I have this beat up '98 SG Special I'm trying to fix up. I had it apart last night and noticed the bridge posts weren't secured to the body. Should the bridge posts in a Special be set into metal inserts that sits in the holes in the body (Nashville) or should they screw directly into the wood of the body (ABR-1). The posts mine were just sitting loose in holes in the wood of the body. I'm wondering if they were stripped or the inserts were just removed by someone at some point. I've attached a picture.
SG Special bridge
- Thread starter Jasonyeah
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Col Mustard
Well-Known Member
I'd take that to a good luthier and have the inserts mounted in those holes by a pro.
I think the location of them is so critical, and the amount of stress they stand up to
is so high that it's worth getting it done right.
You could buy the parts and do the job yourself, especially if you own a drill press
and can use it accurately. You might need to glue dowels in there and re-drill it if
you don't want to use inserts. Good luck. Some people rave about ABR-1 bridges, and
many of us are happy with the Nashville version. I have three guitars with Tuna matic
bridges, and two of them are made by TonePros. But there are other good choices if
you want to replace what you have.
I think the location of them is so critical, and the amount of stress they stand up to
is so high that it's worth getting it done right.
You could buy the parts and do the job yourself, especially if you own a drill press
and can use it accurately. You might need to glue dowels in there and re-drill it if
you don't want to use inserts. Good luck. Some people rave about ABR-1 bridges, and
many of us are happy with the Nashville version. I have three guitars with Tuna matic
bridges, and two of them are made by TonePros. But there are other good choices if
you want to replace what you have.
dampsneaker
Well-Known Member
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I'm no expert but I believe that the wire over the screws indicates that it's an ABR.
Col Mustard
Well-Known Member
There are others on this forum who know what year Gibson stopped with the ABR 1 on the SG special, and began with the Nashville. They may chime in. Or you could google that question. Our reference section may tell, if you do some looking.
Personally I think that the Nashville with the inserts works well at this critical point.
Others hold out for the ABR 1, feeling that Gibson got it right the first time. From your
point of view, you get to make up your own mind. I think that the Nashville works better for modern strings (as it was designed to do), and the ABR-1 was designed at a time when all guitarists used heavy heavy strings.
So if you intend to down tune your SG and play that style, the ABR-1 and heavy strings may have an advantage for you. That's not my style, so I don't know.
Personally I think that the Nashville with the inserts works well at this critical point.
Others hold out for the ABR 1, feeling that Gibson got it right the first time. From your
point of view, you get to make up your own mind. I think that the Nashville works better for modern strings (as it was designed to do), and the ABR-1 was designed at a time when all guitarists used heavy heavy strings.
So if you intend to down tune your SG and play that style, the ABR-1 and heavy strings may have an advantage for you. That's not my style, so I don't know.
Susihukkanen
Well-Known Member
That is an ABR-bridge. I'd do like Col suggested and take it to the luthier. A bridge post at incorrect place would screw the intonation.
