Assistance appreciated for 335 Bridge…

PTony · #1 08-15-2022, 09:25 AM

Looking to replace the TonePro AVR II but don’t want to change studs. Any suggestions? Looking for direct replacing of bridge only. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Regards,
PT

Chickee · #2 08-15-2022, 09:48 AM

Hey Tony did you contact Tone Pros? Im sure they have a direct replacement that wont involve new studs. Did you change the bridge from a Gibson piece? If so, get a new Gibson bridge as a replacement. But im sure you thought of that…
frank d.

PTony · #3 08-15-2022, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chickee

Hey Tony did you contact Tone Pros? Im sure they have a direct replacement that wont involve new studs. Did you change the bridge from a Gibson piece? If so, get a new Gibson bridge as a replacement. But im sure you thought of that…
frank d.

Hi, Frank! I did think of that. I’ve not changed anything, but it seems the person that I bought it from replaced the orig ABR-1 with the TonePro AVR-2. But, no retaining wire (which was weird). Only the little black little hex washers left to hold the intonation screws in place. Which I guess they did. But it’s noisy. And rattling. Probably due to the lack of a retaining wire!

I bought a replacement TonePro AVR2P-N (saddle notches/retaining wire/lock to studs) on Reverb. I should have it in a day or two. That should resolve it.

Chickee · #4 08-15-2022, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PTony

Hi, Frank! I did think of that. I’ve not changed anything, but it seems the person that I bought it from replaced the orig ABR-1 with the TonePro AVR-2. But, no retaining wire (which was weird). Only the little black little hex washers left to hold the intonation screws in place. Which I guess they did. But it’s noisy. And rattling. Probably due to the lack of a retaining wire!

I bought a replacement TonePro AVR2P-N (saddle notches/retaining wire/lock to studs) on Reverb. I should have it in a day or two. That should resolve it.

Excellent! I have had good results with Tone Pros products. Stay well Tony!
frank

TobyB · #5 08-16-2022, 07:02 AM

ABM options might be worth looking at ... very solid engineering

PTony · #6 08-16-2022, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chickee

Excellent! I have had good results with Tone Pros products. Stay well Tony!
frank

Thank you, my friend. I appreciate the input and follow up. You do the same.

PTony · #7 08-16-2022, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TobyB

ABM options might be worth looking at ... very solid engineering

I’ve been researching them as well. The TP was cheap enough. If it doesn’t fair any better I’ll either go back to a factory Gibson ABR-1 or, perhaps delve into the ABM/Faber/Callahan world.

Thank you for weighing in. Any personal experience with ABM yourself? If so, care to share your opinion on them? Did you experienced any tonal change? What material was used? Much appreciated, friend.

PT

PTony · #8 08-19-2022, 09:13 AM

Well, after some “finagling” I got the Gibby back together. The replacement bridge arrived quickly, but with small “burrs” in some of the saddles. Minor issue, but it was a bit frustrating. I didn’t want SITAR tones. As cool as it was for about 45 seconds.

Some minor filing to the metal saddles, a quick nut once over, and a setup tweak…golden. I AM considering some drop in Grover locking tuners. Beyond that, I think we’ll call this one…complete.

Now, not to say I won’t try out a different bridge at some point. But, for now….she’ll do.

TobyB · #9 08-20-2022, 07:39 AM

I have been really impressed by ABM products.
It started with a Gretsch Electromatic that wouldn't hold tune ... replaced a pretty cheap'n'cheerful TOM bridge with a roller bridge which transformed both tuning stability and tone for the better.
Another had a wooden base that had warped with such a twist it had to be replaced... and again, replaced the metal stock bridge. Richer tones again.
I have also put an intonated wrap-around on an SG Special and an aluminium stop tail and bridge on my 335.
In each case, the amplified tone seems richer to my ears. In synth terms, perhaps like using more complex waveforms and detuning them ... maybe more harmonics? More definition? Not dissimilar to changing an old and dull set of strings to a new set? * I am understanding this as the milled rather than cast, beautifully precise engineering makes for more string energy being reflected back into them, rather than being absorbed by coarser metallurgy?
It might be confirmation bias at play, but the effect on my two mid-range Gretsch's was so striking I have been pleased to put ABM engineering on Gibson's too.

(* I have observed the change keeping strings to remove that element of bias)