moose0130
Wholenote
Enter your message here...
Posts: 155
|
Post by moose0130 on Sept 2, 2020 13:57:51 GMT -5
Can anyone offer some perspective on the differences? Pros/Cons?
|
|
|
Post by Cal-Woody on Sept 2, 2020 15:57:59 GMT -5
The Nashville bridge has longer intonation movement and the ABR(std) has a wire that runs across the saddle screws (vibration issues). If the bridge placement is really good an ABR bridge can work just fine and they also make an ABR bridge that doesn't have the wire. But if you decide to get the Nashville bridge, I would spend the extra money and get the Tone Pro's because it has locking post screws to further eliminate any vibration issues.
|
|
|
Post by Pinetree on Sept 3, 2020 15:28:38 GMT -5
Changed the strings on my Goldtop yesterday and said to myself "oh yeah, it has an ABR bridge".
I've owned Les Paul's since the 70's and really don't see a big difference.
.02
|
|
sirWheat
Wholenote
For a better future, play Stevie Wonder for your children.
Posts: 314
|
Post by sirWheat on Sept 3, 2020 17:08:04 GMT -5
I believe the two have different post spacing. Good idea to check before ordering...
|
|
|
Post by rdr on Sept 5, 2020 10:29:01 GMT -5
I recall that the more-lightly built ABR can sag after a LONG time. But I prefer them , as the Nashville seems a little clunky to me. I have both.
|
|
|
Post by funkykikuchiyo on Sept 6, 2020 12:47:31 GMT -5
Nashvilles have more throw for intonation, and you will rarely have to worry about flipping the saddles to get them where they're supposed to be. In theory the ABR should have plenty of adjustment when the bridge is installed correctly, but there are times when a Nashville will intonate correctly and the ABR won't. It is worth remembering that the ABR was likely designed with a floating archtop bridge base in mind, so it didn't need as much throw from front to back, since you could place the entire bridge in the best place first.
Both bridges are prone to sagging, the ABR a bit more so.
They mount differently most of the time, too. Typically the ABR has the threaded rod glued into the body with thumbwheels floating on there, while Nashvilles have inserts. There are exceptions though.
Besides the classic Nashville are some variations that are wider or have larger holes.
Many imported guitars (Epiphones included) will have an ABR style bridge, but it is mounted like a Nashville. Those can be replaced with a Gotoh "big hole" Nashville tune-o-matic and improve it in virtually every regard.
They do sound a bit different. It is very subtle, and I'd be hard pressed to say one sounds better. I don't think I'd ever make a change purely on sound. I'd only change if I was trying to cure some other issue, like intonation.
Last I checked, you could get conversion posts to put an ABR onto Nashville posts (the holes are slightly smaller on the ABR). I am yet to see a Nashville style with smaller holes or a way to get it to sit nicely on ABR posts. The difference is too small to insert a piece of brass tubing (I've tried) and the only easy thing to do without replacing the posts seems to be to build up the edges of the hole with epoxy or super glue and drill it out.
|
|
|
Post by LTB on Sept 7, 2020 14:43:15 GMT -5
I had guitars in years past with ABR bridges and hated that (especially with some strings) wouldn't intonate where I wouldn't be able to detect the those ugly notes when strumming. Thank goodness both my newer guitars (Gibson SG and Ibanez Archtop) have Nashville's on them.
|
|