Gibson-style tailpiece materials? Styles?

[Rex_Rocker]

Hey! As you know, I'm a tinkerer and love trying new stuff out on my guitars.

I have a Gibson Les Paul Tribute that came originally with an API nickel-plated lightweight tailpiece which I assume it's Aluminum. Not sure what the studs are.

As you know, I blacked out all the hardwre and got a Gotoh Aluminum tailpiece assuming it's "better" since it's more expensive than the Zinc one. I like it. It's even lighter than the API. I ended up ordering a set of steel Kluson studs because the Gotoh studs didn't fit. However, I also replaced the bridge from a lightweight API Tune-O to a Zinc Schaller roller bridge with brass sadles, but the rest of the bridge is Zinc, I believe. I'm not going to say the tone was night and day difference, though.

I also had an Epiphone Les Paul Custom, and you know what I think about those Epi Locktone bridges they come with. So I replaced it with a Graphtech Resomax bridge, and noticed an immediate improvement in the tone of the guitar. It became livelier and louder. I assume the Graphtech stuff is some sort of Aluminum alloy since it's pretty light as well. But I didn't change the bridge separetly from the tailpiece. I replaced them both at once.

But I always wondered what would happen if I went towards the opposite side of the spectrum and ordered something like a steel or brass tailpiece. Something heavy, but a bit fancier/nicer than Zinc. What would be the effect of doing that?

How about a TP-6-style tailpiece? I assume those would be heavier, right? I always thought the idea of being able to fine-tune the pitch from the bridge like a Floyd is nice. However, it also looks kind of ugly... or more like dated from an era of Guitar design that I don't really love. But if it works well and sounds different in a way I dig, I wouldn't mind giving it a try.

So... thoughts? Thanks!

 

[JMP/HBE]

I get the GOTOH aluminum LP TP's. work great.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

IME aluminum tailpieces usually sound a little airier than steel. Can't speak to the character of a heavy brass one - haven't used one.
I like steel tailpiece studs though; they seem to give slightly better sustain without altering the overall tone too much.

I can't speak to the TP-6 tailpieces: it's been decades since I owned one and I don't remember ever switching one so I could compare its tone on the same specific guitar.

I don't like roller bridges much myself, Not really a tone thing, but they don't seem to feel as lively and sustainy.
Only had a couple of them, though - maybe there are better designs out there than the Schaller.

I put Resomax bridges on two Epiphones and was very happy with the result.
Had worried about losing some brightness with graphite saddles, but they sound great.

 

[beaubrummels]

My experience with brass is it tends to increase sustain, but to my ear it rolls off a touch of treble.

My understanding is the combination of aluminum tailpiece with steel studs is to brighten the guitar a bit (aluminum) and keep the sustain (steel). If the tailpiece were steel I think it would sustain like a mother, but I can't speak to what would happen to the delicate top end.

I've never used a TP-6. If it were all black, I don't think anyone would notice the 'era' of the device.

 

[Chistopher]

I've never let the specific details of bridges bother me. It's one of those things where in reality the difference in sound and feel is going to be very minor, and I would hate to have a problem with an otherwise fine guitar because some problem I made up in my head about what material it's made of.

 

[GuitarStv]

I put a heavy tone pros bridge and tailpiece to replace the pot metal that came with my Epi Dot and it definitely sustained better, but I didn't hear much difference in tone. I've always been curious about the change that using aluminum stuff would make.

 

[LRS]

Have you tried a red tail piece? It’s common knowledge that red equipment sounds better in general… ;-)

Seriously though, steel/brass/aluminium studs / tail pieces, I find it truely impressive when people are able to hear the difference. As long as it’s not wood or plastic (or any other form of vibration absorbing material), I’m perfectly fine with whatever keeps my strings in place. But that’s just me…

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I put a heavy tone pros bridge and tailpiece to replace the pot metal that came with my Epi Dot and it definitely sustained better, but I didn't hear much difference in tone. I've always been curious about the change that using aluminum stuff would make.

That may be because the heavy Tone Pros stuff is Zinc (pot metal) as well, I think. Tone Pros is nicer made stuff, but a lot of their stuff is Zinc. At least the heavy stuff is.

I hate to sound pretentious, though. That's not what I meant to say that Zinc (pot metal) is bad.That's why I'm asking what is the difference in tone if any.

 

[ICTGoober]

That may be because the heavy Tone Pros stuff is Zinc (pot metal) as well, I think. Tone Pros is nicer made stuff, but a lot of their stuff is Zinc. At least the heavy stuff is.

I hate to sound pretentious, though. That's not what I meant to say that Zinc (pot metal) is bad.That's why I'm asking what is the difference in tone if any.

The correct term for this alloy is ZAMAC (zinc, aluminum, magnesium, and copper). Used for all sorts of metal objects throughout the world, usually produced by diecasting. Guitar parts to Hot Wheels - you've touched zamac almost every day in your life.

 

[GuitarStv]

That may be because the heavy Tone Pros stuff is Zinc (pot metal) as well, I think. Tone Pros is nicer made stuff, but a lot of their stuff is Zinc. At least the heavy stuff is.

That would make sense. I got them a really long time ago because it was a pain in the ass having the bridge and tailpiece fall off and ding the guitar top every time I was changing strings. Worked for the problem it was solving. They're much heavier than the epi stuff that was being replaced though - that was noticible.

 

[Jeffblue]

I like brass bridges and tailpieces.

Brass tailpiece and GFS brass roller bridge and all of the plastics replaced with gold metal parts.

 

[ICTGoober]

^^^ Surely, you are kidding. Gold PLATED is not the same.^^^

 

[beaubrummels]

^^^ Surely, you are kidding. Gold PLATED is not the same.^^^

I think the point was the bridge and tailpiece were brass, not about the gold plating.

 

[Jeffblue]

^^^ Surely, you are kidding. Gold PLATED is not the same.^^^

I didn't realize, just because the parts were plated, I needed to explain further.

 

[Mincer]

I know in the late 70s, Gibson used to have the inserts in the body made of heavy brass.

 

[Jeffblue]

Brass is far superior to pot metal parts. I imagine any material would be better if it were machined from solid material than that cheaply made zemak.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Pretty sure that roller bridge only has brass saddles and a Zamac body. That's what the usual materials are with roller bridges. That's what my bridge is like as well.

 

[Jeffblue]

Pretty sure that roller bridge only has brass saddles and a Zamac body. That's what the usual materials are with roller bridges. That's what my bridge is like as well.

Not so. The bridge IS brass, sold @ GFS. There is NO Zemac on my guitars.