Gibson SG bridge and gotoh nashville

[FuseG4]

So while adjusting the intonation on my SG, I adjusted the saddle on my G all the way back. I wanted to get it snug, and when I gave it another little turn, the screw head popped off. Clean off... So I'm ordering a new bridge.

The SG IS a nashville kind right? I've never familiarized myself with Gibson hardware specs. my tape measure sucks and so while I'm pretty sure I measured right, I think this will fit but am not sure.

It's the Gotoh, chrome nashville bridge with the regular studs and thumbwheels. Should be drop in right?

 

[AlexR]

Re: Gibson SG bridge and gotoh nashville

It all depends on the era. My '99 SG is still ABR, where the tune-o-matic piece sits on two thumbwheels, with threaded rod attached into the body (about 3-4mm wide).

My suggestion on a bridge is a Tonepro's. Well regarded and cheap enough too. It also has little locking grubscrews to hold the bridge firm against the rod....although this is probably not a feature of a nashville style bridge come to think of it.

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Gibson SG bridge and gotoh nashville

Mine's a 2010. the threaded posts go into bushings, and there's no retainer wire. That makes it a nashville, right?

 

[AlexR]

Re: Gibson SG bridge and gotoh nashville

Bushings make it Nashville. I'd still choose a tonepros though.

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Gibson SG bridge and gotoh nashville

I'll look those up. Thanks man.

 

[formula73]

Re: Gibson SG bridge and gotoh nashville

The Gotoh is a drop in, and a good one at that. I'd go for that one, as the Tone Pros actually IS a Gotoh with a couple setscrews, and the 'real' Nashville Tone Pros is a junk bridge made in China by Ping. For some reason, the Schallers just aren't coming in, anymore.

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Gibson SG bridge and gotoh nashville

Thanks. My gotoh bridge is now on its way.

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Gibson SG bridge and gotoh nashville

Got the new bridge today.
FREAKIN AWESOME!

Maybe something was wrong with the original bridge... something with the saddles or something, cuz on the old one I had to keep the saddles wayyy back or it wouldn't intonate.

Well this new bridge was a drop in replacement, and intonation was a breeze. Now my saddles have a "normal looking" stagger and everything's fantastic (+/- 1 cent when comparing 1st, 5th, and 12th frets vs the 12th fret harmonic ). The old bridge would maybe get within 3 cents on the G, it was always sharp above around the 9th fret.

I also had a dead spot at around the 11th fret on the G. The note still decays a little quicker than the next fret up or down, but it's not nearly as noticeable now.

Because of the construction of the bridge, I can screw my tailpiece much lower now. It's almost touching the body and the high E just barely touches the back of the bridge, so I'm gonna raise that side a little, but certainly not to the whole 1/8" it had to have before.

The guitar is acoustically louder now. That could be the strings, though.

 

[IanBallard]

Re: Gibson SG bridge and gotoh nashville

The main reason Gibson came up with the "Nashville" was because of their refusal to use anything but cheap pot-metal and the original ABR design's problem with wearing out at the saddle connection. Make the bridge unit out of steel, problem solved. Why won't Gibson make bridges out of steel? How much more could it really cost vs. the advantages of a thinner bridge that allows a better break-angle (better sustain). I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'll never recommend a pot metal bridge of any brand. Steel is the best (relatively affordable) material to construct bridges out of and doesn't sacrifice tone.

http://www.callahamguitars.com/abr1.htm

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Gibson SG bridge and gotoh nashville

I may have to look into those later. For now I'm saving up for some other stuff.