Is anybody using a Hipshot Tone-A-Matic?

[Rex_Rocker]

Is anyone?

Curious... how is it? How does it sound? As far as I know, it's made of brass saddles and aluminum body, right? How sturdy is it?

Thanks!

 

[Seashore]

I have one on my 7 string Epiphone. It's pretty cool, but it came with some flaws - burrs around the post adjustment slots from machining, a stripped hole for one of the set screws - and the outside saddles had to be filed down to match the radius of the fretboard. None of it was a dealbreaker but I think the Graphtech Resomax is better in fit and finish.

I don't know what the saddles are made of, but I don't see any brass showing in the filed slots. The difference in sound was what I expected based on the Resomax on my Explorer - a little more zing and bite, slightly richer all around tone coming from the Epiphone bridge it replaced.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I have the Resomax bridge on my Gibson. Good to know the Resomax is all around better.

Also, my bad. Looks like the saddles on the Tone-A-Matic are steel rather than brass.

 

[Seashore]

The one functional thing the Hipshot has over the Graphtech is range of adjustability for intonation.

 

[orpheo]

I prefer the Hipshot version over the Graphtech version. I like the rattle-free experience, the light magnetic tailpiece, the locking studs.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I prefer the Hipshot version over the Graphtech version. I like the rattle-free experience, the light magnetic tailpiece, the locking studs.

The Graphtech is also rattle free. The tailpiece and the bridge itself are also lightweight on the Graphtech. Not aluminum, but their Resomax thing which is lighter than Zamak for sure, and both the bridge and the tailpiece lock magnetically too.

That being said, I'm not saying one is better than the other as I have not tried the Hipshot. I kinda want to since I like the looks.

I'm only looking at the bridge itself, though. The guitar already has a Gotoh Aluminum tailpiece locked with TonePros brass studs.

 

[Seashore]

I get some rattle from the Hipshot, I don't from the Graphtech.