles. they are pricey($450 i think?) but worth it from what others that have bought it have said.Has anyone tried one? They have a 25% discount for a couple of days and I'm kinda interested.
How do they compare with the ones on VOS and Murphy Lab?
I have a Four Uncles, I bought brass thumbwheels from another company. Try changing just the thumbwheels as I’ve heard that’s the biggest change? I changed em both and it was significantly better than factory.I'm aware of the four uncles but I'm not willing to spend 500€ for a bridge and thumbwheels.
Both the Area59 and the Gibson Historic bridges are the exact same pieces. The Area59 bridges are also made by Advanced Plating (Advanced Plating makes the bridges and other parts for the Gibson Historic line). Area59 is the brand that CrazyParts puts on their line of the same Gibson Historic pieces. So caveat emptor to those claiming there is a difference between the Custom Shop and Area59.
My bridges are the most accurate, but they are sold out for now. I wish you luck!
Since your bridge is unavailable how is the Faber ABR-1 with brass saddles? The general consensus of players seems to be other than FU's bridge the Faber is the way to go?Both the Area59 and the Gibson Historic bridges are the exact same pieces. The Area59 bridges are also made by Advanced Plating (Advanced Plating makes the bridges and other parts for the Gibson Historic line). Area59 is the brand that CrazyParts puts on their line of the same Gibson Historic pieces. So caveat emptor to those claiming there is a difference between the Custom Shop and Area59.
My bridges are the most accurate, but they are sold out for now. I wish you luck!
How is it compared to the stock Abr1?Get a KMS.
In my opinion, most brand of ABR1s serve as a suitable replacement, but each accomplishes different things. I believe that if you have a relationship with your guitar and know your tone, then you’ll know what you need to get the goods. I don’t speak for the Four Uncles or Faber, but I am after vintage correct warts and all in the way I imagine the perfect ABR bridge would be. My goal might be different from yours, and I am incredibly particular about the shape too. For example, you can still buy 60’s ABR-1s (if thats your bag) for less than $350.00 and those ARE vintage with no sales or snake oil behind them. I don’t know what players you seem to speak for because anyone can make these “If Not A Then B” types of claims. Let’s cut to the chase though. Have you tried to ask Stephens Design or Four Uncles (No disrespect to Dave because he is great maker of pickups.) or consult one of Mr. Stephens’ many videos for sound advice because I was just told by a well respected source that according to the general consensus among players and musicians the world over that Mr. Stephens is the ultimate authority on all things under tonal minutiae and that the Four Uncles bridges are the GOAT?Since your bridge is unavailable how is the Faber ABR-1 with brass saddles? The general consensus of players seems to be other than FU's bridge the Faber is the way to go?
actually i did and found the Faber (To me!) sounded as good as the FU bridge for a LOT less hurt on the wallet!?In my opinion, most brand of ABR1s serve as a suitable replacement, but each accomplishes different things. I believe that if you have a relationship with your guitar and know your tone, then you’ll know what you need to get the goods. I don’t speak for the Four Uncles or Faber, but I am after vintage correct warts and all in the way I imagine the perfect ABR bridge would be. My goal might be different from yours, and I am incredibly particular about the shape too. For example, you can still buy 60’s ABR-1s (if thats your bag) for less than $350.00 and those ARE vintage with no sales or snake oil behind them. I don’t know what players you seem to speak for because anyone can make these “If Not A Then B” types of claims. Let’s cut to the chase though. Have you tried to ask Stephens Design or Four Uncles (No disrespect to Dave because he is great maker of pickups.) or consult one of Mr. Stephens’ many videos for sound advice because I was just told by a well respected source that according to the general consensus among players and musicians the world over that Mr. Stephens is the ultimate authority on all things under tonal minutiae and that the Four Uncles bridges are the GOAT?
This is a good example of the tone i like,Faber is a legendary name. All of the makers are great. You can’t go wrong. One thing the Germans are brilliant at is precision. I buy multiples of all the competition usually including FU, and Faber is extremely consistent, KMS machines their bridges to a work of art, and both sound great. I am glad you can sit through those videos because I can’t personally stand Dave’s playing and the way he plucks the notes. If old school tone is your thing, there are many combinations to getting this formula. For example, I am a Beano era fanatic and just by playing one lick (Bernard Jenkins), I know the bridge has got the goods. I ensure every bridge that goes out my door can play that one lick that tells me everything I need to hear. If you play and practice a lot like I do (this is a lifestyle), these tonal questions should be simple. I find the change in bridges alone is not as night and day as some people make out, and I make these bridges.