Bridge, ABR-1, Non-Wired, Zinc Body w/ Notched Titanium Saddles, Chrome

A non-wired ABR-1 bridge with a cast zinc body and notched titanium saddles: the original 1954 Gibson adjustable bridge design, with very lightweight saddles that are ready for strings. Made in the USA by the OEM supplier to Gibson. The bridge is chrome plated and the intonation screws are nickel plated.

Fits guitars built for an ABR-1, on 6-32 threaded posts with thumbwheels. Posts and thumbwheels are not included.

Details

The original Gibson adjustable bridge. This is the original Adjustable Bridge (ABR) that Gibson introduced in 1954 on the Super 400CES and the Les Paul Custom, and on the Les Paul Standard in mid-to-late 1955. Gibson called it the Tune-O-Matic™. Paired with the new stop tailpiece, it gave these guitars adjustable intonation for the first time. The later "Nashville" bridge is similar but wider.

Wired or non-wired. From 1954 to 1961 the bridge had no retaining wire, so the saddles could fall out when the strings were removed if you weren't careful. In 1961 Gibson added a retaining wire across the saddles to hold them in place while the strings are off.

How it mounts. The bridge slips over two 6-32 threaded posts set into the body. It rests on thumbwheels screwed onto the posts; turn the thumbwheels up or down to set the bridge height.

About titanium saddles. Titanium saddles are very lightweight, and that will have a tonal consequence. Whether it's a tonal improvement is completely subjective; some people say they make the guitar sound brighter, but once you get into tonal minutiae, all guarantees are off!

Specs

• ABR-1 bridge, non-wired (no saddle retaining wire)
• Cast zinc body
• Chrome-plated bridge; nickel-plated intonation screws
• Titanium saddles, notched
• Made in the USA by the OEM supplier to Gibson
• Fits 6-32 threaded posts, spaced 2-29/32" (73.8 mm) center to center
• Post holes .150" (3.8 mm) diameter
• Length 3.300" (83.8 mm), width .438" (11.1 mm)
• Height .445" (11.3 mm) at the ends, .353" (9 mm) at the center
• Weight 54 g