Bridge Placement Issues!

[Tony Balls]

So, i'm trying to install a tune-o-matic bridge on a Gibson Firebird and am having problems when I measure out the scale length. When I run a straigt edge along the top and bottom edges of the neck and measure the scale, my measurement marks arent coming out exactly even on the body. The treble-side measurement, while at the same length from the nut, looks shorter on the body (i.e. the treble side of the bridge would slightly closer to the neck).

Now, I know that bridges on Gibsons normally slant this way, but what i'm curious about is whether, by measureing right, I caught the bridge angle on my own, or if there is a problem with the guitar that created this angle.

Does anyone have any advice? Anyone have a Gibson they want to do a quick scale measurement on for me???

[Mr Alex]

dont have a gibson but the bass side post should be 1/8" back from the treble side, and your neck angles may be a little off. try the fret calculator from stewmac, they give exact placement measurements for any scale length.

[Devon Headen]

I could be wrong, but it sounds to me like your neck centerline isn't parallel (or straight in line) with your body centerline. Your scale length is going to be off if you measure the scale length down the sides of the neck. You need to measure down the centerline for accurate placement.

[Tony Balls]

On closer inspection, I figured that the difference was slight (about 1/16") and not too important because I could soak it up in the tolerance on the bridge.

And sure enough I just mounted the bridge and intonated it and it plays like a champ! Now i'm midway through my celebratory six-pack.