Les Paul bridge mod, waste of time?

[SpiderWars]

Or maybe should be titled; Weird/useless mods you've done over the years, that you still don't regret.

I always liked the tailpiece screwed down tight to the body on my LP/335 (don't have a good reason other than I 'think' it sounds better). But I never liked the strings touching the rear edge of the tune-o-matic. I've tried wrapping over and that definitely sounds (and feels) different, not necessarily worse just not right for me. I can see how some might prefer it though. So I took the trusty, dusty dremel and went to work. I did this about 16 years ago so I can't remember any tonal difference, I doubt there is a noticable one. I just didn't like the strings touching the rear edge, looks like a design flaw.

So what do think? Waste of time?

 

[sg guy]

-I've done pretty much the same thing, when it hit's the edge of the bridge it loses tention and has a pronounced "plink" type tone, I've also turned the bridge around so you can access the adjustment screws.

 

[Chester Nimitz]

I would say only do it if your tone is affected ...

I tried those graphtech saddles due to all the forum hype.

They were awful, put the steel ones back on.

 

[cardinal]

Looks good to me. I assume the strings rubbing against the bridge could cause tuning problems, so this seems like a good idea. Personally, I don't run the tailpiece down super low just because I think the guitar feels a bit slinkier with less break angle over the bridge. But it's all just personal preference.

 

[Stramm8]

I've got a Les Paul with a Faber Tone Lock tail piece. It comes with spacers so you can tighten it down to the body but also adjust the height. Works great...

 

[IndyWS6]

I've got a Les Paul with a Faber Tone Lock tail piece. It comes with spacers so you can tighten it down to the body but also adjust the height. Works great...

Some appropriately-sized washers would accomplish the same thing with the stock tailpiece...

 

[SpiderWars]

I've got a Les Paul with a Faber Tone Lock tail piece. It comes with spacers so you can tighten it down to the body but also adjust the height. Works great...

Some appropriately-sized washers would accomplish the same thing with the stock tailpiece...

Brass or steel?

 

[IndyWS6]

I've got a Les Paul with a Faber Tone Lock tail piece. It comes with spacers so you can tighten it down to the body but also adjust the height. Works great...

Some appropriately-sized washers would accomplish the same thing with the stock tailpiece...

Brass or steel?

Steel. Brass is softer and will absorb some of the vibrations

 

[SpiderWars]

Yeah that would have been infinitely easier. So naturally I didn't go that route.

 

[halebox]

Try Nashville to ABR-1 conversion kit

 

[thenine]

I got a TonePros locking (tailpiece and bridge) to make string changes, faster/easier and the damn thing is tarnishing after only a month. WTF?

 

[mdc1mdc11]

Faber and it works great AND sounds better than the stock bridge in my Custom Shop Les Paul.

 

[thunda]

I got a TonePros locking (tailpiece and bridge) to make string changes, faster/easier and the damn thing is tarnishing after only a month. WTF?

could it be the nickle model? they will tarnish where the chrome ones don't.

 

[romanianreaper]

Slight thread hijack but while we are on the subject of Les Paul tailpiece/bridge parts, are the TonePros parts hype or do they really help?