Advice for changing bridge on Chinese guitar

[eclecticsynergy]

I have two cheap Chinese solidbodies, both with import bridges which have the thick posts and large bushings in the body. I'd like to put an original style ABR-1 on one and a Nashville TOM on the other. I know there are conversion posts to do this on an Epi, but these posts are fatter than the Epi ones. Anybody know of such a part?

If not, I've wondered whether it might even be possible to replace the bushings in the body. I suspect the holes would be too large for Epi bushings, and I know they'd be too big for the US ones. Filling the holes with dowels would be an option (which would allow me to use the old style posts that screw directly into the wood without bushings) but I worry that might affect the tone and sustain. Has anyone here tried this, and if so, how did it turn out?

All advice and/or any other suggestions would be welcome.

Is there any hope?

 

[Darg1911]

Re: Advice for changing bridge on Chinese guitar

I dont own any Epi's but I thought for sure they they used the "standard" metric imports bushings. M8 thread bushings and 6.3 mm post heads. I believe there are one or two of the higer priced Epi LP's that use USA hardware, or the same size anyway. Maybe the same models that came with the Gibson pickups. Could very well be wrong on that though.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Advice for changing bridge on Chinese guitar

Check philadelphia luthier tools. They have some screw in converters. You also will need to check the hole centre spacing to see if the abr will fit.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Advice for changing bridge on Chinese guitar

Phila Luthier sells conversion posts to do this on an Epi, but these posts are fatter than the Epi ones.
Anybody know of a similar part that will fit the thick Chinese posts?

 

[uOpt]

Re: Advice for changing bridge on Chinese guitar

Gotoh makes a metric Nashville TOM. It is still pretty trashy but a lot better than stock.

I have never seen an Asian guitar with a ABR-1 style bridge that wasn't the same fitting as the US models. Pics?

 

[AlexR]

Re: Advice for changing bridge on Chinese guitar

If its a metric bridge then it should be a metric bridge.....I'll second the call for pics.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Advice for changing bridge on Chinese guitar

I've never seen an Asian guitar that had a real US style TOM. I guess the Edwards probably do. These ones look like the Epi bridges, and like the Epi's they adjust with a screwdriver rather than with thumbwheels like the thin-post USA bridges. There are bushings in the body into which the posts screw, instead of screwing directly into the wood. The posts look very much like Epi posts too, except the end where they screw in is a different size.

Here's a top view I took last year when I got the cheaper of the two. Would include side pics but the computer can't read files in my phone anymore. (Don't know what's up with that. I have family pics I want to save.)
View attachment 66124

The Phila Luthier listing says that Epi posts are 7.9mm thick and Chinese ones are 6mm. I'm pretty sure 6mm is what I've got, as confirmed by my somewhat cheesy plastic micrometer. But I measured one of my Epis (a 2014) with the same tool and its posts read 5mm. My 2010 Epi has posts that read 6mm. Has Epi used different sizes in different years?

Now I'm really confused.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Advice for changing bridge on Chinese guitar

Okay, I measured the bridge posts on my other Chinese guitar and as best I can tell they read 7.5mm. So probably these are the ones that Phila Luthier has conversion posts for.

This axe is far better quality than the cheapo. It's a one-off built to my specs with an odd body shape & long tenon neck joint, and they used better parts throughout- hardware is Wilkinson, which may be Korean made? The Wilkinson humbuckers actually sound quite good- I'm going to put them into the cheap guitar when I upgrade this one with a Shaw neck & a customshop Brobucker.

 

[Darg1911]

Re: Advice for changing bridge on Chinese guitar

Faber sells replacement post/bushing kits. You pull the import bushings and tap in the replacements which have a 4mm threaded post attached to it. They aren't cheap ($40+). They state that it fits their replacement ABR style bridges for imports. I don't see why it wouldn't work on any replacement that is made for the 4mm threaded posts. But at any rate, Faber makes some quality stuff. It's not cheap, but not the most expensive either. They also offer an ABR style bridge without the retaining wire which I would jump all over if I were looking to replace and original ABR. I hate that wire, import or USA.

Just check your post spacing before you buy/do anything.

Here's the Faber E-Sert conversion bushing/posts. http://www.faberusa.com/product-category/faber-bridge-studs/for-epiphone-others/

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Advice for changing bridge on Chinese guitar

Thanks Darg, that's exactly what I was looking for!

Ordered bushings/posts & bridge for the custom guitar, along with aluminum tailpiece & tone lock studs w/steel bushings. This one has a great playing neck and a light & very lively body. Well worth upgrading the hardware & pickups on.

Now what I'd like to find is a low cost alternative for the other one, which isn't worth putting that kind of money into. I could just transfer the Wilkinson hardware straight over when I take it off the good one... But in the long run I'd rather have an ABR-1 type bridge on it. Perhaps the Faber E-sert posts and a Gotoh ABR would be the way to go. Worlds better than the Chinese hardware. But still more than I really want to spend.

I have a broader range of possibilites than when I first posted, and I appreciate the help.

Any further suggestions would still be welcome.




PS: Yes, the spacing matches my Epi's - thanks for reminding me to make sure.

 

[Darg1911]

Re: Advice for changing bridge on Chinese guitar

Glad I could help. Hope it works out.

 

[daan]

Re: Advice for changing bridge on Chinese guitar

I've had a few asian import LP-style guitars that I've tried to get better bridge/tailpieces for. Usually what I run into, is that the actual HOLE in the body for the bushings to go into, is larger than any of the bushings I can lay hands on. You can get Gotoh, Tone-pro, etc etc bridges all day long, but if you still have to plug and re-drill the hole in the guitar, it's a LOT of work. Especially for a $100 guitar...

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Advice for changing bridge on Chinese guitar

I've had a few asian import LP-style guitars that I've tried to get better bridge/tailpieces for. Usually what I run into, is that the actual HOLE in the body for the bushings to go into, is larger than any of the bushings I can lay hands on. You can get Gotoh, Tone-pro, etc etc bridges all day long, but if you still have to plug and re-drill the hole in the guitar, it's a LOT of work. Especially for a $100 guitar...

Yah, I thought about that. It's why I'm doing the better guitar first- everything on that one matches the Epi hardware so I'm pretty sure I'm OK. The cheapo, not so confident. But I'm encouraged a little by the fact that the posts & bushings seem smaller on that one that the Epis. Have to take a closer look at the bushings themselves- last time I was focused on the posts.