Solid Brass as a tuneomatic bridge?

[Mr 9finger]

I'm kinda sorta very curious about this. Seen them at GFS and got to thinking. Most of the stock tuneomatics we get on our guitars are made of zamac or some other cast and cintered metal. Brass does really good for some Floyd bridges and even some Strats benefit from it.

Solid brass has got to be better than that powder cast stuff we see all the time right? I wonder how it would affect the tone of a Les Paul? Oh well, they're cheap enough. Might be worth a shot I suppose.

[formula73]

The thing that's stopped me (I want to change my Kaufman V over to gold hardware from black) is that it LOOKS fairly tall and, well, it's ugly as hell. Ain't no nice way to say that.

[drpietrzak]

Here is one on my Epi (nickel plated version). I did not find big tone changes so switched back to the big G. It is just easier to tweak intonation on (standard) to me.

[formula73]

Just got mine installed after some grinder shenanigans. It was taller than the Gotoh Tonepros that was on there. After having ground down the baseplate and then the screws and THEN the locking screws, it's on. First report: I can't really hear much difference in tone, unplugged, but then, I'm not really done yet. I threw it on with the older strings just as a dry run. It is absolutely ugly as sin but I kinda like that. I need to do the slots as it doesn't exactly match the board radius but it is absolutely solid as a rock.

[drpietrzak]

I actually like it a bit better cut back on your than full height was on mine.

[formula73]

I wish the thumbscrews were bigger. They sit almost entirely under the base and thus, don't help with anything.

[Jeffblue]

I bought and installed the Wilkinson brass roller bridge from GFS. Far superior than the stock zamak crap



I also changed the stop tailpiece with a solid brass machined from a company called Wammiworld (Kahler) and installed TonePros locking studs.

[The Dali]

Wait... you put a $25 Wilkinson GFS roller bridge on a Gibson Les Paul Supreme? Either you are an extreme tinkerer or you bought that guitar from China.

[The Dali]

I don't know how it would affect the sound (good or bad) but I DO dig the satin brass finish.

[formula73]

Dali: he covered that in another thread. Yep, that's a real deal Supreme.

I honestly can't tell much difference based on the bridge, alone. The saddles on my old one were trashed from string tension and my gnarly ph. Honestly, even though brass supposedly tames highs, I feel a little more high end. It certainly didn't change the warm character of the guitar. Funny you mention the flat finish...I considered polishing it.

[Jeffblue]

Wait... you put a $25 Wilkinson GFS roller bridge on a Gibson Les Paul Supreme? Either you are an extreme tinkerer or you bought that guitar from China.

My guitar is a 2012 Gibson Les Paul Supreme and believe it or not, this bridge is WAY better than the cheap crap zamak pot metal bridge Gibson uses on their expensive guitars. Zamak is a more cost-effective way for Gibson to cut costs and cut corners instead of putting out quality hardware. I believe the Wilkinson is machined from solid brass and pieces. If Gibson really gave a crap about quality hardware, they would offer better bridge and tailpiece materials. The price I paid for this guitar, you'd think the bridge and tailpiece would be made of solid machined titanium. My tailpiece is also machined brass from a company called Wammiworld (Kahler). I also changed my pickups to Seymour Duncans and my Supreme can really be called Supreme now.

[The Dali]

My guitar is a 2012 Gibson Les Paul Supreme and believe it or not, this bridge is WAY better than the cheap crap zamak pot metal bridge Gibson uses on their expensive guitars. Zamak is a more cost-effective way for Gibson to cut costs and cut corners instead of putting out quality hardware. I believe the Wilkinson is machined from solid brass and pieces. If Gibson really gave a crap about quality hardware, they would offer better bridge and tailpiece materials. The price I paid for this guitar, you'd think the bridge and tailpiece would be made of solid machined titanium. My tailpiece is also machined brass from a company called Wammiworld (Kahler). I also changed my pickups to Seymour Duncans and my Supreme can really be called Supreme now.

I get it - what I don't get is why you'd pay that premium for a guitar that required new pickups, bridge and tailpiece. Just curious is all. Sorry to hi-jack the thread.

[King IzzO)))]

I don't know what bridge comes on the LP Supreme, but I replaced the Nashville on my SG with the big post (metric) Tonepro, and that was a huge difference, kinda like the brass trem block on a floyd difference.

[Andrew Lamprecht]

My SG Classic had the worst bridge I have ever seen on a guitar, just really poorly made.

(great guitar though, just an awful bridge)

[The Dali]

Guys... SG's cost $1500 on the HIGH end... LP Supremes are $3500 instruments.

[The Dali]

I'm kinda sorta very curious about this. Seen them at GFS and got to thinking. Most of the stock tuneomatics we get on our guitars are made of zamac or some other cast and cintered metal. Brass does really good for some Floyd bridges and even some Strats benefit from it.

Solid brass has got to be better than that powder cast stuff we see all the time right? I wonder how it would affect the tone of a Les Paul? Oh well, they're cheap enough. Might be worth a shot I suppose.

I might be in the minority, but if solid brass is that inexpensive AND improves tone, why wouldn't manufacturers use it as EOM? Just curious... GFS is iffy ... I'm skeptical that those bridges are REAL SOLID brass and of good quality. I tried to find a BRASS bridge for a telecaster project and I could only find one in the $300 range.

[formula73]

It's a ridiculously simple design, unlike a Tele bridge, and it looks like most of the parts are cast. It's real brass, however. Grind one and find out. No zinc here.

[Jeffblue]

I might be in the minority, but if solid brass is that inexpensive AND improves tone, why wouldn't manufacturers use it as EOM? Just curious... GFS is iffy ... I'm skeptical that those bridges are REAL SOLID brass and of good quality. I tried to find a BRASS bridge for a telecaster project and I could only find one in the $300 range.

I cannot answer why Gibson doesn't make premium bridges, tailpieces and hardware. Most companies are all about the bottom line. Machined bridges are always an improvement over cast. If you like a Gibson, you'll pay for a Gibson. I love the guitar, but hate the original hardware and pickups. I think people settle because they don't know any different or are unable to hear any difference. Some people are enthralled that they "own a Gibson." I build my own guitars, My Strats and Teles are builds that I do myself, just the way I like them. I buy some premium hardware as well as some of the normal stuff such as Wilkinson, Gotoh and Schaller. I know what works well and what is sub par. Gibson could actually do a better job on their hardware, pickups and electronics. Once again, like any other company in business to make money on a large scale, it is all about the bottom line.

[The Dali]

I cannot answer why Gibson doesn't make premium bridges, tailpieces and hardware. Most companies are all about the bottom line. Machined bridges are always an improvement over cast.Gibson could actually do a better job on their hardware, pickups and electronics. Once again, like any other company in business to make money on a large scale, it is all about the bottom line.

I think you are missing my point... if GFS can sell "better" bridges with "better" materials for less than what Gibson is paying for their hardware... why wouldn't Gibson use it?

ie, if "brass" is better and cheaper, why would guitar companies (not just Gibson) continue to use zemac or other metals?

[Jeffblue]

I think you are missing my point... if GFS can sell "better" bridges with "better" materials for less than what Gibson is paying for their hardware... why wouldn't Gibson use it?

ie, if "brass" is better and cheaper, why would guitar companies (not just Gibson) continue to use zemac or other metals?

If Gibson used other products in their guitars, it would no longer be a Gibson propriety product. Why would Gibson change anything when they have people like you and me who will buy their products just as they are? The difference for me is, I hate Gibson pickups and their hardware. I have absolutely improved my Les Paul Supreme beyond what many people could or want to comprehend.