Gotoh vs. TonePros

[somesay]

Hey All,

I know there are previous threads about this subject, but I couldn't find out exactly what I needed to know. I'm interested in the TonePros bridge/tailpiece because it's solid and the intonation settings are larger, but it's a little expensive. So far I've gathered that the only difference between Gotoh's and TonePros' is that TonePros lock. What I need to know is are the TonePros so solid because of the lock, because if the Gotoh's are just as solid, then I'd rather get those for less money. And if this is the case, can anyone tell me a good place to find them (I live in Orange County, CA).

Thanks!

[diceman]

Gotoh is a better bridge than your stock Epi bridge.

I have a Tonepros on one of my Epis, and wouldn't spend the extra money for set screws if I were to do it again.

Thats just me - many feel otherwise.

[lp_junkie]

Gotoh and Tonepros are the same company, the locking feature while nice is not necessary.

Gotoh is great stuff and will definitely fit your needs well.

[Roman]

All the tonepros bridge is, is this, a gotoh, with holes drilled into it for the set screws

[Roman]

Btw, a warm welcome to another SoCal guy! Check out our raffle!

[diceman]

Originally Posted by Roman Rist

All the tonepros bridge is, is this, a gotoh, with holes drilled into it for the set screws

[somesay]

Thanks for the welcome, will definetly check out the raffle.

So if I get the Gotoh's, it wont wiggle like the stock bridge/tailpiece I have right now?

There seems to be 2 different metric bridge sizes: M8 x 1.25 and M4 x 0.7. Right one for Epiphone Les Paul Standard?

Tailpiece
Is < http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,...Tailpiece.html >
worth the price difference from
< http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,...Tailpiece.html >?

Lastly, any installation kinks I outta look out for?

Thanks!

[Funkwire]

The best advice I got when I was looking for a replacement bridge for my Epi GT:

"Your choices are the Gotoh and the TonePros. Buy the Gotoh and keep 40 bucks to spend on something else."

[overdriver]

M8 x 1.25 is the one. Unless you are going to want a finish other than chrome and you do not want an Aluminum tail piece just get the bridge. Use the stock chrome tail, if you want nickel or gold get both IMO if you can swing the price get the Aluminum . Sometimes those gotohs will fit quite tight indeed .
I got a tone pro for my Epi and had to raise up the bridge posts to get the thing on ,once lowered to the action I use, the posts tighten up againist the bridge tight enough that I could lift the guitar up by the bridge. So much for the locking screws. Something that does happen when installing them , tonepro site has the tip on raising the posts if the thing won't fit on .

[GNR4EVR]

Originally Posted by diceman

Is there a diff between the regular Epis and the Elitists? I need one for my Elitist due to a burr on the G string saddle causing buzz.

[lp_junkie]

The Elitist uses the ABR-1 Gibson vintage small post bridge.

[qwank]

i think i'm going to start buying Gotoh's and drilling and tapping the set screws in and sell them on Ebay for half of the tonepros price.

[GNR4EVR]

Originally Posted by lp_junkie

The Elitist uses the ABR-1 Gibson vintage small post bridge.

Thanks LP- Ive only had my Elitist for a few months and dont want to get the wrong part- And Im thinking of going gold on my hardware- any thoughts?

[qwank]

gold would look nice on a honeyburst

[WildeStarr]

I use and endorse TonePros products. I have their locking bridges and TP's on both of my LP's. Great stuff, I won't use anything else.

[GNR4EVR]

Originally Posted by WildeStarr

I use and endorse TonePros products. I have their locking bridges and TP's on both of my LP's. Great stuff, I won't use anything else.

Yes, but I think only Gibson makes the TOM bridge for an Elitist. AT least, thats what I gather here.

[overdriver]

Originally Posted by GNR4EVR

Yes, but I think only Gibson makes the TOM bridge for an Elitist. AT least, thats what I gather here.

Gibson doesn't make bridges to my knowledge. The elitist is Gotoh ABR1

[WildeStarr]

Originally Posted by overdriver

Gibson doesn't make bridges to my knowledge. The elitist is Gotoh ABR1

Gibson hardware used to be made by Schaller in Germany, I think all of it is now made by Gotoh.

[diceman]

A small post ABR will fit your Elitist as far as I know - you just cannot use Gibson thumbwheels as the Elitists use metric threads...

[overdriver]

Originally Posted by GNR4EVR

Is there a diff between the regular Epis and the Elitists? I need one for my Elitist due to a burr on the G string saddle causing buzz.

why not just have the burr removed, or a new saddle put on if ya can't file the burr out.

[diceman]

I had a little burr in the saddle slot on my Elitist Custom as well - the shop filed it out in .02 seconds I believe it was... haven't had any problems since!

[GNR4EVR]

Originally Posted by overdriver

why not just have the burr removed, or a new saddle put on if ya can't file the burr out.

Welp, Im lookin for a reason to go gold on all my hardware on my Honeyburst, and this is just what the doc ordered..!!

[overdriver]

Originally Posted by GNR4EVR

Welp, Im lookin for a reason to go gold on all my hardware on my Honeyburst, and this is just what the doc ordered..!!

Gold spray paint LOL

[GNR4EVR]

Originally Posted by overdriver

Gold spray paint LOL

lol

[ScottieS28]

stewmac.com has gotoh tom

[The_Sentry]

*bump*

I bought a TonePros bridge for half off. I ended up pulling it back off because there was a bit of play in the holes that was causing some intonation and buzz issues on the higher strings on the Sheraton II. I haven't given up on it....yet....but at this point I'm beginning to wonder if a better bet would be to cut up some thin strips of sheet metal to shim between the gaps.

Otherwise....nah....the Epi bridge actually sounded better.

[The_Sentry]

*bump again*

Hahaha...I just ditched the last ABR-1 bridge I had on my collection. For a Gotoh..

Question for those who support the locking bridge theory...

The Gotoh bridge retails at this wholesale outlet for $21.75

Gotoh® Tune-o-matic w/ Studs/Bushings - Nickel - Gotoh Tune-o-matic by GuitarPartsDepot.com

The Tonepros variant retails at $64.00

TonePros Metric Tune-o-Matic. Nickel - Metric Bridges by GuitarPartsDepot.com

So....

For those proponents of the locking bridge...these two bridges are exactly alike EXCEPT for the small hole and the allen screw which essentially makes contact with the bridge post as part of the "locking bridge"....

Is the Tonepros REALLY worth 3 times as much? How much "more tone" does someone get from these tiny allen screws?

[unity1906]

You can buy adapters M8 to M4 so you can use Voll or USA bridges I purchased a Schaller GTM - N and fitted graphtech saddles [They Make Bridges For Gibson] and drilled and tapped it for 3mm x 5mm stainless steel grub screws, so I have a home made locking bridge and saved around £17 in the process, works fine too. Also changed the bridge posts for USA 4mm, schaller has technical drawings for all products in pdf format. Gotoh Aluminium tailpiece with tone pro locking studs, all in lovely nickel from Thomann and Stew Mac. Really good prices.

Anyone know where to get open book headstock Tokais?

I hope this helps.

[-=[Shifty]=-]

Originally Posted by unity1906

Anyone know where to get open book headstock Tokais?

Tokai, Guitar, Gitarren, Springy Sound, Breezysound, Goldstar, Silverstar, Les Paul Reborn, Wraparound

[rsswesley]

Wow there is a ton of info here on this subject. If I read it all correctly are these the correct Gotoh parts for the Epi. I went to the stew-mac website for these. I just want to ensure they are the correct parts.

1511-Bridge
5740-Tailpiece