adjustable bridge

[David Houchens]

I'm fixing up an old slope shouldered J45 with the adjustable style bridge. Most of the bridge, the saddle and the two posts that adjust the saddle height are missing. I have the means to make all of these but for time sake I'd rather buy them.
I guess my real question is does anyone know where I can purchase this style bridge? I haven't called Gibson yet. I'd like to think it could be had for less than they"d probably want.
Thanks, David

[Ned Knepp]

My brother and I had a vintage J45 in our collection that came to us without a bridge and needing a neck reset. This was before we worked up the courage to attempt a repair of our own so we took it to a local luthier. He suggested what we may want to replace the adjustable hardware with a fixed bone bridge to improve conduction and save bridge weight. It sounded wonderful when we compared it to other Gibsons that retained the original hardware. Unless authenticity is really important to you I would suggest that you consider this.

I don't think I have the original hardware anymore, it's been 30 years and many guitars ago but I will look. BTW, our guitar had a "reversed" belly bridge with the rounded belly towards the sound hole rather than what we have come to consider the standard bridge placement. I don't know if this would make any difference in the hardware.

Ned

[Matt Haugen]

Frank passed this information on to me and this place had exactly what I was looking for. They are prmopt on responding to emails and very helpful. Contact Greg at Classic Ax (www.classicax.com).

[David Houchens]

Ned, thanks. This was my suggestion to him as well. He would like to keep it as original as possible.


Stinger, Thanks for the info. I'll give them a call.

[Ned Knepp]

David,
I looked through my boxes of old hardware and didn't find much of anything that is still functional. I've got a couple of old saddles but one is ceramic and has been broken and glued back together, not something I would want to trust. The other is only one of those old thin stamped steel saddle with no other hardware. I think this one used a block of wood underneath it for support but I don't have it or any of the adjustment screws.

I also found a top belly bridge but I 'm not sure that it came from a Gibson. It has the extra holes that were used to bolt some of these into position. It's in good shape, maybe too good which makes me think it's not original.

I don't really know what you are looking for but that's pretty much what I have besides a couple of wooden saddles that are either broken or too soft.

Sorry.

Ned

[David Houchens]

Ned, Thanks for looking. I'll probably just go ahead and make it. Hes willing to pay the extra, I just thought it would be quicker. Again thanks, David