so I got this vibrola....
- Thread starter blakejcan
- Start date
ICTGoober
Well-known member
Re: so I got this vibrola....
Blake - even the cheap Chinese ones I've installed for clients work well. Just be sure to oil the rollers with something like 3-in-1 or sewing machine oil once in a great while. I'd also suggest locking tuners of some kind. How ya doing with that thing?
Blake - even the cheap Chinese ones I've installed for clients work well. Just be sure to oil the rollers with something like 3-in-1 or sewing machine oil once in a great while. I'd also suggest locking tuners of some kind. How ya doing with that thing?
eclecticsynergy
Well-known member
Re: so I got this vibrola....
Many feel rollers can negatively affect sustain and/or tone, especially the cheap ones. IMO you might be better off trying graphite saddles first.
Not an authoritative statement, just my opinion: as with anything tone-related, YMMV.
Many feel rollers can negatively affect sustain and/or tone, especially the cheap ones. IMO you might be better off trying graphite saddles first.
Not an authoritative statement, just my opinion: as with anything tone-related, YMMV.
Silence Kid
New member
Re: so I got this vibrola....
It intrigues me (though I've never tried it) - But I understand some fifties Gibsons in the fifties equipped with a vibrato were equipped with domed thumb-wheels to allow a Tune-O-Matic to rock forward/back.
Not saying that's the ideal solution, but I wonder how easy that setup is to come by nowadays- and it would eliminate any worries about a roller bridge (I'm not really a Gibson person so haven't checked.)
It intrigues me (though I've never tried it) - But I understand some fifties Gibsons in the fifties equipped with a vibrato were equipped with domed thumb-wheels to allow a Tune-O-Matic to rock forward/back.
Not saying that's the ideal solution, but I wonder how easy that setup is to come by nowadays- and it would eliminate any worries about a roller bridge (I'm not really a Gibson person so haven't checked.)
eclecticsynergy
Well-known member
Re: so I got this vibrola....
Domed thumbwheels is kind of a cool idea. I know some of the vintage Gretsches had a bridge that was designed to rock back & forth to work with the Bigsby.
Domed thumbwheels is kind of a cool idea. I know some of the vintage Gretsches had a bridge that was designed to rock back & forth to work with the Bigsby.
Silence Kid
New member
Re: so I got this vibrola....
The principle is also the same for Jaguar/Jazzmaster/Mustang bridges (don't laugh, it works well.) Actually- Bigsby Telecasters used the same bridge. That said it also is not clear to me if the domed saddles used a specialized bridge.
(I admit my bringing them up is in part just to satisfy my disgusting curiosity to have someone actually try some domed wheels and report back- or else have some old-timer regale us with first-hand experience
)
Anyway to quit going totally off-topic: I have no experience with roller bridges. However from my experience with cheap roller nuts- I might worry about excessive lateral movement/rattle on a poor quality roller bridge.
The principle is also the same for Jaguar/Jazzmaster/Mustang bridges (don't laugh, it works well.) Actually- Bigsby Telecasters used the same bridge. That said it also is not clear to me if the domed saddles used a specialized bridge.
(I admit my bringing them up is in part just to satisfy my disgusting curiosity to have someone actually try some domed wheels and report back- or else have some old-timer regale us with first-hand experience
)Anyway to quit going totally off-topic: I have no experience with roller bridges. However from my experience with cheap roller nuts- I might worry about excessive lateral movement/rattle on a poor quality roller bridge.
Last edited:
Re: so I got this vibrola....
It was domed adjustment wheels, not saddles, and yes I believe the ABR's used with them had the bottom shaved to accommodate the different wheels. You can look up a pic on the internet.
Al
The principle is also the same for Jaguar/Jazzmaster/Mustang bridges (don't laugh, it works well.) Actually- Bigsby Telecasters used the same bridge. That said it also is not clear to me if the domed saddles used a specialized bridge.
(I admit my bringing them up is in part just to satisfy my disgusting curiosity to have someone actually try some domed wheels and report back- or else have some old-timer regale us with first-hand experience
Anyway to quit going totally off-topic: I have no experience with roller bridges. However from my experience with cheap roller nuts- I might worry about excessive lateral movement/rattle on a poor quality roller bridge.
It was domed adjustment wheels, not saddles, and yes I believe the ABR's used with them had the bottom shaved to accommodate the different wheels. You can look up a pic on the internet.
Al
dystrust
Well-known member
blakejcan
Well-known member
Re: so I got this vibrola....
I'm back. After a fair amount of research I've decided to go with the tonepros. Seems to get great reviews across the board.
They come in standard & metric. I'm a red-blooded American so I'm assuming I need the standard correct?
Basically.........this guy
https://reverb.com/item/14651156-to...-tuneomatic-bridge-with-roller-saddles-chrome
I'm back. After a fair amount of research I've decided to go with the tonepros. Seems to get great reviews across the board.
They come in standard & metric. I'm a red-blooded American so I'm assuming I need the standard correct?
Basically.........this guy
https://reverb.com/item/14651156-to...-tuneomatic-bridge-with-roller-saddles-chrome
eclecticsynergy
Well-known member
Re: so I got this vibrola....
You haven't specified what guitar it's for. On a Gibson the US spec bridge will fit perfectly. For an Epiphone you'd need the metric one.
You haven't specified what guitar it's for. On a Gibson the US spec bridge will fit perfectly. For an Epiphone you'd need the metric one.
gilt.suspect
New member
Re: so I got this vibrola....
I have owned a few vibrolas and many roller bridges. One of the main things to consider is matching the fretboard radius. Then the stud spacing. Also consider replacing the original saddles with graph tech / tusq etc. You can adjust the individual string height by sanding the slots! My favorite roller is Schaller (14" radius) but I like the 12" radius on he StewMac roller for my Gibson.
I have owned a few vibrolas and many roller bridges. One of the main things to consider is matching the fretboard radius. Then the stud spacing. Also consider replacing the original saddles with graph tech / tusq etc. You can adjust the individual string height by sanding the slots! My favorite roller is Schaller (14" radius) but I like the 12" radius on he StewMac roller for my Gibson.
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