Tone Pros and moving parts?

[papersoul]

Hi guys,

I was going to install the locking adjustable bridge on my PRS but my tech advised leaving the stock bridge since it has less movable parts. I think this refers more to the additional saddles compared to the stock PRS bridge. But, the TP wrap around bridge does have the two piece studs. Would this matter once it is locked down? Once I go with heavier strings I'll have to use it anyway. I am using 11-52 now. Intonation with the stock breidge is almost perfect.

Would this hold true for the Les Paul style bridge? The Tone Pros locking bridge and tail would also have more moving parts due to the two piece tail studs and the screws that hold the studs in place. Does this all become meaningless once they are locked in place?

Thanks for helping me understand the concept behind this.

 

[martinsixstringcustoms]

Re: Tone Pros and moving parts?

I've had great success with the TonePros products. Defintely worth considering. The lock in place nicely and I've noticed better tone and sustain.

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Tone Pros and moving parts?

I never put the TP's on my PRS. The wraparound bridge on my prs is anodized and gold at the same time. It's intonated very nicely as it is.

On my R8, however, I LOVE the Tonepros. Once it's set, it's set. Never have to change it again.

 

[Fatty]

Re: Tone Pros and moving parts?

I think it all does become pretty much meaningless once the bridge and tailpiece are locked in place.. the posts and the bridge essentially become one.

It's definately an expensive upgrade, but I have no complaints about my stop tail setup.

 

[aleclee]

Re: Tone Pros and moving parts?

I think one of the features of the PRS fixed bridge is its lack of parts. At least in theory, the stock bridge transfers energy from the strings to the bridge to the studs to the body. In an adjustable bridge, it goes from strings to saddles to bolts to bridge to studs to body. Thus, there are fewer places to lose energy with the fixed bridge than with the adjustable one.

Unless you have intonation issues, replacing a fixed bridge with an adjustable one runs counter to the philosophy behind locking down the bridge--at least in theory. If your decision is based on funky intonation, ya gotta do whatcha gotta do.

I'm definitely not anti-TP. I had a set securing the bridge on my Tremonti SE and was quite happy with 'em. I just think that if you use standard string sets, putting an adjustable stoptail on a PRS adds complexity without any real benefit. The stock bridge is easier to intonate and, based on strobe tuner measurements, finger pressure and tuner inaccuracy are more likely to cause things to sound off than the fixed bridge.

 

[papersoul]

Re: Tone Pros and moving parts?

Thanks!

Aleclee...thanks for the info! I use 11-52 on my PRS so if I go higher...I may have to use the PRS adjustable bridge or the Tone Pros bridge. From talking to other guys.....the added moving parts has no effect on the over all tone.

Now, I did use the Tone Pros for my Les Paul.

 

[aleclee]

Re: Tone Pros and moving parts?

From talking to other guys.....the added moving parts has no effect on the over all tone.

As far as that goes, different folks hear different things. Some folks (not me) claim they can hear the difference between a plated tailpiece and an anodized one.

For me, it would be a matter of convenience. I use 9.5s or 10s so the fixed bridge works fine for me. I really like the way that I'd only have to set the intonation on the low and high E strings and be done with it. I used to hate setting intonation when I had a TOM-equipped guitar, too.