Stop Tailpiece: Aluminum vs. Zinc

[jamisonlps]

Don't forget the bushings are just as important. Not sure what Gibson is currently using but steel bushings are "vintage correct" I believe. Mine are brass, I've got some 1" steel inserts that I'm gonna install soon.

So steel or brass bushings, steel or brass studs, zinc or aluminum tailpiece. That's eight possible combinations there!!!!

 

[Minibucker]

Got a regular zinc one on a chambered Deluxe w/ P90s, and an aluminum one on a recent traditional with hums. Both seem to be the most complimentary where they reside...the heavier one adding some more bid/resonance to the chambered/P90, the aluminum giving more air and snap to the more solid one with HBs.

More thoughts/observations in this older thread:

http://www.lespaulforum.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2391434#post2391434

 

[latestarter]

On my '56 Special, alloy works a treat - it's a thick sounding focussed guitar. That adds some airiness. On my '62 Special, alloy is no good...too airy and not focussed...zinc is waaay better.

Different tools for different needs.

 

[gypsyseven]

I´m pretty happy with the stock bridge and tailpiece on my 2002 R6...

 

[bluesjuke]

That should be aluminum on the '02 & up.

 

[orangedrop]

Has anyone tried a steel or a brass TP? :wah

 

[latestarter]

Not on a Les Paul but I've tried various metals on Gretsch bar bridges...real differences to be had. For some reason the bridge on my 335 looks like copper...which I find very strange and it can't be right, Can't really see it here super wellbut you get the idea...might try and get a better shot and see what the consensus is. It's a modern Gibson no wire ABR.

 

[latestarter]

 

[orangedrop]

Maybe that's part of the plating process? The brass look I mean.

 

[bluesjuke]

Not on a Les Paul but I've tried various metals on Gretsch bar bridges...real differences to be had. For some reason the bridge on my 335 looks like copper...which I find very strange and it can't be right, Can't really see it here super wellbut you get the idea...might try and get a better shot and see what the consensus is. It's a modern Gibson no wire ABR.

What year is this?
I note the vey low bridge.

Is this a '58?

 

[jamisonlps]

That looks like the Historic non wire ABR that Gibson has made by Advanced Plating in Nashville. Just heavily aged, was this stock, aftermarket? Was the guitar bought used?

 

[latestarter]

It's a real 1960 ES335 and this and the tuners I had to replace. And yes, heavily aged modern abr. So what material would this be made from? Thanks

 

[efk]

I'm pretty certain it's still a zinc/pot metal bridge that is first hit with a copper base plating to (1) provide a uniform surface and (2) provide better adhesion for the final nickel plating. Because it's heavily aged, you're seeing the absence of nickel and looking at the copper plating underneath. I think that's a good look you've got going on there.

 

[latestarter]

Right, that now makes sense. Thanks. And thank you on the look - the rest of the guitar is naturally heavily worn from 52 years of playing so the bridge was a good find. I think I paid $28 in a no reserve auction. Says Gibson ABR1 underneath. The tuners were Kluson repro's and DMC tips. The corners needed some rounding but the colour wasn't too bad. There's a big thread somewhere here...will try and find it.

http://www.lespaulforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=177626&highlight=1960+es-335

That old thread reminded me of the journey all over again...the guitar looks even better now with 20 odd gigs since restoration...the new lacquer looking more muted/old.

 

[ptrickamp222]

I took the stop tail off of my '62 RI Guitar Center Ltd. LP/SG CA. 2005 for the looks. They didn't have VOS then and put it on my 2007 R9 Faded Tobacco for the aged look. Very light and goes good with the Throbaks 101+ with aged covers. Sounds Killer. Have no idea what the studs and bushings are. It sounds so good I really don't care. But will stick a magnet to it now just for GP. See how this place gets to you!!!!!!:wah

 

[David Currie]

I came here after realizing the 2024 Epiphone ES-355 1959 reissue didn't come with their usual locking bridge, rather it has Gibson's traditional light-weight aluminum tailpiece Gibson used in '59. Dave Wilson (RIP) at Tone Quest Report uesd used to write about this issue, but I can't seem to remember his opinion...I think it was using a light tailpiece on Les Paul models, and heavier tailpiece on ES-335/45/55 models. That seems to correlate with most of the opinions here. The comment about the importance of bushings and studs is important to consider, the vibrations have to vibrate through both before reaching wood. This is now the year 2025 (the world still exists?!), and there are many aftermarket sellers of components that didn't exist a few years ago, many options available. Gibson seems to be making the best guitars in their history, the 2022 LP Special I traded for is "special" and has quickly become my favorite. The neck, finish, and pickups are superior to my 25 yo LP Specials. It has a wraparound bridge, so I replaced it with Music City Bridge "Savvy" bridge and locking bushings, the studs are still stock for now. Musicians are fortunate to have more choices than ever, but is the world as we know it about to end...?