stop tail vs. trapeze

pete · 02-14-2009, 03:40 AM

I am looking at late '60s es-335s. I was wondering if anyone has an opinion, good or bad, about the trapeze and Abr. vs the stop tail and Abr . Does the trapeze play different? Does it stay in tune? Thanks in advance.

Deftone · 02-20-2009, 08:55 AM

I can tell you I had a ES137 with a stop tail and it sounded exactly like a Les Paul...which is exactly what Gibson says it sounds like. It has a wood center block inside to support the bridge and tailpiece. I believe the hollow body guitars with a trapeze tailpiece are true hollow bodies...no center block.

IMHO, If you want a hollow body, get one with a trapeze...that should mean no center block and a true hollow body sound.

dennistruckdriver · 02-20-2009, 08:56 AM

If it's a 335, it has a center block, regardless of tailpiece, doesn't it?

The_Sentry · 02-20-2009, 09:57 AM

A stop bar tailpiece is probably superior for the purposes of receiving sympathetic vibrations from the tonewood of your guitar....but trapeze sytle bridges are...really cool looking!

(Plus, it's easier to upgrade those with a Bigsby...)

dwagar · 02-21-2009, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennistruckdriver

If it's a 335, it has a center block, regardless of tailpiece, doesn't it?

correct, you have to get an ES330 if you want that style in a true hollow body.

1959burst · 02-21-2009, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennistruckdriver

If it's a 335, it has a center block, regardless of tailpiece, doesn't it?

yes but the center block got shorter in the 60's.

HEY!YOU! · 03-02-2009, 11:40 PM

My '69/'70
Bone stock from Norm's Rare Guitars.
I thought it was a most excellent sounding axe, didn't miss the stoptail at all.
I think the nylon saddles and trapeze gave it a sweet tone.

JohnnyL · 03-06-2009, 05:25 PM

I haver a '67 Trini Lopez with the trapeze and love the way it sounds and plays. You can definitely hear the wood coming through. I couldn't imagine it sounding any better! It will stay exactly as it is.

Good Luck,

Johnny

strat71 · 03-07-2009, 03:12 PM

my .02...
i got this old 67 ES345... it sounded quite dead, new strings were sounding right for two days before turning dull, flat, dead...
i noticed that because of the neck geometry, the strings angle at the bridge was very low, almost flat, there was no pressure on the bridge...
so i decided to drill two holes for a tailpiece...
after installing a new tonepros lightweight tailpiece, my guitar now sounds REALLY great, especially in the low strings... very well defined...
best improvement i ever did on a guitar...
of course, some may sound great with trapeze, but i think it depends on the angle at the bridge...
BEFORE (notice the low strings angle at the bridge)

AFTER TONEMACHINE...

Ben

02-14-2009, 03:40 AM	#1 (permalink)
pete Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 47 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	stop tail vs. trapeze I am looking at late '60s es-335s. I was wondering if anyone has an opinion, good or bad, about the trapeze and Abr. vs the stop tail and Abr . Does the trapeze play different? Does it stay in tune? Thanks in advance.

02-20-2009, 08:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
Deftone Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Rocklin, CA Posts: 2,729 Thanks: 185 Thanked 36 Times in 13 Posts	Re: stop tail vs. trapeze I can tell you I had a ES137 with a stop tail and it sounded exactly like a Les Paul...which is exactly what Gibson says it sounds like. It has a wood center block inside to support the bridge and tailpiece. I believe the hollow body guitars with a trapeze tailpiece are true hollow bodies...no center block. IMHO, If you want a hollow body, get one with a trapeze...that should mean no center block and a true hollow body sound. __________________ -Mark '87 LP Custom Lite: Black '88 LP Custom Lite: Cherryburst '89 LP Studio Lite: Black W/ factory Floyd trem '02 SG Special Faded Krank Rev. jr. mini stack + Celestion V30 & G12H Marshall Lead 12 5w hand wired tube mini stack Phaez 18w Dasiycutter + efx loop + Avatar vert. 2X12 w/Eminence 100w

02-20-2009, 09:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
The_Sentry Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 17,236 Thanks: 449 Thanked 497 Times in 107 Posts	Re: stop tail vs. trapeze A stop bar tailpiece is probably superior for the purposes of receiving sympathetic vibrations from the tonewood of your guitar....but trapeze sytle bridges are...really cool looking! (Plus, it's easier to upgrade those with a Bigsby...) __________________ The Geartalk Video Blog

03-02-2009, 11:40 PM	#7 (permalink)
HEY!YOU! Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 211 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: stop tail vs. trapeze My '69/'70 Bone stock from Norm's Rare Guitars. I thought it was a most excellent sounding axe, didn't miss the stoptail at all. I think the nylon saddles and trapeze gave it a sweet tone.

03-06-2009, 05:25 PM	#8 (permalink)
JohnnyL Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: stop tail vs. trapeze I haver a '67 Trini Lopez with the trapeze and love the way it sounds and plays. You can definitely hear the wood coming through. I couldn't imagine it sounding any better! It will stay exactly as it is. Good Luck, Johnny

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03-07-2009, 03:12 PM	#9 (permalink)
strat71 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 16 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: stop tail vs. trapeze my .02... i got this old 67 ES345... it sounded quite dead, new strings were sounding right for two days before turning dull, flat, dead... i noticed that because of the neck geometry, the strings angle at the bridge was very low, almost flat, there was no pressure on the bridge... so i decided to drill two holes for a tailpiece... after installing a new tonepros lightweight tailpiece, my guitar now sounds REALLY great, especially in the low strings... very well defined... best improvement i ever did on a guitar... of course, some may sound great with trapeze, but i think it depends on the angle at the bridge... BEFORE (notice the low strings angle at the bridge) AFTER TONEMACHINE... Ben

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