Peplacing a Tune O Matic bridge

[Pieman]

I have owned a 1970s Les Paul Deluxe Goldtop since 1978. Every few years I have a guy look at it. Last week he eyeballed the TOM bridge and said it appears to have gone a bit concave. He said these were generally cast cheaply and over time the pressure forces themdownward. I am not sure why these would bend inwards at all given the fact there are six strings pushing down across the brodge and not only in the middle - - but maybe the screws on the edge offer some rigidity.

Anyhow, is there a superior TOM maker (and not priced like a Dumble). What about the saddles? Any recommendations?

Thank you.

t

[kenjones]

I had one flatten out a few years ago. It's fairly common from what I understand.

[veatch]

Yup - me as well. It was an old ABR-1 style bridge, which is likely what you have on yer Paul. The Nashville style bridges seem to be more stable.

I've had pretty good luck with TonePros.

I'm sure BCRGreg or RoyB could hook you up with somethin'.

[Hamer Time]

Get a Graph Tech with the string saver saddles. They sound better, imo, smoother tone and longer sustain, than regular metal saddles and you break less strings.

http://www.graphtech.com/products.html?SubCategoryID=9

[murkat]

A Nashville TOM bridge is different than an ABR-1

An abr will fold, but, I havent seen a TOM sag as of yet.....

Some of the best replacements are tone pros, they pay attention to the metal content of there products where most others do not care.

[gtone]

A Nashville TOM bridge is different than an ABR-1

An abr will fold, but, I havent seen a TOM sag as of yet.....

Some of the best replacements are tone pros, they pay attention to the metal content of there products where most others do not care.

+1 - Nashville TOM bridge has a lot more meat to it.