Thinking of doing a bridge/tailpiece upgrade

[David Garner]

Got the bridge and tailpiece installed. It definitely changed the tone. It's not really brighter but it is more articulate with better note separation, so it comes across as brighter but without the harshness you usually associate with it. I'm very happy. It looks good too. I used the taller tailpiece bushings to get the break angle where I wanted it. Intonation is nearly perfect (I'll tweak it as I go along).

I used the INsert kit. I'm not sure if there would be much difference in tone if I had left the Nashville bushings in place. I also ordered the bridge unslotted and used a plastic mallet to slot them. Old school style.

 

[Cjsinla]

Me either??

NOR is installing an aluminum tailpiece an automatic upgrade..I wouldn't let one of those wimpy sounding tone suckers anywhere near my ANY of my Gibsons for that matter..that "open and airy" quality sounds like a castration IMSHO.

In my experience, it shifts the tone away from the focused lower mids that the zinc has, and makes it sound WEAK though a JMP2203.

Nothing sounds weak through a cranked JMP2203.

 

[Pesh]

Another vote for Faber parts; ABRL bridge and their locking aluminium tailpiece right here on my '14 Studio. Great purchase; easy to fit. Got the tail right up with all the included bushings underneath; the break angle is there but nice and slight - bends are a breeze now. Using the kit this way gives you top-wrap benefits like the break angle without marring the tailpiece when it's screwed the whole way down. Brilliant stuff; my Traditional Pro will soon be getting the same treatment; it's better than the current TonePros stuff on there.

 

[David Garner]

Got the tophats and pickguard bracket in today. I'm impressed with the Creamtone parts.

 

[Kris Ford]

Hey man just saw this, I've actually confirmed with Lonnie a few times that their bridge isn't a kluson. Maybe he'll stop by

I really love his stuff for the quality and the price it's the perfect balance.

Philadelphia Luthiers?

 

[Christosterone]

The correct answer is bigsby b7 with vibramate...
I was a slow convert to Les Pauls with bigsby tremelos but now I feel they look under-dressed without it..

-Christosterone

 

[David Garner]

Another vote for Faber parts; ABRL bridge and their locking aluminium tailpiece right here on my '14 Studio. Great purchase; easy to fit. Got the tail right up with all the included bushings underneath; the break angle is there but nice and slight - bends are a breeze now. Using the kit this way gives you top-wrap benefits like the break angle without marring the tailpiece when it's screwed the whole way down. Brilliant stuff; my Traditional Pro will soon be getting the same treatment; it's better than the current TonePros stuff on there.

I had the TonePros locking tailpiece studs and the ToneTail top wrap tailpiece and I have to agree -- the Faber system is fantastic. I can't comment on the tonal issues because the ToneTail is also aluminum and because I changed the bridge, bridge studs and tailpiece at the same time, but I love the feel and the lack of top wrapping gives more consistency to my bends. I like top wrapping because it makes the Les Paul feel more like my Strat (my no. 1b), but I have to say -- I think I'm keeping it like this instead. I'll just have to adapt to the Strat when I play it. The consistency of the bends is just too good this way, and being able to use the spacers to get the break angle correct is a fantastic benefit.

The bridge is something else. I still don't really know how to explain what it did to the tone except to say it's better. There is more sustain on all notes for sure, but it's more than that. There is an evenness to the tone that wasn't there before, and the note-to-note clarity is much improved. The INsert studs are no doubt responsible for part of this, but I think the more traditional bridge and saddle materials probably help too. It just sounds like a great Les Paul now. I was initially very skeptical about both the expense and the non-traditional mounting of the Faber Tone Lock setup, but I'm a believer now. I don't care if it's what they did in 1959 or not. It works, and it works very well.

I tend to agree with Satchmo that the look isn't as nice, but I don't care as much about that. I don't think most people will notice, and those that will more than likely will understand why.

 

[SiLeach66]

I don't have any issues with the tone of my guitar now, but better is always….well, better. What do people think of the various systems out there?

I have a 2016 Trad that I've upgraded/tinkered with, so here's some advice... for what it's worth.
I see someone mentioned Q-Parts, but I have experience of them and wouldn't recommend them. They look great but the tail piece was half the weight of the original and I didn't like the bridge, as the saddles were cut really wide. It had a definite and noticeable effect on my tone and sustain, so the originals went back on.

I then had a mad moment and decided to paint the originals.
I used acrylic artists paint (kind of water colours). I mixed up a grey on the pallette that looked similar to the Q-Parts spares (I used them to colour match) and then using a small artist brush and a sponge I went to work. First attempt wasn't great, so I washed the paint off and started again. Once I was happy I used a matt non-shine varnish to seal it. It looks great, it looks like they were made in 1959 but they're the original parts so I kept my tone and sustain. I'd recommend having a go, it's cheap and easy and keeps the original parts. If I can find some pics I'll post them.

 

[SiLeach66]

and I can !

hand painted tail piece and bridge !

 

[SiLeach66]

I just realised I was a bit unfair on Q-Parts there, as although I didn't like the tail piece or bridge, I have used their knobs, amber tip, pickup surrounds, toggle switch plate and jack cover.

Note: the pointers are from ebay as the Q-Parts ones didn't fit the 2016 pots !

 

[David Garner]

That's a pretty good home distressing job!