Bridge, ABR-1, OEM Wired, Zinc, Nickel

A wired ABR-1 bridge in cast zinc with zinc saddles: the original Gibson adjustable bridge with the retaining wire added in 1961, which holds the saddles in place when the strings are off. Made in the USA by the OEM supplier to Gibson.

The saddles come un-notched and must be notched before use (see Details). 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.

Notching the saddles. The saddles come un-notched and must be notched properly before use. This is usually done with nut-slotting files, but round needle files will also do the job.

Specs

• ABR-1 bridge, wired (with saddle retaining wire)
• Cast zinc body and saddles, nickel finish
• Saddles un-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 57.8 g