TonePros Hardware?

[Fatty]

I was checking over StewMac for some Tuneomatic bridges for my latest Warmoth project, and I came across TonePros Locking bridges and stop tails. They generall ran about $30 more than other non-locking bridges, and (according to the description) are supposed to "improve sustain and tone"... are they worth the extra $$$?

-alex

 

[Byakhee00]

That really depends on who you'd ask. I'd say no, but i know people who swear by the things.

 

[Gearjoneser]

They're absolutely worth the money, if you have the extra dough!

don't forget to figure in the added cost of cutting the grooves in the saddles and installation, if you can't do that yourself.
It's trickier than it looks, especially filing the grooves.

I got sick and tired of the PRS McCarty stoptail piece on my
teal black McCarty. They designed it to intonate with 9's or 10's
in standard tuning, ONLY. I use 11's, tuned down a halfstep w/
a dropped low E, on that guitar, so I HAD to get an adjustable
tailpiece, or the guitar wouldn't intonate perfectly.

I love it. Now, the guitar intonates perfectly w/no sour notes anywhere! Also the sustain and boldness of notes got much better. The only negative, besides the price, was a little bit of added brightness. All I can say is that my McCarty with Tonepros
and zebra C-5/59 is one of the best sounding guitars I have.
That combination has elevated my PRS to the level of a Gibson, tonally.

 

[TattooedCarrot]

I don't know about the PRS version, but the Les Paul style tune-o-matic and stoptail is nothing more than a $15 Gotoh with Allen screws drilled into it to hold it in place (look at one, they actually are stamped "Gotoh" on the bottoms). IMO the claimed sustain is not noticeable. They are convenient for changing strings so your bridge doesn't scratch the finish by falling, but overall I don't think the cost is justified.

 

[HolyDirt]

I like em

 

[Gearjoneser]

I don't know about the PRS version, but the Les Paul style tune-o-matic and stoptail is nothing more than a $15 Gotoh with Allen screws drilled into it to hold it in place (look at one, they actually are stamped "Gotoh" on the bottoms). IMO the claimed sustain is not noticeable. They are convenient for changing strings so your bridge doesn't scratch the finish by falling, but overall I don't think the cost is justified.

I tend to agree with you on the Les Paul Tonepros.
Any advantage is not worth the extra cost IMO.
On the PRS stoptail, it's definitely worth it to have
the adjustable intonation, but LP tailpieces are just fine
as they are.

 

[Skullkrusher]

I've got a Tonepro bridge and I love it.

 

[Fatty]

I don't know about the PRS version, but the Les Paul style tune-o-matic and stoptail is nothing more than a $15 Gotoh with Allen screws drilled into it to hold it in place (look at one, they actually are stamped "Gotoh" on the bottoms). IMO the claimed sustain is not noticeable. They are convenient for changing strings so your bridge doesn't scratch the finish by falling, but overall I don't think the cost is justified.

That's one thing I was thinking would be cool, the bridge not falling out. Seems like it may make restringing less of a hassle.

 

[chcjunior]

I installed Tone Pros on both the SG and Schecter. As pointed out, the convenience with regard to string changes is worth the cash over the long haul to me. I did notice a slight increase in sustain.

 

[Jeff_H]

After having both types I must say I prefer the Tone Pro's bridges. It's a little more money, but worth it. I like the lockdown feature so I don't have to worry about it dinging my finish. My only disapointment is that it is tarnishing where I rest my hand. I've not had that happen before and I haven't had it all that long. It may be a fluke.

 

[Fresh_Start]

FWIW - you can save some $$$ by buying Tone Pros products from:

Black Rose Customs
or
Lew's Guitars

Chip

 

[Jonny C]

I'd say it's worth the extra cash for holding the bridge/tailpiece at the desired height alone! It's so annoying having to re-adjust the bridge after you've touched the screws while re-stringing. As for the tone, I can't notice any difference without ABing them.

PS. There's also a little more saddle travel than on the standard ABR etc., so for heavy string gauges you can actually get the correct intonation!

 

[Surgeon]

I really like mine...

 

[kaknight]

not only that, but the TonePros folks are 150% behind their product. They bent over backwards to help me with my PRS. They customized a bridge just for me, and sent me out several sets of prototype studs to see which best worked for my PRS. I have never had any company care about me that much! That's the sort of business practice that will beat Guitar Center! And their products seem great to me. their TOM bridge and tailpeice will stay on when you change strings. Does it really improve tone? Maybe, but it certainly keeps guitars better setup.

 

[Fatty]

My only disapointment is that it is tarnishing where I rest my hand. I've not had that happen before and I haven't had it all that long. It may be a fluke.

Do you have gold TonePros or nickel?

 

[jetjoe002]

I replaced the stock epi crap tunamatic bridge w/ a tonepros. Now my guitar actually intonates (sp?), and stays the way I set it with temp. changes. I couldn't tell you abouth the tail peices, but I don't think they'll "improve sustain" and all that garbage.

 

[Jeff_H]

Do you have gold TonePros or nickel?

Nickel - One post where I rest my hand is turning a gun metal grey type tarnish. I don't have THAT much playing time on the thing. That's been my only complaint.

 

[Grandor]

Nickel - One post where I rest my hand is turning a gun metal grey type tarnish. I don't have THAT much playing time on the thing. That's been my only complaint.

If it helps - My epi's gold stock hardware is going gun-metal grey because I rest my hand there too.

But its happening to all the hardware, just slower.

 

[Oldslowhand]

I,ve got one on my LP and I'm really happy with it,does everything they claim I play that guitar a lot and don't have any trouble with tarnishing I lost a Grub screw (my fault) and they dropped 4 in the post no charge not even for postage! they are very helpfull have a word with them you never know.....

 

[midnite_man]

After having both types I must say I prefer the Tone Pro's bridges. It's a little more money, but worth it. I like the lockdown feature so I don't have to worry about it dinging my finish. My only disapointment is that it is tarnishing where I rest my hand. I've not had that happen before and I haven't had it all that long. It may be a fluke.

My Schecter I just bought, used, that came from the factory with gold Tone Pros is losing it's finish a little in the same area. The previous owner told me he always wiped the guitar down after every playing session, but the guitar is only 2 years old.