I'm nearly positive that Eclipses were out of production before the Hipshot BabtGrand bridge was introduced.
I contacted Hipshot and they said that the Baby Grand bridge was introduced in 1999. The Eclipse is a 1996, so it's definitely not original. Thank you, to everyone for your help.
Sprinter
I was thinking that very same thing...except I've never seen one
Gene, (BTMN) has also told me that the tobacco burst finish is rare. I was considering selling this guitar, but maybe I should keep it.
Sprinter
Can you simply use the Hipshot studs with your new bridge? The stud spacing should be identical since the Hipshot was made to retrofit "Gibson" stud spacing. The Hipshot studs are smaller in diameter than the Wilkinson or Gibson style bridge studs. The bridges don't fit tight and move side to side. I'm just going to stick with the Hipshot bridge. I finally got the Hipshot working correctly. Sprinter
Is it possible that the Hipshot, Baby Grand bridge that is on my Eclipse was factory installed? I bought a Wilkinson bridge and regular Gibson style wrap around bridge and neither one will work. The studs won't screw into the bridge inserts. I removed the inserts, and discovered that the Baby Grand inserts were bigger than the ones for the two bridges that I had bought. The insert holes appear to be factory drilled. There isn't any sign of the holes being enlarged to accommodate the Hipshot bridge. Does Hamer have production logs? I'm really curious to know if this is indeed a factory installed bridge.
Sprinter