Help with identifying bridge on 2006 / 2007 Gibson Les Paul DC Pro (Guitar Center Exclusive)

[bogginhead]

Hi guys. Long time lurker with an account for years, but first real post here. I'm looking to possibly swap out the bridge on my 2006 or 2007 (I believe it was said to be an '06 when I purchased it years ago) Gibson Les Paul DC Pro (Guitar Center Exclusive) soon, and am having trouble with making sure the type of bridge I'll need as well as what's already on it. Forgive me if my post is elementary; just want to make sure I get the right thing when the time comes. As far as I can tell, the stock bridge looks to screw directly into the wood on the body, but there looks to be a "washer" or something around the screw; I'm not sure if this is what's called a "bushing" or not, hence my question. Can't tell whether I've got a Nashville or an ABR-1. Would anyone here be able to help me figure this out by chance? I very much appreciate any and all help; thanks so much!

 

[Cjsinla]

Sure looks like a Nashville bridge. The posts screw into a metal sleeve/bushing that is pressed into a hole in the top.

 

[Brek]

great looking guitar. I think if you are looking for an abr style bridge there are a few aftermarket ones that are designed to fit the nashville post holes. Not really sure if changing a bridge is an improvement or not tried a fee different ones in my guitars, like the faber abr-1. and even an old '65 bridge, I think that had a noticeable effect on the guitar.

 

[01GT Eibach]

... I'm looking to possibly swap out the bridge on my 2006 or 2007 Gibson Les Paul DC Pro

Very cool guitar. Why do you want to change the bridge?

 

[1allspub]

Pic isn't the best, but it looks to be a Nashville bridge. Nashville bridges are 3 piece units that have metal anchors in the body of the guitar with screw/thumbwheel combo-pieces that screw into the anchors. The bridge itself sits on the thumbwheels and turning them (the thumbwheels) is how bridge height is adjusted. I suspect the "washer" you are referring to is the thumbwheel. If, instead, you mean the round part that is mounted flush with the body, that is just the lip of the anchor.

A true ABR-1 has screws directly into the body (ie, no anchors) and separate thumbwheel discs that screw onto those body screws. The bridge itself sits on those thumbwheels (which, again, are used to adjust bridge height).

If you want to swap to an ABR-1 style bridge, you have a couple of options.

• Remove the Nashville anchors and replace them with Faber iNserts and get the corresponding Faber ABRN bridge that goes with the iNserts.
• Leave the Nashville anchors and get some Nashville conversion posts that screw directly into the Nashville anchors, but are sized to fit an ABR-1.
  • Available at Faber.
    • Proper Faber bridge would be the ABRN one listed above.
  • Also available at PLTSfor a lower price.
    • Also can get yourself an ABR-1 from PLTS here.

The Faber stuff is a bit higher quality (but you pay for it) than the PLTS, but the PLTS is far from low quality. I have used both with good results.

Word of warning... if you mix/match the hardware suppliers (e.g., get the conversion posts from PLTS and the bridge from Faber) you may have some fitment issues. I have mixed and matched and it is possible, but it took some massaging to make it all fit. Thus, probably best to stick with one supplier. As a rule I'd say the Faber hardware is a bit brighter than the PLTS (but I find Faber brighter than Gibson hardware too... to my ear the PLTS stuff is very Gibson sounding). If your guitar is dark, the Faber might be a good choice (despite the extra $). FYI... Faber is having a nice sale right now.

Good luck!

 

[flognoth]

I believe that is a Les Paul DC AA in Transparent Blue.

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Gibson/Les-Paul-Double-Cutaway-AA-Top-Electric-Guitar-Transparent-Blue-1273888007595.gc

It is a Nashville bridge on it. Nashville bridges have bushings inserted into the body as an anchor to help prevent the posts from moving or shifting over time.

I have the black version myself that I put a Faber bridge on and changed the plastics.

 

[Christosterone]

Yep…I immediately put a Nashville bridge on every lester I buy…

 

[bogginhead]

Thanks for the replies, guys; I really appreciate it. I've decided on going with one of these three Nashville bridges as an "upgrade" for the DC Pro: Gotoh, Kluson, or Schaller. The Schaller is definitely my favorite; I hope it comes with brass saddles. Both the Gotoh and Kluson come with brass saddles for sure...but seeing as how I'm kinda wanting to swap out the tuners for a set of Grover Mini Rotomatic locking tuners (405C I believe) I was hoping to find out if Grover's Nashville bridge uses brass saddles as well as I'd like to keep both the new bridge and tuners as coming from the same company if possible. I'm definitely cool with the Zinc bridge / brass saddles, though; I don't want to brighten my tone up too much for sure. Any idea about my choices here by chance?

 

[gball]

Thanks for the replies, guys; I really appreciate it. I've decided on going with one of these three Nashville bridges as an "upgrade" for the DC Pro: Gotoh, Kluson, or Schaller. The Schaller is definitely my favorite; I hope it comes with brass saddles. Both the Gotoh and Kluson come with brass saddles for sure...but seeing as how I'm kinda wanting to swap out the tuners for a set of Grover Mini Rotomatic locking tuners (405C I believe) I was hoping to find out if Grover's Nashville bridge uses brass saddles as well as I'd like to keep both the new bridge and tuners as coming from the same company if possible. I'm definitely cool with the Zinc bridge / brass saddles, though; I don't want to brighten my tone up too much for sure. Any idea about my choices here by chance?

Honestly, as someone else like Christosterone above, who prefers Nashville bridges and replaces ABRs with them, I don't think you are going to notice the slightest difference between any of those bridges and the stock one.

 

[bogginhead]

I believe that is a Les Paul DC AA in Transparent Blue.

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Gibson/Les-Paul-Double-Cutaway-AA-Top-Electric-Guitar-Transparent-Blue-1273888007595.gc

It is a Nashville bridge on it. Nashville bridges have bushings inserted into the body as an anchor to help prevent the posts from moving or shifting over time.

I have the black version myself that I put a Faber bridge on and changed the plastics.

View attachment 581640

You guessed correct, man By the way, when you changed yours out for the Faber did you happen to see if the stock Nashville was a Schaller or a Ping by chance?