Gibson Explorer Replacement Bridge

Re: Gibson Explorer Replacement Bridge

Both of those are more expensive then I have ever paid. They must have jumped the price up.
 
Re: Gibson Explorer Replacement Bridge

Depends on whether or not you believe the strings somehow do not have enough tension to hold the components tightly against their mounting studs. If you don't, then pay for the TonePros. If you don't like the price, shop around.

Gibson sells replacement parts, and the LR Baggs T-bridge uses the same mini-me Gibson holes.

As far as I know, all stopbar and tuneomatic bridges are made to Gibson's spec, with the noted exception of the post holes for the bridges (big = import, small = Gibson).
Basically if you find a TOM with the small holes, they're Gibson-spec, because I can't imagine anyone being stupid enough to make replacement hardware that did not work with either the import big-hole mounting posts or Gibson's small-hole mounting posts.
 
Re: Gibson Explorer Replacement Bridge

DrNewcenstein said:
Depends on whether or not you believe the strings somehow do not have enough tension to hold the components tightly against their mounting studs. If you don't, then pay for the TonePros. If you don't like the price, shop around.

Gibson sells replacement parts, and the LR Baggs T-bridge uses the same mini-me Gibson holes.

As far as I know, all stopbar and tuneomatic bridges are made to Gibson's spec, with the noted exception of the post holes for the bridges (big = import, small = Gibson).
Basically if you find a TOM with the small holes, they're Gibson-spec, because I can't imagine anyone being stupid enough to make replacement hardware that did not work with either the import big-hole mounting posts or Gibson's small-hole mounting posts.
Click to expand...

If only it were that simple. You also need to be careful about stud spacing to ensure that a replacement bridge will fit.

Regarding Tone Pros, I mostly agree with DrNewcenstein but with one caveat. With a tune-o-matic bridge it's possible to accidentally move the bridge height adjustment during a string change which would necessitate fixing your setup. That can't happen with Tone Pros hardware because it's locked in place. Foolproof string changes sounded great when I first started playing Gibsons and would have issues knocking the bridge out of adjustment. These days I'm practiced enough that I haven't messed up my action in years. I'd also like to add that IMO the Tone Pros hardware itself is of inferior quality to something like Gotoh. In short a gimmicky not-really-needed feature plus lackluster hardware equals a rather poor value (IMO).
 
Re: Gibson Explorer Replacement Bridge

Gotoh's direct replacement U.S.A. Nashville bridge seems to be gone from their Website. Perhaps it has been discontinued, or is in the process of being redesigned. It is listed as out of stock at several of my go-to guitar parts retailers. Allparts say they have it in stock, though: https://www.allparts.com/GB-2540-003-Gotoh-Black-Nashville-Tunematic-Bridge_p_1616.html. However, the matching tailpiece is listed as out of stock. OTOH, Guitar Parts Resource lists the tailpiece in stock, but the bridge out of stock. I haven't dug much deeper than that, but I'll bet if you really dig, you can find a retailer who has both in stock, so you don't have to place two separate orders and pay two shipping charges. You might also try e-mailing or calling Guitar Parts Resource (or Allparts) to see if they can get the out of stock part in; I have had luck with that in the past, getting them to order me stuff that was listed as out of stock on the Website for many months. If all else fails, try Amazon and E-Bay. It should end up running you about $75–$80 plus shipping for the set.

You can also ask a local plating shop to re-plate your stock hardware.

You don't need locking hardware unless it somehow makes you feel at peace. I'll take it if it's there (like on my Dean Z and my G&L Ascari), but I won't pay extra for it.
 
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Re: Gibson Explorer Replacement Bridge

If you must have the locking bridge, BUT don't care if the matching tailpiece is the lightweight aluminum, you can do it for about $90 at Warmth:

Bridge $70 http://www.warmoth.com/TonePros-Tuneomatic-Black-P562C711.aspx

Tailpiece $19 http://www.warmoth.com/Gotoh-Stop-Tail-Piece-Black-P594C710.aspx

OR OR OR

If you can live without the locking bridge, you can do this bridge for $22 http://www.warmoth.com/Gotoh-Tune-O-Matic-Bridge-Black-P606C710.aspx

Bringing your total in at $41. The spacing seems to be imperial and not metric, so that should match with a USA made guitar, but specs like this are my downfall, so please check all the measurements.


Each page has exact measurements near the bottom of the page, so you can make sure they will work with your guitar. Hope this helps, fits and works out.
 
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Re: Gibson Explorer Replacement Bridge

ItsaBass said:
Gotoh's direct replacement U.S.A. Nashville bridge seems to be gone from their Website. Perhaps it has been discontinued, or is in the process of being redesigned. It is listed as out of stock at several of my go-to guitar parts retailers. Allparts say they have it in stock, though: https://www.allparts.com/GB-2540-003-Gotoh-Black-Nashville-Tunematic-Bridge_p_1616.html. However, the matching tailpiece is listed as out of stock. OTOH, Guitar Parts Resource lists the tailpiece in stock, but the bridge out of stock. I haven't dug much deeper than that, but I'll bet if you really dig, you can find a retailer who has both in stock, so you don't have to place two separate orders and pay two shipping charges. You might also try e-mailing or calling Guitar Parts Resource (or Allparts) to see if they can get the out of stock part in; I have had luck with that in the past, getting them to order me stuff that was listed as out of stock on the Website for many months. If all else fails, try Amazon and E-Bay. It should end up running you about $75–$80 plus shipping for the set.

You can also ask a local plating shop to re-plate your stock hardware.

You don't need locking hardware unless it somehow makes you feel at peace. I'll take it if it's there (like on my Dean Z and my G&L Ascari), but I won't pay extra for it.
Click to expand...

Leon Of Late said:
If you must have the locking bridge, BUT don't care if the matching tailpiece is the lightweight aluminum, you can do it for about $90 at Warmth:

Bridge $70 http://www.warmoth.com/TonePros-Tuneomatic-Black-P562C711.aspx

Tailpiece $19 http://www.warmoth.com/Gotoh-Stop-Tail-Piece-Black-P594C710.aspx

OR OR OR

If you can live without the locking bridge, you can do this bridge for $22 http://www.warmoth.com/Gotoh-Tune-O-Matic-Bridge-Black-P606C710.aspx

Bringing your total in at $41. The spacing seems to be imperial and not metric, so that should match with a USA made guitar, but specs like this are my downfall, so please check all the measurements.


Each page has exact measurements near the bottom of the page, so you can make sure they will work with your guitar. Hope this helps, fits and works out.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the research gents. The warmoth does not appear to fit properly, so unfortunately that option is crossed off, otherwise those were great prices.

Itsabass, thanks for those links. I was able to find the bridge and tailpiece. I don't mind ordered at 2 difference places at all, as long as all the mounting hardware is including. I found the tone pros for $120 new, or the gotoh route for ~$80. So the question is: is the tonepros worth $40 more than the gotoh? Which mostly everyone has said no, so I'll dig deeper for the gotoh set and just call it a day. Thanks everyone.
 
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Re: Gibson Explorer Replacement Bridge

It's not worth the difference to me. I don't care about being able to lock the bridge and tailpiece to their posts.
 
Re: Gibson Explorer Replacement Bridge

ItsaBass said:
It's not worth the difference to me. I don't care about being able to lock the bridge and tailpiece to their posts.
Click to expand...

I found a seller with both of the items. Appreciate the help, I will post or PM you if I have any issues :thanks::thanks:
 
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