jalguitarman
Junior Member
What is the difference between the two? are there any advantages of one over the other? I lack knowledge about this one, so any info appreciated.
ABR and Nashville bridges.
- Thread starter jalguitarman
- Start date
oilpit
Active member
Re: ABR and Nashville bridges.
Supposedly ABR-1s have better sustain because they screw directly into the body, the tradeoff is that they are nowhere near as adjustable as Nashvilles.
To be honest I don't really care about any of that, I just think that Nashville bridges look horrible...
Long story short, there isn't a huge difference...
Supposedly ABR-1s have better sustain because they screw directly into the body, the tradeoff is that they are nowhere near as adjustable as Nashvilles.
To be honest I don't really care about any of that, I just think that Nashville bridges look horrible...
Long story short, there isn't a huge difference...
Wattage
High Voltologist
Re: ABR and Nashville bridges.
I've had both on the same guitar, an early 90's LP Special. I came stock with an ABR and when I needed to sort of overhaul the guitar after a decade or so I changed over to a Nashville.
The posts on the ABR go directly in to the wood as mentioned the Nashville into ferrules similar to the tailpiece. The dimensions of the ABR are thinner and do not allow for as much travel for the saddles as the slighty wider Nashville, the ABR saddles are also held down by a retaining wire where the Nashvilles are held down by the metal face of the bridge. The bottom of the ABR is closed while the Nashville is open. There are likely a few things that are escaping me but that's the bulk of it I guess.
In my less than scientific findings the Nashville made the guitar "chimey" and took away some of the warmth while making it easier to intonate and less aggravating since the wire was gone. I don't know what contributed to the additional ring that the guitar picked up whether it was just the different metals (both were Gibson brand), the construction or that the posts now sat in metal as opposed to mahogany. I switched because the original posts were bent so far forward and it seemed like a good solution at the time.
Faber makes a very nice ABR style bridge that fits on Nashville posts btw, it doesn't have a retaining wire either. I really like the Tone Pros/Gotoh Nashville bridge, it has a closed bottom, locks down and I have yet to have one lose its arch they way every Gibson one I have had does.
ABR-1
Nashville
I've had both on the same guitar, an early 90's LP Special. I came stock with an ABR and when I needed to sort of overhaul the guitar after a decade or so I changed over to a Nashville.
The posts on the ABR go directly in to the wood as mentioned the Nashville into ferrules similar to the tailpiece. The dimensions of the ABR are thinner and do not allow for as much travel for the saddles as the slighty wider Nashville, the ABR saddles are also held down by a retaining wire where the Nashvilles are held down by the metal face of the bridge. The bottom of the ABR is closed while the Nashville is open. There are likely a few things that are escaping me but that's the bulk of it I guess.
In my less than scientific findings the Nashville made the guitar "chimey" and took away some of the warmth while making it easier to intonate and less aggravating since the wire was gone. I don't know what contributed to the additional ring that the guitar picked up whether it was just the different metals (both were Gibson brand), the construction or that the posts now sat in metal as opposed to mahogany. I switched because the original posts were bent so far forward and it seemed like a good solution at the time.
Faber makes a very nice ABR style bridge that fits on Nashville posts btw, it doesn't have a retaining wire either. I really like the Tone Pros/Gotoh Nashville bridge, it has a closed bottom, locks down and I have yet to have one lose its arch they way every Gibson one I have had does.
ABR-1
Nashville
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uOpt
Something Cool
Re: ABR and Nashville bridges.
I haven't been brave enough to take a small ABR-1 post hole and drill it up to Nastyville holes to record the difference. Hard to undrill in case the ABR-1 post is better and I estimate if there's a difference the ABR-1 post wins. It's on the testing list but has been for a while.
I doubt that given same materials(!) there is an audible difference between the actual bridges when both sit on Nashville posts. But both the base bridge material and saddles come in variety of materials. And then there is saddle looseness, e.g. on the Gotoh stuff.
I haven't been brave enough to take a small ABR-1 post hole and drill it up to Nastyville holes to record the difference. Hard to undrill in case the ABR-1 post is better and I estimate if there's a difference the ABR-1 post wins. It's on the testing list but has been for a while.
I doubt that given same materials(!) there is an audible difference between the actual bridges when both sit on Nashville posts. But both the base bridge material and saddles come in variety of materials. And then there is saddle looseness, e.g. on the Gotoh stuff.
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Re: ABR and Nashville bridges.
The limited adjustment range and wire on the ABRs is a pain, yes, but I think it's more than made up for by the increased allowable break angle over the bridge, which I think translates to sustain and resonance from the increased tension and pressure.
The limited adjustment range and wire on the ABRs is a pain, yes, but I think it's more than made up for by the increased allowable break angle over the bridge, which I think translates to sustain and resonance from the increased tension and pressure.
jalguitarman
Junior Member
Re: ABR and Nashville bridges.
I have every intention of using a quality set up. either Gibson or tone pros. May check out Callaham tonight. Thanks all for you help.
IanBallard
New member
Re: ABR and Nashville bridges.
The Callaham is pricey but it's made of billet steel and not ZinCrap and they don't use wire to suspend the saddles. It's also important to note that if the bridge is placed properly to begin with, there isn't as much need to adjust the saddles.
To me, the Nashville is merely a compromise because Gibson simply HAS to make bridges out of crap metal so they beefed it up for that purpose.
The Callaham is pricey but it's made of billet steel and not ZinCrap and they don't use wire to suspend the saddles. It's also important to note that if the bridge is placed properly to begin with, there isn't as much need to adjust the saddles.
To me, the Nashville is merely a compromise because Gibson simply HAS to make bridges out of crap metal so they beefed it up for that purpose.
uOpt
Something Cool
Re: ABR and Nashville bridges.
FWIW, at least for the metric bridges the TonePros is just a $20 Gotoh with 2 holes. I have both here.
The $20 Gotoh is definitely not pure zinc, and I doubt an other Nashvilles are. Tailpieces usually are. The Gotoh seems to be high quality steel but the saddles are just too loose for my taste.
I think at this time I have no Nashville guitars left, just ABR-1 bearers.
FWIW, at least for the metric bridges the TonePros is just a $20 Gotoh with 2 holes. I have both here.
The $20 Gotoh is definitely not pure zinc, and I doubt an other Nashvilles are. Tailpieces usually are. The Gotoh seems to be high quality steel but the saddles are just too loose for my taste.
I think at this time I have no Nashville guitars left, just ABR-1 bearers.
Wattage
High Voltologist
Re: ABR and Nashville bridges.
Hmm the sddles in my TP/Gotoh stuff are not loose that I am aware of? So much better quality than what is coming stock these days I didn't really look to over think it.
The Nashvilles may have been a compromise over the harmonica bridges but I don't know that they are any more durable. The one on my '05 LP collapsed within the year of buying it and the SG I just changed as a pre-emptive strike. The Epi's I change immediately because I can't stand the extra tall saddles they use on top of just being made of the crappiest pot metal.
Hmm the sddles in my TP/Gotoh stuff are not loose that I am aware of? So much better quality than what is coming stock these days I didn't really look to over think it.
The Nashvilles may have been a compromise over the harmonica bridges but I don't know that they are any more durable. The one on my '05 LP collapsed within the year of buying it and the SG I just changed as a pre-emptive strike. The Epi's I change immediately because I can't stand the extra tall saddles they use on top of just being made of the crappiest pot metal.
Bludave
New member
Re: ABR and Nashville bridges.
They both work. As Ian said if the bridge is placed where it is supposed to be intonation is never a problem on either. I have several Gibsons and many of them have ABR bridges and a few have the Nashville. On both I had to flip the G string saddle to get it to intonate properly but other then that no major issue.... well one. On the Nashville bridge the strings have a tendency to ride on the back of the bridge behind the saddle. I am not certain if this is due to the construction of the bridge or if it is due to the neck angle, but it can become an issue with breaking strings. Raising the stop bar some can help but this really needs to be evaluated on the individual guitar that the bridge is going on. Some people due to this wrap the strings over the top of the stop bar. I tried it, but really didn't like the way it felt to me.
They both work. As Ian said if the bridge is placed where it is supposed to be intonation is never a problem on either. I have several Gibsons and many of them have ABR bridges and a few have the Nashville. On both I had to flip the G string saddle to get it to intonate properly but other then that no major issue.... well one. On the Nashville bridge the strings have a tendency to ride on the back of the bridge behind the saddle. I am not certain if this is due to the construction of the bridge or if it is due to the neck angle, but it can become an issue with breaking strings. Raising the stop bar some can help but this really needs to be evaluated on the individual guitar that the bridge is going on. Some people due to this wrap the strings over the top of the stop bar. I tried it, but really didn't like the way it felt to me.
King IzzO)))
Ultimate Kitten Puncher
Re: ABR and Nashville bridges.
The nashville SUCKS. Gibson really needs to start using better parts for what they're charging. Gotoh, Tonepros or Schaller would all be far better options.
The nashville SUCKS. Gibson really needs to start using better parts for what they're charging. Gotoh, Tonepros or Schaller would all be far better options.
King IzzO)))
Ultimate Kitten Puncher
Re: ABR and Nashville bridges.
I have no idea what you're talking about, I have 2 tonepro bridges and I've had several small post Gotohs and I've never noticed any rattle from any of them. The Nashville on the other hand...
I have no idea what you're talking about, I have 2 tonepro bridges and I've had several small post Gotohs and I've never noticed any rattle from any of them. The Nashville on the other hand...
