Where can I get some roller saddles for a gotoh TOM bridge?

regan

New member
I have a Bigsby on a 335 style guitar with a Japanese Gotoh bridge. Anyone know where can I get some roller saddles for it?
Failing that a roller bridge that will fit the studs?
Thanks in advance
 
Re: Where can I get some roller saddles for a gotoh TOM bridge?

Tonepros makes both large post and small post tuneomatic roller bridges. If it's metric, there are generics available ... sung il probably makes them all. I think guitar fetish has them. There is also a big, ugly Wilkinson branded roller bridge that might fit. I've seen the same bridge sold under various brand names. Don't know where you'd get saddles.
 
Re: Where can I get some roller saddles for a gotoh TOM bridge?

Yep, Sung Il in Korea produces the roller models for TonePros

Sung Il also makes the same bridges (non-locking versions) for Wilkinson, Guitar Fetish, etc.

I've seen some 3rd-party sellers selling rolling saddles removed from these units, but they usually cost as much as a complete bridge assembly, so it's better just to get whole thing and be done.
 
Re: Where can I get some roller saddles for a gotoh TOM bridge?

I just bought a 4.2mm roller TOM from ebay for about £15.
The seller has a return policy so if it doesn't work out or I don't like it I'll bounce it back & dig deep for a Tonepro, if I go this route and they turn out to be the exact same part I'll blow the whistle on them here.
Thanks for the help gents
 
Re: Where can I get some roller saddles for a gotoh TOM bridge?

I don't think the Tonepros will have "Sung-IL" stamped on the bottom, so not sure how you will know. But I could be wrong. Never bought a Tonepros roller bridge.
 
Re: Where can I get some roller saddles for a gotoh TOM bridge?

They're almost 4 times the price so I passed.
I doubt they'll be stamped either but the weight, quality of machined parts and overall finish will betray their origin.
But hey lets hope the cheapo is great first, I bought a set of wilkinson grover kidney tuners knock offs recently & they seem great inexpensive doesn't always mean cheap.
I just make sure they accept returns before ordering
 
Re: Where can I get some roller saddles for a gotoh TOM bridge?

I don't think the Tonepros will have "Sung-IL" stamped on the bottom, so not sure how you will know. But I could be wrong. Never bought a Tonepros roller bridge.

The TonePros are stamped "TonePros" on the bottom, but they are made by Sung Il. The old TonePros were made by Gotoh and were stamped "Gotoh" (later "TonePros by Gotoh") on them, but they went to Sung-Il supplied bridges a few years ago.
 
Re: Where can I get some roller saddles for a gotoh TOM bridge?

YOu really don't need roller saddles with a bigsby. I actually run a gotoh bridge and a bigsby on my 335 and the bridge is great.
Rollers just add more moving parts to the equation and don't help either your tuning or your tone.
Tuning instability comes from two things when using a bigsby.
One is how you stretch your strings. Stretch them every time you tune and always tune up to pitch, never down. If you are too sharp, go low, bring it back up then restretch. Make sure it stays in pitch after you stretch. Do it every time. If you do a divebomb and they go out after that, usually all you have to do is a quick bend or tug on each string and they will pop right back into tune.
The other thing is to have a well cut and lubricated nut. Either bone or self lubricating tusq xl is good. Keep a stick of lip balm or that "nut sauce" stuff handy and use it every time you change strings, or have a gig.
 
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Re: Where can I get some roller saddles for a gotoh TOM bridge?

To fix the tuning issues on all my Bigsby-equipped guitars, I simply got rid of the Bigsby.

Just kidding. Well, sort of. :)

I love the way they look and they have their own feel, but I really do prefer either a proper fixed bridge or a more modern trem system.
 
Re: Where can I get some roller saddles for a gotoh TOM bridge?

I'll give a roller bridge a try if I don't like it I can always put the original back on.
The guitars tuning is pretty stable anyway and I'm pretty gentle on the bar, I'm curious to see if rollers will give a more fluid action and sound.
I run some pencil graphite in the nut slots and across the strings as lube this works great I don't like the idea of lip palm on the strings tbh but each to their own & if it works for others than great!
I love bigsbys & never really got on with other trems not even strat types
 
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