#1
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Change the adjustable bridge on a 1966 Gibson J-50?
Hi everybody,
I just got a 1966 Gibson J-50 which is a cool old guitar. It sounds pretty good right now but I've heard changing to a standard bridge with a bone saddle can increase the volume and give better tone. Makes sense by reducing the weight and having the string vibrations going more directly to the top the volume and tone should improve. Any experience with this? Know of anybody that is really good at doing it? Thanks for your input.
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1972 Martin D-28 1972 Martin D-18 2017 Martin D-18 2012 Martin 000-28H "Ambertone 1933"......"Rosebud" (The 000-28H is actually my wifes..:-) ) 2008 Fender American Standard Stratocaster |
#2
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Don't always believe what you've heard including anything in this reply But if it's such a cool old guitar why butch it up? There's a awesome 65' J50 ADJ in town with killing tone and growl factor -one of the best slopes I've played in a long time. It has a cracked plastic bridge on it and IMO playes and sounds better then many, many guitars I've tried lately. Besides once you retrofit it it's resale value (if you care) will be next to zero.
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#3
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That is one of the best mods you can do to a guitar. Lots of people can do it competently. You won't decrease its value.
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"Still a man hears what he wants to hear, and disregards the rest." --Paul Simon |
#4
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When I was looking for one if it had already had an expertly done retrofit to a rosewood bridge with a bone saddle I think I might have paid a little MORE for it.
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1972 Martin D-28 1972 Martin D-18 2017 Martin D-18 2012 Martin 000-28H "Ambertone 1933"......"Rosebud" (The 000-28H is actually my wifes..:-) ) 2008 Fender American Standard Stratocaster |
#5
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I,d say go for it |
#6
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I'd do it!!
I could care less about the re-sale value if I plan to keep the guitar and I like it. Plus, whoever invented the plastic adjustable bridge on Gibsons should be shot....if they've already passed on they should be dug up and shot again. I'd replace it in a heartbeat. But, I'd keep the old spare parts just in case I ever sold it.
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Collings, Martins, Gibsons, Taylor, Fenders, PRS's, Powers, a Takamine and MORGAN,TONEKING, FRIEDMAN AND FENDER amps..love them all!!! |
#7
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#8
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It is not that the idea of an adjustable bridge on a flattop was bad it was that Gibson never figured out how to do it properly. The main complaint about the Gibson adjustable bridge is the weight - they probably weigh three times as much as a standard rosewood bridge. There were also some issues about the way the bridge was bolted down to the plate causing pressure which tended to lead to more bellying than usual.
All in all changing the bridge, while it may only make a subtle difference in sound, certainly could not hurt.
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"You start off playing guitars to get girls & end up talking with middle-aged men about your fingernails" - Ed Gerhard Last edited by zombywoof; 07-08-2010 at 06:39 PM. |
#9
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I fabricate replacement bridges in rosewood for LG, J-45 and J-50 plastic bridge and adjustable bridge models and have never had anyone find that modification to be a bad thing. Plastic bridges are bad. Adjustable bridges are clunky.
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VintageParlorGuitars.com Fresh inventory just added, click link at left to view |
#10
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The guitar already sounds pretty good so I would expect it to really growl with a new rosewood bridge and bone saddle.
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1972 Martin D-28 1972 Martin D-18 2017 Martin D-18 2012 Martin 000-28H "Ambertone 1933"......"Rosebud" (The 000-28H is actually my wifes..:-) ) 2008 Fender American Standard Stratocaster |
#11
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You might be talking about Larry Allers, Gibson's Chief Engieer. Problem was in '66 he was no longer working under Ted McCarty and the shots were being called by the bean counters who took over CMI in '65. The guy you want shot was the same who gave us the Les Paul, ES-335. Hummingbird and some other non too shabby instruments. Seems to me he was a flippin' genius.
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"You start off playing guitars to get girls & end up talking with middle-aged men about your fingernails" - Ed Gerhard |
#12
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Collings, Martins, Gibsons, Taylor, Fenders, PRS's, Powers, a Takamine and MORGAN,TONEKING, FRIEDMAN AND FENDER amps..love them all!!! |
#13
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I am the orginal owner of a 1967 J-45 that had an adjustable bridge. My bridge cracked fairly early and I had it replaced with a rosewood and bone. It was way too many years ago to tell you if there was a large difference but I never had issues after that. I remember my luthier at the time also saying that they started to use plywood bridge plates which didn't help either. If however, I was looking a an original J-45 and the adjustable bridge was still ok , I would not mess with it. I think you will get an improvement but I would not sacrifice orginality for that I think will be a small improvement. I also don't think that a bridge replacement will affect resale at all. Many have done this but I would still keep it orginal.
Steve
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Steve 2020 McKnight Grand Recording - Cedar Top 2005 McKnight SS Dred 2001 Michael Keller Koa Baby 2014 Godin Inuk 2012 Deering B6 Openback Banjo 2012 Emerald Acoustic Doubleneck 2012 Rainsong JM1000 Black Ice 2009 Wechter Pathmaker 9600 LTD 1982 Yairi D-87 Doubleneck 1987 Ovation Collectors 1993 Ovation Collectors 1967 J-45 Gibson 1974 20th Annivers. Les Paul Custom |
#14
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Get it done it will sound better for sure. I have a thing for vintage J-50 Gibsons, great guitars.
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Sean |
#15
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Seems like a change that people frequently recommend. Honestly the late 60's Gibsons aren't all that prized by collectors, so if you can make it a better player, go for it. That said, make sure somebody competent and experienced does the work.
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1943 Gibson J-45 Martin Custom Shop 000-28 Authentic Aged 1937 Voyage Air VAOM-4 IBG Epiphone J-200 Aged Antique |