I just bought my dream guitar, its a 76 SG standard reissue. It's almost perfect. I want to outfit it with an aluminum tailpiece and a new bridge. Where is the best place to get these. also should i use chrome or nickel. Also what are the advantages to the aluminum tailpiece? Thanks so much
Aluminum Stop-tailpiece for gibson.
- Thread starter chad_svt
- Start date
Pandemonium
New member
Re: Aluminum Stop-tailpiece for gibson.
I'm curious about aluminum bridges and stops too. It seems to be more common on lap steels and pedal steels, some people swear by the tone. I can't see how just an aluminum stop on a guitar would make all that much difference, but I really don't know.
I'm curious about aluminum bridges and stops too. It seems to be more common on lap steels and pedal steels, some people swear by the tone. I can't see how just an aluminum stop on a guitar would make all that much difference, but I really don't know.
Pandemonium
New member
Re: Aluminum Stop-tailpiece for gibson.
Stew-Mac has an adjustable aluminum combination bridge stop for a LP Junior, doesn't say who makes it, also a Gotoh aluminum stop.
Stew-Mac has an adjustable aluminum combination bridge stop for a LP Junior, doesn't say who makes it, also a Gotoh aluminum stop.
Hellion
New member
Re: Aluminum Stop-tailpiece for gibson.
I haven't tried the aluminum tailpieces, but they do make them out of titanium, too. I'm not sure what the advantages would be, other than aluminum & titanium is a trifle more rigid, but in a piece that size I can't imagine there being a discernable difference. I've always like brass, because of its density. But again, that's my own preference.
I haven't tried the aluminum tailpieces, but they do make them out of titanium, too. I'm not sure what the advantages would be, other than aluminum & titanium is a trifle more rigid, but in a piece that size I can't imagine there being a discernable difference. I've always like brass, because of its density. But again, that's my own preference.
Jeff_H
Dean Hardtail Fanologist
Re: Aluminum Stop-tailpiece for gibson.
I've read somewhere that the Almuinum tailpieces contribute to the "tone" that people expect out of a vintage Les Paul, same should hold true for a SG. I seem to remember that the heavier nickle tailpieces dampened the sustain and energy transfer from the body.
Lew and others have far more knowledge on this than I, but when I order my custom 59' LP from Heritage, I'm going to go with the tonepro's locking aluminum tailpiece.
I've read somewhere that the Almuinum tailpieces contribute to the "tone" that people expect out of a vintage Les Paul, same should hold true for a SG. I seem to remember that the heavier nickle tailpieces dampened the sustain and energy transfer from the body.
Lew and others have far more knowledge on this than I, but when I order my custom 59' LP from Heritage, I'm going to go with the tonepro's locking aluminum tailpiece.
Fresh_Start
New member
Re: Aluminum Stop-tailpiece for gibson.
FWIW not all TonePros tailpieces are aluminum. In fact, the aluminum ones cost twice as much as the standard - $100 for chrome finish.
Check this out - Black Rose Customs has a "Featherweight" tailpiece from AllParts with set screws for $52.50.http://www.blackrosecustom.emerchan...797042474-2004161052-521511991&A=43&B=Bridges Hmmm, maybe some lawyer figured out how to offer this at a lower price...
Chip
FWIW not all TonePros tailpieces are aluminum. In fact, the aluminum ones cost twice as much as the standard - $100 for chrome finish.
Check this out - Black Rose Customs has a "Featherweight" tailpiece from AllParts with set screws for $52.50.http://www.blackrosecustom.emerchan...797042474-2004161052-521511991&A=43&B=Bridges Hmmm, maybe some lawyer figured out how to offer this at a lower price...
Chip
Re: Aluminum Stop-tailpiece for gibson.
The Allparts are well made and work just fine. Aluminum transfers vibration better than the heavy (and cheap) zinc alloy. It's a noticeable difference. Opinions vary on the Tonepros. I've tried them on several, properly set-up guitars, and I don't see or hear any advantage other than holding the bridge in place when the strings are off.
The Allparts are well made and work just fine. Aluminum transfers vibration better than the heavy (and cheap) zinc alloy. It's a noticeable difference. Opinions vary on the Tonepros. I've tried them on several, properly set-up guitars, and I don't see or hear any advantage other than holding the bridge in place when the strings are off.
That90'sGuy
DyzaBoyzologist
Re: Aluminum Stop-tailpiece for gibson.
Solid steel supposedly works wonders for strats like aluminum does for les pauls and other vintage gibsons.
Seems the energy transfer is much better and there is more clarity and sustain. I sure hope this is the case because I just ordered a Callaham steel trem block for my Grosh.
Solid steel supposedly works wonders for strats like aluminum does for les pauls and other vintage gibsons.
Seems the energy transfer is much better and there is more clarity and sustain. I sure hope this is the case because I just ordered a Callaham steel trem block for my Grosh.
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Aluminum Stop-tailpiece for gibson.
I have them in stock for $50. (including studs and mounting bolts) for the aluminum tailpiece with nickel plating and $60 for the gold plated version. Mine are the Allparts model made for Allparts by Gotoh. They are excellant and I've use them on all of my guitars that have a Gibson style stop tailpiece for a few years now.
Gibson used aluminum until about 1962, then they cheapened the product and started making them out of zinc "pot metal".
Zinc pot metal is about three times heavier than aluminum and resonantes differantly.
Aluminum has a more open acoustic quality to its tone whereas zinc sounds a little steelier...the diff is noticable to musicians tho a beginner might not pick up on the tonal diff right away.
All of the vintage Les Pauls from 1956 to 1960 and all of the vintage ES-335s from 1958 to 1962 have aluminum tailpieces.
My advice? Get one!
Tone Pros is a differant deal. They're all about locking every connection down tight: no loose parts. This does improve the bass response and sustain and eliminate buzzes and rattles. I like them too and I do stock and sell TonePros products. But I don't use them on any of my current guitars.
Lew
I have them in stock for $50. (including studs and mounting bolts) for the aluminum tailpiece with nickel plating and $60 for the gold plated version. Mine are the Allparts model made for Allparts by Gotoh. They are excellant and I've use them on all of my guitars that have a Gibson style stop tailpiece for a few years now.
Gibson used aluminum until about 1962, then they cheapened the product and started making them out of zinc "pot metal".
Zinc pot metal is about three times heavier than aluminum and resonantes differantly.
Aluminum has a more open acoustic quality to its tone whereas zinc sounds a little steelier...the diff is noticable to musicians tho a beginner might not pick up on the tonal diff right away.
All of the vintage Les Pauls from 1956 to 1960 and all of the vintage ES-335s from 1958 to 1962 have aluminum tailpieces.
My advice? Get one!
Tone Pros is a differant deal. They're all about locking every connection down tight: no loose parts. This does improve the bass response and sustain and eliminate buzzes and rattles. I like them too and I do stock and sell TonePros products. But I don't use them on any of my current guitars.
Lew
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papersoul
New member
Re: Aluminum Stop-tailpiece for gibson.
Good stuf in this post Lew!
I had the opportunity to try a Tone Pros system on a friends guitar and can honestly say that the difference wasn't very noticable. I am going to try the Aluminum tailpiece I bought from Pigtail music on my LP very soon. I tried it a while bakc but I also changed everything else at the time...pots...caps....pickups....so it was an unfair test.
I do remember the aluminum tail contributing to a more acoustic tone when unplugged, but I can't comment on the amplified tone because I had changed too many variables at the time.
I think the concept or end result is similar to what you hear with a wrap around tail and especially with the PRS wrap around as I have a McCarty. PRS uses a brass bridge/tail with the wrap around design and it I think it contributes to an acoustic quality and to clarity.
I want to also say that some people get scared off when they hear the term vintage. I play a lot of heavy modern music, but I can make vintage pickups work in that realm as well as an aluminum tail. If vintage in this case of an aluminum tail means a bigger, more open, and acoustic tone....count me in.
Good stuf in this post Lew!
I had the opportunity to try a Tone Pros system on a friends guitar and can honestly say that the difference wasn't very noticable. I am going to try the Aluminum tailpiece I bought from Pigtail music on my LP very soon. I tried it a while bakc but I also changed everything else at the time...pots...caps....pickups....so it was an unfair test.
I do remember the aluminum tail contributing to a more acoustic tone when unplugged, but I can't comment on the amplified tone because I had changed too many variables at the time.
I think the concept or end result is similar to what you hear with a wrap around tail and especially with the PRS wrap around as I have a McCarty. PRS uses a brass bridge/tail with the wrap around design and it I think it contributes to an acoustic quality and to clarity.
I want to also say that some people get scared off when they hear the term vintage. I play a lot of heavy modern music, but I can make vintage pickups work in that realm as well as an aluminum tail. If vintage in this case of an aluminum tail means a bigger, more open, and acoustic tone....count me in.
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Aluminum Stop-tailpiece for gibson.
Thanks! Yes, I'd say that the aluminum tailpiece lends a more acoustic tone to a Les Paul. It's subtle, but real. The aluminum tone just sounds less steely...I much prefer aluminum. Maybe Doc Barlo will comment...I see he's lurking around and reading this thread! Lew
Thanks! Yes, I'd say that the aluminum tailpiece lends a more acoustic tone to a Les Paul. It's subtle, but real. The aluminum tone just sounds less steely...I much prefer aluminum. Maybe Doc Barlo will comment...I see he's lurking around and reading this thread! Lew
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Aluminum Stop-tailpiece for gibson.
I DO NOT hear aluminum talipieces sounding BRIGHTER. I hear them as sounding softer, rounder, more "open", woodier and more resonant. All the good things we like about good tone.
Less Steeley...not more steely. Those are just words though.
So is "better" but that's what I hear: better tone. More "vintage".
I DO NOT hear aluminum talipieces sounding BRIGHTER. I hear them as sounding softer, rounder, more "open", woodier and more resonant. All the good things we like about good tone.
Less Steeley...not more steely. Those are just words though.
So is "better" but that's what I hear: better tone. More "vintage".
TwofacePimp
New member
Re: Aluminum Stop-tailpiece for gibson.
Hi Lew, not to hijack the thread, but does Tonepros make an aluminum tailpiece in a chrome finish (not nickel)? My LP sees a lot of action and nickel tends to tarnish very quickly for me. Most places carry either nickel or chrome, and I haven't found one that carries the whole product line or carries that particular item.
Also, does anyone make the actual bridge (not the tailpiece) out of aluminum, and would this even matter tonewise?
Thanks!
Lewguitar said:
Hi Lew, not to hijack the thread, but does Tonepros make an aluminum tailpiece in a chrome finish (not nickel)? My LP sees a lot of action and nickel tends to tarnish very quickly for me. Most places carry either nickel or chrome, and I haven't found one that carries the whole product line or carries that particular item.
Also, does anyone make the actual bridge (not the tailpiece) out of aluminum, and would this even matter tonewise?
Thanks!
papersoul
New member
Re: Aluminum Stop-tailpiece for gibson.
Lew, you are a smart man and yes those are good things about good tone. I believe those attributes carry over into all genres of music clean to heavy. I prefer my guitar to have a warm, rich, acoustic, round, open, resonant tone and let the amp do the rest even if I want to melt the walls with metal tones. I haven't been as happy with my Paul since I went back to the stock zinc tailpiece and recall some of the best tones I had found were with the Rio Grande humbuckers and aluminum tail.
The manufacturer told me the tail piece would make my tone brighter and more articulate.
What about the ABR-1 bridge vs. the Nashville on Pauls? I hear the Nashville is brighter and the ABR-1 warmer? My friend get some of the best tones I've heard and his is a stock '89 LP with Nashville. I would think if I were changing the tailpiece, I'd want to also change the bridge.
I wish Gibson would use some better quality parts to really put their guitars over the top. PRS uses a brass wrap around bridge which sounds awesome.
I may pick up an aluminum tail for my Dean Evo Deluxe.
Lewguitar said:
Lew, you are a smart man and yes those are good things about good tone. I believe those attributes carry over into all genres of music clean to heavy. I prefer my guitar to have a warm, rich, acoustic, round, open, resonant tone and let the amp do the rest even if I want to melt the walls with metal tones. I haven't been as happy with my Paul since I went back to the stock zinc tailpiece and recall some of the best tones I had found were with the Rio Grande humbuckers and aluminum tail.
The manufacturer told me the tail piece would make my tone brighter and more articulate.
What about the ABR-1 bridge vs. the Nashville on Pauls? I hear the Nashville is brighter and the ABR-1 warmer? My friend get some of the best tones I've heard and his is a stock '89 LP with Nashville. I would think if I were changing the tailpiece, I'd want to also change the bridge.
I wish Gibson would use some better quality parts to really put their guitars over the top. PRS uses a brass wrap around bridge which sounds awesome.
I may pick up an aluminum tail for my Dean Evo Deluxe.
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