'94 Studio Wraptail bridge help ... UPDATED

[Len]

Hey Everyone ... Bought Ernie's Studio a while back ... great guitar. Small problem ... I keep knocking my G string into the channel on the bridge. I think I want to replace the bridge. I think this is the original Wilkinson on it? Anybody have any recommendations or solutions to the problem? I think Tone Pros make a real cool bridge that will fit .... Thanks

[mrjamiam]

There are other threads on the topic if you search. I just took delivery of a '96 Studio that sports a PRS wraptail replacement, and it's doing fine.

ETA - So proud of myself for not making a G string joke.

[mrjamiam]

Kinda this one http://www.hamerfanclub.com/forums/topic/56611-korina-jr-replacement-bridge/?hl=%2Breplacement+%2Bbridge+%2Bjunior

But more this one http://www.hamerfanclub.com/forums/topic/65584-wraptail-bridge-options/?hl=+faber%20+bridge

[Bobby Marshall]

Pigtail intonatable with tone pros locking studs.

http://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Parts/All_Hardware_and_Parts_by_Instrument/Electric_Guitar/Bridges_and_Tailpieces/Non-trem_Tailpiecess/Pigtail_Aluminum_Wraparound_Bridge.html

http://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Parts/All_Hardware_and_Parts_by_Instrument/Electric_Guitar/Bridges_and_Tailpieces/Non-trem_Tailpiece_Parts/TonePros_Locking_Studs.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=2015-11-gp&gclid=Cj0KEQiA4LCyBRCY0N7Oy-mSgNIBEiQAyg39tj7ohuWvZbe-a2WUk6ebfNzINp339MjoIm2ATHjWLhMaAmFI8P8HAQ

[MCChris]

The Tonepros has a high profile and IMO leaves the action too high at its lowest setting (not enough neck pitch on the Hamer). Get the Pigtail.

[cmatthes]

Pigtail or Faber Compensated.

[coolfeel]

+ 100 on the Pigtail. Be aware that the Pigtail will improve the tone over the Wilky. I swapped a Wilky for a Pigtail on a guitar a few years back and the tonal difference was night and day - which was an added benefit as the swap was done for comfort and aesthetics.

[G Man]

I did the Faber and TonePros studs on the wraptail Eclipse in my avatar and it really brought the guitar to life, it is now my most resonant solid body.

[tomteriffic]

Pigtail compensated works well with low neck angles. Was a definite improvement over the pot metal lightning bolt bridge on my '63 Junior.

[Armitage]

Can't you just deepen the notches on the saddles?

[sixesandsevens]

The stock bridge is notchless.

[Hbom]

I agree with all who recommend the Faber or Pigtail both work well. Don't forget the Tone Pro studs.

[Caddie]

Get a softer pick and stop strummin' so damn hard. Seriously, start by doing some low or no cost solutions. Like what Armtage said up above. I have loved wraptails ever since I got a '95 Artist with a Wilky. There have been many Studios and Artists that slipped in and out of my basement over the years with Wilkys. One Studio had a TonePros, a couple had Pigtails and IIRC one had a PRS. No Hipshot boiled egg slicers.

Wilky, TonePros, PRS all worked & sounded great. Granted, the Wilky was more tedious to set up than the others. But once you got the Wilky setup it sounded as good as the others. It sounded even better when I didn't need to shell out a couple hundred bucks for a TonePros, Pigtails, PRS, or a boiled egg slicer.

Once you have it setup unless you are changing string guages, why does it need to be adjusted? If you only replace one string at a time the bridge doesn't get loose, requiring you to re-setup the bridge. I never tried one of those plain round bar bridges that Gibson used for many years and so much timeless rock n roll was recorded. I never owned one of those big body "jazz" boxes that had the bridge sitting on top of the body held in place by string tension.

Play watcha got. Save your money.

Cheers!

caddie

The stock bridge is notchless.

True! Have your Certified, State Licensed Luthier take a file and install 6 grooves, still way cheaper than a new bridge.

btw 6sand7s, phoenetically notchless bridge is pretty close to crotchless britches. Just sayin...

[G Man]

Get a softer pick and stop strummin' so damn hard. Seriously, start by doing some low or no cost solutions. Like what Armtage said up above. I have loved wraptails ever since I got a '95 Artist with a Wilky. There have been many Studios and Artists that slipped in and out of my basement over the years with Wilkys. One Studio had a TonePros, a couple had Pigtails and IIRC one had a PRS. No Hipshot boiled egg slicers.

Wilky, TonePros, PRS all worked & sounded great. Granted, the Wilky was more tedious to set up than the others. But once you got the Wilky setup it sounded as good as the others. It sounded even better when I didn't need to shell out a couple hundred bucks for a TonePros, Pigtails, PRS, or a boiled egg slicer.

Once you have it setup unless you are changing string guages, why does it need to be adjusted? If you only replace one string at a time the bridge doesn't get loose, requiring you to re-setup the bridge. I never tried one of those plain round bar bridges that Gibson used for many years and so much timeless rock n roll was recorded. I never owned one of those big body "jazz" boxes that had the bridge sitting on top of the body held in place by string tension.

Play watcha got. Save your money.

Cheers!

caddie

The stock bridge is notchless.

True! Have your Certified, State Licensed Luthier take a file and install 6 grooves, still way cheaper than a new bridge.

btw 6sand7s, phoenetically notchless bridge is pretty close to crotchless britches. Just sayin...

And get off my lawn, ya damn kids.

[sixesandsevens]

I'd totally replace mine with a bridge with notches if I was having Len's problem, but so far the stock bridge has been "good enough" for me.

I think a later incarnation of the Wilkinson even has the PRS-style grooves. (http://www.guitarfetish.com/Wilkinson-Lightweight-Adjustable-Intonated-Wrapround-Bridge_p_892.html)

Man... For $30, I should try one of those out...

[Caddie]

And get off my lawn, ya damn kids.

Now THAT was funny. thanks for the belly laugh G Man!

[Len]

Got one of my Luthier buddies to cut some notches in it ... works great ... problem solved ... Thanks everyone ...

[BubbaVO]

I was going to offer my services with a hacksaw. But I suspect you probably made a much wiser choice going with your friend.

[sixesandsevens]

I was going to offer my services with a hacksaw. But I suspect you probably made a much wiser choice going with your friend.

TIL friend-with-hacksaw >= internet-acquaintance-with-hacksaw

[mhmike]

I think I posted in a tone of other threads about this in regards to imperial/metric, what the stock studs are, what fits, etc.

I got a Faber that fit the existing studs, exactly titled this on eBay (and probably other sites as well, if you search by model):

Faber TPWC-59 Compensated Wraparound Tailpiece

Of course I couldn't set it up correctly worth a damn, but I took it to a local guy after putting it and a set of strings on and now it plays and sounds great.