In search of the right piezo bridge

[Metalman_666]

So I've had a custom 6-string build in the works for a couple years now. It's a neck-through, fixed bridge, I want strings through the body, with H/S bridge/neck pups, and I want a piezo. The snag right now is the bridge.

Originally I wanted the Schaller Hannes but they don't seem to make the piezo version anymore. Real bummer.

I could go Hipshot + Ghost saddles, though I have two 7s with the Hipshot fixed bridge and I'm not crazy about it. It feels a lot like a Strat hardtail which I don't dig!

I've felt pretty comfortable with tune-o-matic bridges, but I want it to be recessed to keep it low profile - that's the snag.

It seems that all the good quality TOMs that come with piezo saddles (Graphtech Resomax, Fishman Powerbridge, LR Baggs T-Bridge) do not have posts you can adjust from the top. They all appear to need adjusting from the discs on the sides, which obviously won't be feasible in a recessed bridge. Even my Schecter C-1 Classic has top-adjust posts and has been rock solid for years.

If I'm spending the money on a custom guitar I really want the piezo in there. Is there another quality option I'm not aware of? Am I being prissy about the Hipshot + Ghost idea and must I accept this compromise?

The builder said he remembered doing something similar but I haven't heard from him and I'm getting antsy. I need advice.

Sent from my SM-F926W using Tapatalk

 

[Mincer]

You might look to see if RMC makes one for that bridge. I use an RMC in a Wilkinson trem, and it is fantastic.

 

[Metalman_666]

You might look to see if RMC makes one for that bridge. I use an RMC in a Wilkinson trem, and it is fantastic.

It's not that I can't find piezo in a TOM, but the top-adjust posts that are causing a problem. Are there aftermarket bushings that could be had to swap in on whatever TOM I would get?

Sent from my SM-F926W using Tapatalk

 

[Metalman_666]

I had to share - I'd emailed Schaller using the contact form on their site just asking if by chance the absence of Hannes Piezo on their site really meant they were no more, this was at 11:30pm Eastern,

The auto response said "we answer all emails in a timely and efficient fashion" and sure enough, 8 hours later one of the OWNERS emailed me back saying he would check their warehouse. And as it turns out, he said if we ordered a regular Hannes and then email him, he would personally change the order by hand to get one of the few gold Piezo versions they had left in stock.

I don't have it yet but wow, that's great service!

Problem solved. If anyone else has dealt with Schaller I hope it's been a similar experience. Super pumped now to get the exact bridge I wanted

Sent from my SM-F926W using Tapatalk

 

[Rex_Rocker]

The Graphtech Resomax you can adjust from the top. Even the Nashville-style ones.

And Schaller Tune-o's aren't the best, IMO. The Graphtech is much nicer. I have both. The Schaller is heavy and mostly made of cheap pot metal. The Graphtech sounds much better and locks.