At times your guitar might give some trouble and then comes the time to upgrade and customize your guitar. Some professionals also do it for better sound quality and playing experience. The major issue which most people face is with the name of the guitar parts. These guitar terms can be confusing at times. You need to know the names correctly to replace or repair them. You need to source the right parts as well so there is no challenge.
Have you heard the term “Tune-o-Matic”? It is quite common and this actually describes the bridge system which is like the Gibson style. It will help in adjusting the saddles individually for every string. Now the user can work on the intonation of every string distinctly. So here we will talk about the Guitar Bridges of different types so you can understand the difference and make a choice.
An ABR Bridge:
The ABR Bridges are classic style bridges. You will notice an ABR bridge in the Les Paul Reissue or a custom shop guitar or a vintage type guitar. There are 6 to 32 threaded rods in the bridge posts and these are screwed to the body wood directly. The thumbwheel is a separate part of the post and this is placed properly so the bridge can sit on it without any issues. Now, when the thumbwheel is moved up and down, the bridge moves along. Many guitar players like this style bridge and this configuration is on the vintage and vintage reissue Gibson style guitars which can be seen visually and functionally.
The vintage setup of the guitar can be met by the Faber guitar ABR style bridge and if your guitars are ABR-1 equipped then you will be satisfied with this upgrade.
Nashville Bridge:
The Nashville Bridges are just like ABR and you will notice them in many Gibson guitars which are ABR-1 equipped. The difference between both the bridges is the width and the way in which they mount to the body. There is a bridge post on the Nashville bridge which is connected to the metal body bushing with the help of screws via an integrated thumbwheel. When the thumbwheel is turned height adjustment is made and the thumbwheel helps in moving the complete assembly up and down. Many players do not like the Nashville bridge and it is because:
- The bridge is wider than the ABR-1 bridge and this does not seem correct historically. It also needs a tailpiece to adjust the height so strings can clear back off the bridge. The Faber ABRN Nashville replacement bridge can be adjusted completely like the classic Nashville style bridge as per the sizing of the ABR-1 bridge so one can have more control over the tailpiece adjustability.
- Loose fit body bushings and height adjustment posts are made with low-quality zinc alloy. The Nashville Conversion Posts are of steel which is efficient and better.
- Nashville Bridges are mounted with the saddle screw heads and it faces the tailpiece and this takes away the vintage feel. Faber bridges have saddle screws that face the pickups and it gives easy adjustment. Moreover, Faber bridge saddles can give the right intonation and saddle orientation is right to achieve this.
Wraparound bridge:
Wraparound Bridges are not like the Tune o Matic style bridge and it is like a tailpiece and bridge in one single unit. If you have a vintage guitar then you will have the wraparound bridge and it will look like a tailpiece. That kind of wraparound will evolve in something known as compensated or the lightning bolt design for giving better intonation. Faber gives Tone-Bar or TPWC wraparounds lightweight aluminum wraparounds bridges. The TPW wrap looks like the50’s style original wraparound and this is used by many players for better intonation and it also preserves the original vintage taste.
SO, these are the three types of guitar bridges which you should know so you can repair and replace them whenever there is a need.
