What bridge for a gibson V?

[astrozombie]

I'm trying to get my V up to snuff. I need to replace the bridge and stop bar tail piece, but i dont know what size they are or anything. how do i know which one to buy? and what do you recommend?

Gibson Faded Flying V Features:

Mahogany body
Mahogany neck
Rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays
24-3/4" scale length
1-11/16" nut width
Tune-o-matic bridge with stopbar tailpiece
Chrome hardware
496R and 500T ceramic magnet pickups
Controls: 2 volume, one tone, 3-way switch


from gibson.com:


Plating Finish Chrome
Tailpiece Gibson Stop Bar
Bridge Gibson Tune-O-Matic
Tuners Grover Kluson Style Green Keys


Species Mahogany
Nut Corian
Nut Width Standard Gibson: 1.695" +/- .050"

------------


I'm looking for a replacement bridge and tailpiece that are as good if not better than what came stock.

 

[super rad stuff]

Re: What bridge for a gibson V?

go to http://www.stewmac.com and check out the specs for a US sized TOM setup. i'm not saying you should neccisarilly buy it from there, but you'll find the specs you need there.

 

[Aceman]

Re: What bridge for a gibson V?

I'm still cold from the morning soccer game, so I'm gonna be a b!tch:

WHY TF do you need to change the bridge on your V to get it up to snuff? Here is a thought for ever $1 a tone pro's bridge/tailpiece costs, why don't you spend 10 hours practicing. I bet the bridge problem won't even exist anymore. Good Gawd man - it's a basic TOM - what can realistically/practically be wrong with it? Seriously...from Hondo on up - play the thing and quitcherbichin.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: What bridge for a gibson V?

I'm still cold from the morning soccer game, so I'm gonna be a b!tch:

WHY TF do you need to change the bridge on your V to get it up to snuff? Here is a thought for ever $1 a tone pro's bridge/tailpiece costs, why don't you spend 10 hours practicing. I bet the bridge problem won't even exist anymore. Good Gawd man - it's a basic TOM - what can realistically/practically be wrong with it? Seriously...from Hondo on up - play the thing and quitcherbichin.

the chrome plating is coming off, a few years back I took a wrench to one of the stop bar posts cause it wouldnt come out.

and the saddle for my low E string is deteriorated, theres grooves in it. it doesnt rest in the center.

 

[Stef]

Re: What bridge for a gibson V?

59b

 

[Stef]

Re: What bridge for a gibson V?

500T is too hot - to middy and mushy in a V

 

[metalmachine]

Re: What bridge for a gibson V?

ummm i dont think he ment pups

 

[astrozombie]

Re: What bridge for a gibson V?

ummm i dont think he ment pups

exactly. :cool2:

 

[DLT]

Re: What bridge for a gibson V?

I would put a fine tuning stop bar on the axe. They look cool and they work nice. As the TOM bridge itself, I'd stay with what you got and replace the bad parts.

 

[super rad stuff]

Re: What bridge for a gibson V?

just get new slotted saddles then man.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: What bridge for a gibson V?

just get new slotted saddles then man.

i need the stop bar screws though.

but i mean why not just do the whole thing?

 

[Northwinds]

Re: What bridge for a gibson V?

I would put a fine tuning stop bar on the axe. They look cool and they work nice. As the TOM bridge itself, I'd stay with what you got and replace the bad parts.

Correct, a TP-6 will make you smile but also cost you a bit, I have it on both my Explorer's and it's the finest stop bar of it's type out there. I would buy a replacement TOM instead of repairing though, they're cheap enough. A Wilkerson roller or other quality replacement would be a good choice but also a few bucks more. As Aceman says though, a TOM is a TOM for the most part

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: What bridge for a gibson V?

the chrome plating is coming off, a few years back I took a wrench to one of the stop bar posts cause it wouldnt come out.

Nowadays, that is called "relic-ing". Perhaps, you could swap yours for somebody else's "as new" example. You can have shiny chrome and the other person would be half way to a DIY relic finish.

and the saddle for my low E string is deteriorated, theres grooves in it. it doesnt rest in the center.

There are supposed to be grooves in a Gibson saddle. You make them yourself with a file. (Generally, tension determines the point at which each string sits across its saddle. You mark that position and set to work with fine files.)

If you want unmarked saddles, buy new saddles. If you want to "weird" people out, mix and match metal and non-metal saddles like Joe Bonnamassa.

Not sure why Aceman is in such a foul mood. In the UK, we have an expression about having a hair caught across it.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: What bridge for a gibson V?

Nowadays, that is called "relic-ing". Perhaps, you could swap yours for somebody else's "as new" example. You can have shiny chrome and the other person would be half way to a DIY relic finish.



There are supposed to be grooves in a Gibson saddle. You make them yourself with a file.

If you want unmarked saddles, buy new saddles. If you want to "weird" people out, mix and match metal and non-metal saddles like Joe Bonnamassa.

Not sure why Aceman is in such a foul mood. In the UK, we have an expression about having a hair caught across it.

no no no, the e string rests ona groove that is off center, a creepy batcave, you need a dentist kind of edge. it isnt the stock one.

and its bad. it doesnt even look relic'ed. looks like some asshole messed it up with a wrench.

forgot to add: thank you for bringin da funk.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: What bridge for a gibson V?

forgot to add: thank you for bringin da funk.

Funk you (Falletin' Me Be Mice Elf Agin) :biglaugh: (Apologies to Sly Stone.)

 

[super rad stuff]

Re: What bridge for a gibson V?

new saddles:
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges...and_Parts/Nashville_Tune-o-matic_Saddles.html
new studs and bushings:
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges...arts/Stud_Bushing_Set_for_Stop_Tailpiece.html

was that so hard?

there's not going to be a humongous change in tone from switching to a different bridge and tailpiece. people often say that it's not really worth it on here even.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: What bridge for a gibson V?

new saddles:
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges...and_Parts/Nashville_Tune-o-matic_Saddles.html
new studs and bushings:
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges...arts/Stud_Bushing_Set_for_Stop_Tailpiece.html

was that so hard?

there's not going to be a humongous change in tone from switching to a different bridge and tailpiece. people often say that it's not really worth it on here even.

dont the saddles come notched? i mean i dont want to have to file the **** myself.

thanks though! the studs ill take.

 

[super rad stuff]

Re: What bridge for a gibson V?

for those notches, sandpaper, a flat piece of metal, steady hands, and a good eye will getcha there

 

[tmmblues]

Re: What bridge for a gibson V?

TP6 tailpiece is the way to go. I put one on both my LP and Firebird. Consider replacing the saddles with graphite or tusq.

 

[hamerfan]

Re: What bridge for a gibson V?

dont the saddles come notched? i mean i dont want to have to file the **** myself.

thanks though! the studs ill take.

You dont have to file, you need only a hammer.

First stay with the old strings with the new saddles, arrange them to fit the polepieces and the finger board. If everything is on the right place, use a small hammer to make a mark of the string into the saddle.