Nashville to Gibson ABR-1 Brigge Conversion

[EFLOW]

Hi,

I want to install a Gibson ABR-1 bridge on my Gibson SG, I hate the big Nashville

The Gibson SG is Trans Black finish, so I choose black inserts. My question is about the ABR-1 bridge , which one is the best ?

Gibson ABR-1, Faber ABRH , Tonepros , Philadelphia Luthier Tools ? Thank you for your help !

 

[Doc Sausage]

It's been several years since I installed three of them on three different LP's. I can't remember if one was a genuine Gibson part or not but I feel like it was. One of mine on a black custom came with brass saddles. They're pretty tarnished now and look a little "vintagey". I think at least one was a Tone Pro. Not much help I know but I do like the look. No playing issues whatsoever. And functional!

 

[RayTorvalds]

I have very good experiences with Faber myself. I've done multiple Nashville to ABR-1 (locking and non-locking) conversions and I've been very happy with them. Faber makes really good stuff.
From the choices you mentioned, I would go with Faber.
Just my 2c.

 

[Wilko]

For the is conversion I don't recommend pulling the bushes as they are nice and seated. You'll never get better coupling than that.

Just use conversion posts like these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Conversion-...017648?hash=item19e9ff7df0:g:k~wAAOSw5VFWIrqI

 

[Don]

I've used the Faber studs that get threaded right into the body. I think an 8 x 1mm tap was required. They worked great on the Les Paul and ES-135 that I used them in.

 

[EFLOW]

For the is conversion I don't recommend pulling the bushes as they are nice and seated. You'll never get better coupling than that.

Just use conversion posts like these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Conversion-...017648?hash=item19e9ff7df0:g:k~wAAOSw5VFWIrqI

This is exactly what I use . Only the insert color is different.

I prefer black because the Gibson finish.

 

[lonesomesheik]

Callaham is not a bad choice either:hmm

 

[1allspub]

I have the Philadelphia Luthier ABR-1 Nashville Conversion bridge (in nickel) on one of my LP Trads... it's great.

I also have a CreamTone ABR-1 Nashville Conversion bridge (again, in nickel) on my other LP Trad... and it's great as well... that said, I'm pretty sure they are the exact same bridge and that the CreamTone folks either buy them from Philadelphia Luthier or buy them direct from the same source as Philadelphia Luthier... they literally exactly the same (same with their lightweight aluminum tailpieces). Anyway, you can spend more on a bridge, but these are certainly quality pieces and I don't feel the need to have anything else. Work perfectly, intonate perfectly, great tone & sustain, etc, etc.

 

[garywright]

I have very good experiences with Faber myself.
Just my 2c.

me too ...that's what I put on my R9 a couple months ago ( nickel w/raw brass saddles )

 

[Adrian J]

I did a similar mod to my LP Trad and went the Faber route. Can't now remember exactly which of their's I bought, but I do remember that the installation was a breeze. I was nervous at first as I'd only ever previous worked on the nice easy to disassemble/reassemble Fenders. But my nerves were misplaced and the conversion went without a hitch and (to my ears at least) improved the tone of the guitar significantly!!

 

[Ship]

For the is conversion I don't recommend pulling the bushes as they are nice and seated. You'll never get better coupling than that.

Just use conversion posts like these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Conversion-...017648?hash=item19e9ff7df0:g:k~wAAOSw5VFWIrqI

Why don't more people use this method? I was watching a lot of videos and everyone pulls them out and taps the new ones in while I watch and cringe.

 

[EFLOW]

I have the Philadelphia Luthier ABR-1 Nashville Conversion bridge (in nickel) on one of my LP Trads... it's great.

I also have a CreamTone ABR-1 Nashville Conversion bridge (again, in nickel) on my other LP Trad... and it's great as well... that said, I'm pretty sure they are the exact same bridge and that the CreamTone folks either buy them from Philadelphia Luthier or buy them direct from the same source as Philadelphia Luthier... they literally exactly the same (same with their lightweight aluminum tailpieces). Anyway, you can spend more on a bridge, but these are certainly quality pieces and I don't feel the need to have anything else. Work perfectly, intonate perfectly, great tone & sustain, etc, etc.

That' s right, Philadelphia Luthier ABR-1 Bridge and Gibson ABR-1 Bridge are exactly the same parts, they come from the same factoty.

For my Trans Black SG I choose black inserts, Philadelphia Luthier conversion posts and Genuine Gibson ABR-1 bridge :note

 

[EFLOW]

Do you know if Callaham sale separately those studs ?

Thanks

 

[VintageWoodWorkshop]

For the is conversion I don't recommend pulling the bushes as they are nice and seated. You'll never get better coupling than that.

Just use conversion posts like these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Conversion-...017648?hash=item19e9ff7df0:g:k~wAAOSw5VFWIrqI

In my experience with two Nashville equipped Gibson's, the bushings we're not very tight in the body. Pulling them and using the Faber studs that screw into the body (after tapping) made a huge difference in resonance. It was night and day and turned a good guitar into an awesome guitar in one case (the es335 in my avatar)

 

[flognoth]

I've had good results with the Faber bridge and inserts too. They feel solid.

 

[rockabilly69]

For the is conversion I don't recommend pulling the bushes as they are nice and seated. You'll never get better coupling than that.

Just use conversion posts like these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Conversion-...017648?hash=item19e9ff7df0:g:k~wAAOSw5VFWIrqI

I have changed bushings on LPs (carved top and Specials), Firebirds, and SGs, and there was not one case where the Gibson bushings were in tight. The bushings that come with Faber bridges are german steel as opposed to the pot metal used on the Gibson Nashville bridges, and they seat deeper and tighter into the wood! the Faber bushings are on the right.

There's a Faber Tone-Loc ABR sitting in those German Steel bushings on three of my favorite guitars...

 

[wizardmc]

Per Gibson, the stock saddles are zinc.

 

[EFLOW]

Here is my SG Std Translucent Ebony with upgrades.

KLUSON Revolution tuners (GForce removed)
Les Paul Historic trussrod cover
GraphTech TUSQXL adjustable nut
Custom Les Paul tenon cover
5 ply 60° bevel Custom shop pickguard
Wizz Premium M-69 Custom humbucker rings
Historic Switchcraft tip, heavy knurled Switchcraft nut
Gibson ABR-1 Bridge, with black adapters
Vintage repro knobs

Black inserts are tight into the body, inserts and studs are glued with Loctite 648, strong retainer compound

 

[EFLOW]

Bridge conversionon my Standard, I removed the Nashville bridge. For the conversion I use the new Faber INsert studs and a Gibson ABR-1. Faber are strongly adjusted in body holes. With brass saddles the SG sound really better and what good vibrations and a nice vintage style !

 

[EFLOW]

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