BRIDGES

FPSBelarus

FPSBelarus

New member
Hi! I`m looking for a new tune-o-matic bridge, so I found this one:
41pFZEGxF0L._SX300_.jpg
It is a gotoh TOM, but it says it has a longer saddle throw for improved intonation or something like that. I don´t know what that means, but it is going to be a problem? I don`t know if it works in every guitar. It also says it comes with large studs, is it fine or do I have to worry about something that things will cause?
Please help. Appreciate any advice.
Thanks.
 
Re: BRIDGES

What guitar are you putting it in? Thats a good starting point for us. Main things that matter are the post-spacing and the radius of your current studs.
 
Re: BRIDGES

Yep. Putting one of these things on is really easy if the post spacing, threaded post diameter, and thread pitch all match what you have. It can be a real bugger if you have a mismatch on any of these parameters.

The longer saddle throw can definitely be good for intonation. It can also be a little bit of a pain, if you're a stickler about TOM setup. For example, some players don't like to have the strings touching the body of the bridge between the saddles and the stop-tail. A longer saddle throw often means a bridge body that is wider (from back to front) and more likely to contact the string in that spot where you might not want it. Of course, you can raise the tailpiece to compensate, but some people don't like doing that, either. All in all, it's only an issue if it bugs you.

I've had several Gotoh TOM bridges, including the ones that (I believe) Gotoh has made for TonePros. Good stuff, and a nice upgrade from many factory bridges.
 
Re: BRIDGES

Kamanda~SD said:
What guitar are you putting it in? Thats a good starting point for us. Main things that matter are the post-spacing and the radius of your current studs.
Click to expand...
Actually I`m working on a flat top guitar. The idea is to shim the neck to create appropriate angle for using a TOM, drill new holes for the posts and then install a TOM and a bigsby.
 
Re: BRIDGES

Ummm… hmmmm… well, I don't usually see it done this way -- putting in a TOM bridge where there currently isn't one. It's usually easier when you're replacing one with another, so how about putting in a TOM you don't want, then replacing it with the Gotoh? :)
 
Re: BRIDGES

Not necessarily, Jessie.

FPSB, is the Gotoh bridge going to replace another, similar bridge or are you installing it into a guitar under construction? The stud inserts could be a stumbling block. So could issues of Imperial versus Metric screw thread pitches.

The term "longer saddle throw" simply means that the bridge offers a greater range of intonation adjustment than a traditional Tune-o-Matic whilst still looking normal. In the Seventies, Gibson/Norlin introduced a bridge design with far more saddle range but it looked fugly.
 
Re: BRIDGES

I'm in negotiations w/ the state of California. If all goes my way, the Golden Gate bridge will be going on my next project. I was going to opt for the Brooklyn bridge, but they've got a funny tone in Brooklyn.
 
Re: BRIDGES

That's a pretty good bridge. I've got several on my guitars and have had no problems with them.

Yes, on some guitars the string will hit on the back of the bridge, but that's not really a problem...it just means that you have too steep of an angle across the saddles anyway. I like to raise the stoptail to get a better angle, then I put washers underneath so I can screw it down tight to the body and retain the "proper" string angle.
 
Re: BRIDGES

Funkfingers said:
FPSB, is the Gotoh bridge going to replace another, similar bridge or are you installing it into a guitar under construction? The stud inserts could be a stumbling block.
Click to expand...
The guitar didn't come with a TOM, I'm going to drill new holes for the posts. I'm actually very inexperienced in this type of things, so I don't know if it's going to be easy(I really don't thing it is going to be like that).
You mentioned the stud inserts could be a stumbling block. What does that mean? It is going to be too difficult? What is the right way to install a TOM in a guitar that wasn't made for using a TOM? I thought that it was just drilling new holes for the posts that have a smaller diameter than the posts and then inserting them in the holes with a hammer. Is it possible or I have to do it another way?
Thank you all for your help
 
Re: BRIDGES

I'd suggest reading a lot more about how to do it before going any further. Dan Erlewine's book is a good place to start. You might also look at YouTube videos.
 
Re: BRIDGES

If the guitar currently does not have a TuneOMatic bridge, what does it have? What specific guitar model is this?

The model of guitar and what it currently has will affect how you should go about this. For example, if this is a Strat type with two pins that the bridge pivots on, trying to route/insert TuneOMatic studs may not work (without seriously filling in the bridge/body area and redrilling from scratch, which I would argue may not be a viable solution.)
 
Re: BRIDGES

You just need to drill two holes in the right spots to put that in. That's easy. Properly locating it is the important part. My approach would be a practical one as opposed to an academic one. In other words, don't just place it based on a measurement. I'd use angled wood shims to locate the bridge while strung up. Position the bridge such that intonation is correct, while still allowing you to go up or down in string gauge. Then drill pilot holes through the wood shims and into the guitar while it is still strung up.
 
Re: BRIDGES

Gotoh bridges are nice and solid. Much better than gibson TOMs. Good luck with your drilling/neck shimming. Let us know how it goes.
 
Re: BRIDGES

Don't forget that you'll also need to install a tail piece as well as the bridge. You have to anchor the strings.
 
Re: BRIDGES

I see disaster looming here. Gibsons have a fairly large backward tilt on the neck plus the negative angle of the top carve to get a TOM style bridge in there. I'd guess the 'shim' would have to be a wedge of wood the size of the neck rout......unless you want to rout the top to fit the bridge down lower.
 
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