ABR BRIDGE vs ROLLER SADDLE STYLE ???

[Guitar Cat]

I'm new to owning an inexpensive Gibson/Epi style guitar.
Is there any advantage in replacing the ABR style bridge that's on the guitar with the roller saddles?
Thanks for any help.

 

[Discharged]

Re: ABR BRIDGE vs ROLLER SADDLE STYLE ???

If the guitar has a Bigsby, it'll help with eventual string breaking at the saddle point due to friction.
If not, then no.

/Peter

 

[dystrust]

Re: ABR BRIDGE vs ROLLER SADDLE STYLE ???

If the guitar has a Bigsby, it'll help with eventual string breaking at the saddle point due to friction.
If not, then no.

/Peter

+1

Unless the guitar has a Bigsby, you don't need and probably don't want roller saddles.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: ABR BRIDGE vs ROLLER SADDLE STYLE ???

I like roller saddles on my Tom Style bridges
On my strat style bridges too

When bending notes the strings appear to return more easily to pitch

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: ABR BRIDGE vs ROLLER SADDLE STYLE ???

I like roller saddles on my Tom Style bridges
On my strat style bridges too

When bending notes the strings appear to return more easily to pitch

Yeah. It depends on your playing style. If you don't do much string bending then it won't make much difference. If you do a lot of big string bends it will make a slight difference, not dramatic

 

[formula73]

Re: ABR BRIDGE vs ROLLER SADDLE STYLE ???

I’ve got ABR-style bridges on all my stuff and if you have tuning issues, it’s the nut.

Roller bridges are goofy and unnecessary, imho.

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

ABR BRIDGE vs ROLLER SADDLE STYLE ???

Friction at the bridge saddle or the nut will cause tuning issues since the string has to slide over both of them. Since the bridge has metal saddles, and because of the way they are shaped, it’s more prone to get stuck in that slot. That’s also where the string usually breaks.

ABR bridges are archaic crap. Anything is better. Since lots of roller bridges are a little wider it’s a better alternative.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[formula73]

Re: ABR BRIDGE vs ROLLER SADDLE STYLE ???

Archaic crap...lol k bud.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: ABR BRIDGE vs ROLLER SADDLE STYLE ???

I'm not a ABR1 fan. I prefer Nashville or roller bridges because of their increased intonation ability and width.

I never have strings break at the saddles of any of my guitars (over 50 of them). The only times I have ever broken strings it was at the ball end from a defective string, or at the tuner shaft from a sharp bur (which I promptly remove and smooth). But either of those is pretty rare.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: ABR BRIDGE vs ROLLER SADDLE STYLE ???

Rollers help with a Bigsby or Vibrola and IMO are almost a must for Les Trems or Stetbars that have a wider range. Except for those cases I avoid roller bridges.

If the problem is breakage rather than tuning, string-saver saddles might take care of it. Graphite saddles are also available.

I, too, prefer the Nashville bridge over a traditional ABR. But I don't generally change out ABRs unless adding a trem. They're good enough, and period correct.

 

[dystrust]

Re: ABR BRIDGE vs ROLLER SADDLE STYLE ???

Nashville and ABR bridges sound different and my preference largely comes down to the guitar it's on. I like ABR bridges on Les Pauls and 335s because Nashville bridges seem to have too much bass. With my Explorer it's exactly the opposite; the stock Nashville bridge sounds great, while an ABR bridge sounds like thin, nasal poo. My SG is a bit of an oddball where both bridges sound good, just different. I have a Nashville on there now because IMO it makes the P-90 coils in my P-Rails sound closer to an SG Special with the wrap-around bridge.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: ABR BRIDGE vs ROLLER SADDLE STYLE ???

I'm glad you hear a difference. I can't hear any difference at all.