J45 adjustable bridge mod: Report

[jwood1]

I am the original owner of a 1971 Gibson J45 with an adjustable bridge. I have never been thrilled with the sound: dull, lifeless, lacking clarity, and it has sat in its case for most of the last 10 years while I have played my Rainsong for everyday playing and gigs.

I tried replacing the original rosewood bridge with a ceramic one but it only improved the sound slightly.

Then I saw this video linked in a thread on this forum:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=je7O55Brnj0&t=3s

I was pretty convinced that the adjustable bridge was the main reason for the lifeless sound and I contacted my local luthier, Cathy Currier of Currier's Music World, Richmond, KY. I showed her the youtube video and she said, no problem, I can do that.

In the pictures below, you can see she did a beautiful job, and it is totally reversible if I ever want to go back to the original.

The difference in sound was amazing. It is like a new guitar. There is a considerable increase in volume, and the sound is much brighter with much more sustain. The biggest difference is in the clarity and brightness of the bass strings. I wish I had made a before and after recording, but you will just have to trust me. I have owned this guitar for 50 years, so was very familiar with the sound.

I highly recommend this mod for anyone with an adjustable bridge who is less than thrilled with the sound.

Pictures can be seen here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/v79Yfexkd63JmnbC8

[Wade Hampton]

While those adjustable bridges have a following, getting the replacement bridge saddle is definitely the way to go if you’re trying to optimize the tone. Congratulations on getting a better-sounding guitar out of the deal.


whm

[Br1ck]

I totally agree with changing the bridge on a sucky sounding guitar. You have nothing to lose. But I'd never do this on my Texan.

[Wade Hampton]

Originally Posted by Br1ck

I totally agree with changing the bridge on a sucky sounding guitar. You have nothing to use. But I'd never do this on my Texan.

“Nothing to use” or “nothing to lose?”


whm

[Brucebubs]

I made a similar saddle insert myself on an old Hondo 12-string guitar with an adjustable height bridge.



I had a cheap aftermarket rosewood 12-string bridge that I carefully cut out the area around the saddle.



Hours and hours of sanding and trying to drop the pin heights lower to improve the break angle turned out to be fruitless in the end - the bellying and neck angle were way too much for me - so I abandoned the project - but the saddle insert did work!

[mirwa]

For such a nice guitar, the insert whilst functional could have been made to look way better.

Steve

[lowrider]

She did a very nice job, but what surprises me is that you'v had a guitar that you thought sounded crappy since 1971 and you just now did something about it.