The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: Freuds_Cat on April 08, 2009, 01:14:32 AM
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Is it my eyes or are Gibson suggesting (visualy) on their website that its an OK thing to have the string binding or tie off run up and over the top of your bridge saddles?
(http://www2.gibson.com/getdoc/a7bc38a9-49de-4c33-8d48-c7951a81d0ad/BASFWCCH1-Close-Halfcut-Top.aspx)
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why cant they make the bridge a bit longer at the back?
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Use the modbar and you're safe.
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It's a myth that it has any audible effect. And it doesn't hamper intonation either. Otherwise, taperwound bassstrings with just the core running across the saddle would be non-intonateable. In fact they are probably more accurately intonateable than regular strings.
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I've never minded the extra wrapping on the saddles since I never expwrienced a problem with intonation nor sound. Like Rob said, the mod bar is the easiest solution if needed.
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Longs scale strings won't fit on my 32" Burns and I couldn't find medium strings, so I fitted a set of shortscales. At the nut, the wrapping is like an inch over the fretboard. No sound difference.
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I'm not suggesting there is a tonal or physical minus to doing it, simply that its seems bad form for Gibson not to supply a ModBar or similar bridge modification so that it doesn't do it. It looks amateurish.
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It's just one of those things that's done that way because it's always been that way, too short a distance between the saddles and the anchor point of the strings. Others can manage to have a combination bridge-tailpiece without this. Gibson is just special. It's a special design feature. :rolleyes:
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Heh, indeed ;)
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When the three point came out and was stuck onto those long scale SG basses like the EB 4 there wasn't enough room for removing the anchoring farther from the saddle. Unless you would have anchored at the other side of the bass that is. :mrgreen: Then again, Gibson has experience with wrap around bridges ...
Any comments of Dave on the immaculate three point should be taken with a pinch of salt though: After all this man favors the two point. :o
Uwe
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Or maybe the three point bridge is only half of the configuration. It should come with either a tailstop or string through body ferrules.
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3 point and stringholder = crowded mess (visually)
They work well with string-thru-body setup though like Ripper and RD had. I always wonder why they never did that for the TBird. Additional production costs are minimal and those who prefer anchoring just behind the saddle could still do that.
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I don't see where it matters - I rather like the look, and I'm confident that the point of any saddle is going to either compress the silk or work its way through the wrappings and make solid contact with the metal part of the string as soon as the instrument is played for a few minutes.
So to me, both sides of it are a non-issue. :rolleyes:
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3 point and stringholder = crowded mess (visually)
Oh it's not that bad Uwe:
(http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/107/l_559456cac16343e3ad043e8e4fbc609d.jpg)
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Gr(eco)uesome looking ... :-X
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When the three point came out and was stuck onto those long scale SG basses like the EB 4 there wasn't enough room for removing the anchoring farther from the saddle. Unless you would have anchored at the other side of the bass that is. :mrgreen: Then again, Gibson has experience with wrap around bridges ...
Any comments of Dave on the immaculate three point should be taken with a pinch of salt though: After all this man favors the two point. :o
Uwe
The two pointers have the same issue (silk on the saddles), as you know. And the long scale slotheads didn't really have enough room for a separate tailpiece anyway.
Back when John Slog was writing for Vintage Guitar magazine, he had a brief entry with a photo of an early EB-0 prototype (doublecut Junior style) with a separate tailpiece. So Gibson thought about it way back then. And did nothing.
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this works, one of Dr Bills T-Bird thinga a ma jiggies. sorry i am too lazy to take the guard off but thanks Doc. cool trade. thats one of Ken's guards on my Epi along with a 60's pup.
(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/cathousemouse/epi%20modded%20and%20sg%20project/Projects001crop.jpg)
please forgive my Fenderish tug bar!
figured as long as i was bolting on stuff:
(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/cathousemouse/epi%20modded%20and%20sg%20project/Projects005.jpg)
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I was going to mention the "thru body" bit but Uwe beat me to it - just need to get the drill out...
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Back when John Slog was writing for Vintage Guitar magazine, he had a brief entry with a photo of an early EB-0 prototype (doublecut Junior style) with a separate tailpiece.
Now, Dave, you won't have a copy of that pic somewhere?
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Yep, my 2 Qs were:
- Where's that pic?
- Why doesn't Uwe has that bass yet?
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I still have the issue, I'll have to look through a stack.
Not sure how well a 15 year old article on newsprint stock will scan. I'll try.
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From the May 1995 issue (complete with Python reference):
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/davepix/Basses/60ebo_vg_1.jpg)
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That is the sixties TBird bridge, ain't It? Though the Birds flew only in 63, but with Gibson nothing is ever wasted.
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whoo-nice .i bet it sounds really good.
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That is the sixties TBird bridge, ain't It? Though the Birds flew only in 63, but with Gibson nothing is ever wasted.
It may not be the exact same but it's close.
If anyone's interested, I have a larger scan that's too big for my free Photobucket account.
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I love just about everything in that bass, that "narrow" headstock is one of my favourites!
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It may not be the exact same but it's close.
If anyone's interested, I have a larger scan that's too big for my free Photobucket account.
I think it would be a great addition to Jules' site.
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Yep, nice!
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Absolutely astonishing bass! I seem to remember that we once had a discussion - was it here, or in the Pit? - concerning the Eb0. Someone knew that a few of the Eb0 slab body had been made in 61-62. Could this be one of those? Cause the tailpiece and bridge sure looks T-bird/Embassy to me. Anyone knows? Who made the tailpiece/bridge, and what year? Enlighten me, please!
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Staffan, I know nothing beyond what was in that article. Your guess is as good as mine about the date, it says 1960 in the title and 1959 in the postscript but no clue about the serial number. I suspect the bass came through John's store. You could always contact him and see if he remembers Guitar Villa (http://www.guitar-villa.com/). Who knows, maybe he bought it privately.
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From the May 1995 issue (complete with Python reference):
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/davepix/Basses/60ebo_vg_1.jpg)
i think this bridge /tailpiece setup on this bass looks fantastic , and i'm sure its got to be better than the standard EB 0 bridge.
i've been thinking about trying to do something like this to my modded EB 0 bass , i know that LINDSAY GUITARS makes a relplacement T-bird bridge , as apparently does SCOTT DASSON , ( although i can't find anything on the net about him ) any one got a lead on him ?
and anyone have an idea where to get a matching T-bird tailpiece ? i can't find these anywhere either
if i cn get the parts , i'm gonna try this on my bass ,
that bass in the pic looks FANTASTIC ,
Dave W , i would love to get a larger scan of that pic , how do i go about it ?
thanks for any help guys ,
dexter
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dexter, if you don't mind getting a 3.7 MB attachment, I'll email it to you. Just let me know.
Scott Dasson is godofthunder on this forum. Send him a PM.
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thanks Dave W , i have sent you my email in p.m.
thanks also for other info , cheers ;)
regards , dexter
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Hi Dexter, Scott or sometimes called GOT...............................or worse. I do have a bridge of my design for vintage Gibson Thunderbirds years '63-'69, it has extra travel for the bridge saddles. It mounts on the oringinal studs "intonation without modification" It has been used on various other basses, Entwistle style Fenderbirds etc. I do not make the tail piece but there is a great guy here Bill (drbassman) who has small batches made up from time to time. Bill's tail piece along with my bridge is on the bass in the photo, a rather well worn and abused '67 I rescued. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/67TBthumbrest002.jpg)
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hi Scott , thanks for the reply, your replacement bridge looks fantastic , lovely looking bass too :)
thanks for the lowdown on the tailpiece too , i'll chase that up.
do you know if anyone has successfully installed this Tbird bridge configuration to a early sixties EB 0 , EB 3 , I have it in mind to try it on my modded 61 EBO.
i have sent you a pm , for further info,
thanks
regards , dexter
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Are the studs are spaced the same on the Thunderbird and the 61 era EB-0? If so, then you'll also need to make sure the saddle height and string spacing will work.
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Dave, That is something I don't know. I'll get some measurements for you soon.
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Scott, I don't know the early EB-0 bar bridge stud spacing measurements either, I sold my 62 EB-0F years ago. The measurements changed in the late 60s. Uwe, eb2, Jules or others will probably have them written down.
They may be identical to the T-birds but you know with Gibson you can't take that for granted.
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i would really appreciate any measurements you two guys can get for me . i will try get some measurements off posts on my bass .
one thing i have noticed is they are not lined up , the e string side is about 5 mm further back :-\ ... i don't know if this is just my bass ,or all those early ones .
UWE , i'm sure you could shed some light on this ?
it may be that i would have to fill one hole ,and redrill for post to make them aligned .
Scott , could you give me the height from the top of the bass the the top of the saddle on the bridge ,when bridge is set at its lowest point ?
this is probably gonna be the critical factor if i can try this set-up. this will determine the lowest i can set the string height
thanks ,
dexter
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Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but the stud spacing on the bar bridge EB-0 is 3 1/4" center-to-center. And yes, it's slightly offset.
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height at the E string is 9/16, stud spacing looks to be 3 1/16 from the inside of the studs not the centers. Hope that helps.
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Sorry, my EB-0 in Junior shape is currently at the luthier!
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Even if the stud spacing is narrower ( and I think it is ) I bet you could file the bridge to fit it is just nickel plated brass, I'd break out the file before I moved studs.
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Scot thanks for the E string side measurement , have you got the measurement for the G string side.
i sent you a private message re price and ordering one ,
regards , dexter
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Scott , godofthunder , hey , i been trying to contact you by private message , please check your inbox,
i want to order a Tbird bridge from you ,
thanks ,
regards , dexter
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Sorry about that , I have had no notice about new messages.......................odd. Any how sure let me know how you would like to pay.