The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: 4stringer77 on August 02, 2017, 03:51:57 PM
-
The bridge on my EB-1 is in rough shape. I brought the bass to a tech I know who originally hails from Nantucket. He also works at John Mann's guitar vault. John will take a drawing of my bridge and fabricate a new one made from chrome plated brass with brass saddles. He would like to make a run of 25 units of these so I figured I should get the word out. This is still in the preliminary stage and I welcome any constructive input from whoever here would like to give it or from anyone interested in getting a replacement for their own Gibson.
-
If it's to come with vintage accurate bushings (deeper/sharper/more knurl - they bite in and don't slip out like modern ones) then I am def in.
.... in fact, I bet you could do reasonably well just selling those bushings on their own.
-
I think you may want to redesign the way the bridge sits on the bridge posts.
With the original Gibson two point bridge that is clearly a design flaw (causing the tilt and other problems)
Duesenberg for example has an excellent two point bridge which use lock down screws for the bridge posts.
-
I believe the plan was to use the existing bushings however it would make sense to offer those as well to other people. Does Duesenberg offer their bridge separately as an aftermarket part and would it retrofit a Gibson bass? If that's the case then there's no need to have John fabricate a new one. I'll see that the info from this thread gets to John as well.
For those not familiar with John Mann, here's a link to his page.
http://guitarvaultusa.com/about-us/#.WYMhw7pFyUk
-
The Duesenberg bridge comes in two different widths. One of those might fit.
But it won't be a replacement for the Evertilt as it needs a separate tail stop.
(https://www.tonefactory.nl/media/catalog/product/cache/2/image/650x650/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/h/d/hdv4n_720x600.jpg)
https://www.tonefactory.nl/duesenberg-bass-bridge-25x93mm-nickel
http://www.goeldo.de/hardware/bass-bruecken/2800/duesenberg-bass-bridge
-
Thank you Rob. Even if the Duesy was a fit, I'd prefer not to have to add a tail piece. I'm hoping some interest can get going for this project so John has some extra motivation to get it started. I'd imagine there's plenty of people with EB-2 or Les Paul basses who could use something better than what hipshot can offer.
-
I only mentioned the Duesenberg bridge because of the lock down studs.
Not as a suggestion to replace the Evertilt.
-
Yes, it would be a shame to recreate the bridge only to repeat the same mistakes. I trust the new designer will have the foresight to avoid the same problem. Lock down stud, isn't that what the ladies call you in the Netherlands? ;D
-
Tonepros makes locking studs in nickel or chrome, metric and SAE. Their supplied anchors bite. Not cheap but easier than reinventing the wheel.
-
Thank you Rob. Even if the Duesy was a fit, I'd prefer not to have to add a tail piece. I'm hoping some interest can get going for this project so John has some extra motivation to get it started. I'd imagine there's plenty of people with EB-2 or Les Paul basses who could use something better than what hipshot can offer.
Trapeze attached only by the butt end strap pin works and requires no new holes in the bass, if that's the issue.
-
I'm interested. I have two basses (EB-3 and LP Triumph) with the two-point bridge. As long as the design is nice and the price ok (I know these are'nt going to be cheap though).
-
A trapeze tailpiece wouldn't look right and might make finding the correct strings more difficult. My friend mentioned somewhere around $150. We'll see how it goes.
-
Fits and works fine - it's what I did on my Triumph. I have an EB3 too - would totally fit (measured) but I have a Schaller 460 on there now so don't need it.
-
Alas!, there goes the easy stringholder solution that has always been advocated in certain quarters here to argue the alleged conceptual design strength of the two
tilt point ...
-
Yes, I agree with uwe, if a tail piece was used, the 2-point would not have the tilting issue, even without locking studs. On a short-scale there's plenty if room for a tailpiece, if that's what you elected to do. On a long-scale there's just no room (except the EB-2 of course).
-
A tailpiece would have to work with the arched tops of the EB-1, EB-2 and LP. I doubt they're all the same.
Whatever you decide, I hope you can get enough interest to produce them. There isn't another solution for these basses but there can't be that big a market. I doubt you could make much of a dent in Hipshot's 2-point sales for EB-0/EB-3.
Tonepros makes locking studs in nickel or chrome, metric and SAE. Their supplied anchors bite. Not cheap but easier than reinventing the wheel.
Are the inserts and studs on the basses the same dimensions as on the guitars?
-
Are the inserts and studs on the basses the same dimensions as on the guitars?
Modern ones are. Not sure about pre-70s cuz I've never pulled ones that old out of a guitar, but I would assume so (because prats were more the same between g and b back in the day , and from the few pics I've seen).
Tonepros are just stupid expensive though. The bushings are much better than modern ones (about as good as the early 80s ones, which are the same basic design as modern, but the knurls are still there and triangular vs smaller and further spaced vaults (rounded over).... not sure when the design changed, but the 60s ones have the knrarliest biting knurl and no top flange).
(http://www.tonepros.com/images/PRODUCT_SPRS2-C_600.jpg)
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/dCgAAOSwnDZT9N52/s-l300.jpg)
-
A tailpiece would have to work with the arched tops of the EB-1, EB-2 and LP. I doubt they're all the same.
Whatever you decide, I hope you can get enough interest to produce them. There isn't another solution for these basses but there can't be that big a market. I doubt you could make much of a dent in Hipshot's 2-point sales for EB-0/EB-3.
Are the inserts and studs on the basses the same dimensions as on the guitars?
There should be enough of a market to sell at least 25 of these which is all he intends to produce initially. I'm only trying to get a new bridge for my EB-1, if it turns out to be a nice piece of hardware, maybe the word will get out and more will get made. Hard to say but I think a guy who came up with a bridge for the PRS guitar should be able to come up with something nice to replace all those aging shoddy tune-omatics out there.
-
Modern ones are. Not sure about pre-70s cuz I've never pulled ones that old out of a guitar, but I would assume so (because prats were more the same between g and b back in the day , and from the few pics I've seen).
Tonepros are just stupid expensive though. The bushings are much better than modern ones (about as good as the early 80s ones, which are the same basic design as modern, but the knurls are still there and triangular vs smaller and further spaced vaults (rounded over).... not sure when the design changed, but the 60s ones have the knrarliest biting knurl and no top flange).
They must be the same as on the old ones then too.
There should be enough of a market to sell at least 25 of these which is all he intends to produce initially. I'm only trying to get a new bridge for my EB-1, if it turns out to be a nice piece of hardware, maybe the word will get out and more will get made. Hard to say but I think a guy who came up with a bridge for the PRS guitar should be able to come up with something nice to replace all those aging shoddy tune-omatics out there.
Plenty of them are still in fine shape and aren't shoddy at all. Still, there are problems with some of them and there ought to be enough market for a short run. Your guy has to make a profit, though, and I've seen his prices. That may be the biggest barrier.
-
Good news everyone! The tune-o-matic two point bridge replacement is now officially in it's design stage. I expect to have something tangible to share in the next few weeks or so. Besides the one being made for me there should be at least a couple more for sale at this early stage. If interest develops, John Mann will be glad to make a larger production run later on. When it's ready, you'll hear about it on this forum first if I can help it.
-
Cool!