Changing bridge and nut. Necessary?

[GuitarUser]

Hi guys, again I own a Epiphone sg 400 custom, I hear people say their nuts are crappy, and yeah I'm having some tuning problems.
I emailed graph tech to know the correct nut for me and they said that it would be also good to change the bridge.
Heres the kit they suggested me http://www.graphtech.com/products.html?SubCategoryID=27


The problem is, this thing is pricey.. will it make that difference in my guitar?



Thanks!

[epilespaul2000]

It will the better hold in tune and increase some sustain. I would for sure, and then I'd get it setup. For a cheaper alternative you can get a tusq nut and Gotoh bridge. I think fellow member TWANG sells them.

[lukemacauley]

Yeah, what he said!

Go with a TUSQ nut and a Gotoh bridge, the one that's a direct fit in the Epi. You should be rockin' for less than half of Graphtech's suggestion.

Hope it helps.

[diceman]

I'll say NO!!! NOT necessary.

Having your nut slots filed to the appropriate depth IS needed, though.

I removed the Tonepros bridge from my Epi and went back to stock - and along with a nice setup and the ORIGINAL nut slots being recut, I couldn't be happier with it. Plays as good as my Gibsons.

[epilespaul2000]

He could at least change to a tusq nut. They are pretty cheap aren't they?

[overdriver]

Originally Posted by diceman

I'll say NO!!! NOT necessary.

Having your nut slots filed to the appropriate depth IS needed, though.

I removed the Tonepros bridge from my Epi and went back to stock - and along with a nice setup and the ORIGINAL nut slots being recut, I couldn't be happier with it. Plays as good as my Gibsons.

Dice you talking about your Elitist ? its got a bone nut does it not. I agree with you on the bridge but IMO a bone or Graph tech (tusq) nut would improve the open note sound on his guitar.

[overdriver]

Gotoh Tune-o-matic Bridge with Studs/Bushings at Stewart-MacDonald get this if you want a little better bridge, the gold platting is better than the Epis. Won't sound too much different but they are a little nicer.

I put grah tech saddles on my Epi Shearton II years ago didn't make a bit of difference. In fact I had to refile some or them cause they buzzed .

[overdriver]

Twang can get them ^ I think a person has to order a mim. from stewmac, that min being more than 27.$ I think .... could be wrong?

[EooN_PL]

Mostek gitarowy GOTOH / zamiennik do gitar typu LP (755669949) - Aukcje internetowe Allegro

So this one will fit directly? What would be the benefits of installing one?

[overdriver]

I don't see the one you are posting if its the same as the one I did. Well it does have a little more travel in the saddle slots. So if you where having any intonation problems, it would take care of that. It does not have a retainer wire, which some have problems with. And in general is made better, feels better. Etc. The platting is better. Some think they increase sustain , but IDK. Just a little nicer piece than the reg. Epi. The tonepro are the same bridge only with locking set screws added. The graph tech is again the same only with saddles made of their graphite thing.

[overdriver]

If ya do a search on the subject , you should be able to find days worth of reading on it.

[diceman]

Originally Posted by overdriver

Dice you talking about your Elitist ? its got a bone nut does it not. I agree with you on the bridge but IMO a bone or Graph tech (tusq) nut would improve the open note sound on his guitar.

Nope - stock MIK Epi - pickups upgraded - everything else stock!

[overdriver]

Originally Posted by diceman

Nope - stock MIK Epi - pickups upgraded - everything else stock!

when did ya get that , oh to replace the Elitist?


For heavens sake man put a bone on it. How did that nut up for ya? IMO cut way to deep , should a been tossed and a proper one (bone) made.

[diceman]

I'm with Overdriver 100% though - if you are going to upgrade the bridge, use the Gotoh - don't waste the extra money for the Tonepros (which IS a Gotoh bridge, with set screws). The set screws make no difference in my experience.

The stock bridge works well enough for me - I really enjoy the guitar "as is" - and had it converted back to bone stock after having pimped it out quite a bit. I did put some Epi USA pickups in it that I had lying around, but not because it "needed" anything IMO.

I'll take a good luthier setup over a hardware upgrade any day.

[diceman]

Originally Posted by overdriver

when did ya get that , oh to replace the Elitist?


For heavens sake man put a bone on it.

I've had this one for about 6 years - I just never played it as I didn't realize how great it was prior to having a "good" setup done (I'd had it set up once in a shop - didn't help much. My luthier made this thing an amazing player).

I don't gig with this guitar, it is just one I play at home - and serves me very well as-is.

My SG is with Roman Rist getting a bone nut right now (and some WB prototype doublebuckers!). I'd rather have a well cut corian or even plastic nut than a half ass cut upgraded nut if given the choice.

[overdriver]

Originally Posted by diceman

I've had this one for about 6 years - I just never played it as I didn't realize how great it was prior to having a "good" setup done (I'd had it set up once in a shop - didn't help much. My luthier made this thing an amazing player).

I don't gig with this guitar, it is just one I play at home - and serves me very well as-is.

My SG is with Roman Rist getting a bone nut right now (and some WB prototype doublebuckers!). I'd rather have a well cut corian or even plastic nut than a half ass cut upgraded nut if given the choice.

[Dolebludger]

To answer the original question, I do recommend changing the nut, if it is plastic. My luthier changed mine to bone for $27 parts and labor. I didn't have a major tuning prob before, but have none at all now. Plastic, no matter what you do to it, will always be a bit sticky under the pressure of the strings. Remember that tusq IS a form of plastic. Also, graphite nuts make the sound less bright on open strings. They work great on guitars with Strat-type trems, and are worth the tone trade-off on them. On guitars with no trem, graphite nuts aren't worth the open string dulling, IMO.

The effect of bridges on tuning is a function of how smooth the string groves are. Use of some 1200 grit sandpaper in those groves on the stock bridge will help about as much with staying in tune as can be done. As far as the bridge's effect on sustain is concerned, we are getting into a "dark science" involving a number of factors outside the bridge. All other factors being equal (such as wood density, attachment, and string angle behind the bridge), IMO the more dense and heavy the bridge, the greater the sustain. As with all "rules", there are exceptions.