federaldepot Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 I have reached the end of my days in dealing with the wraparound bridge. It will never live up to the standards that I have come to expect from the Gibson tunomatic bridge I want to convert 3 of my guitars from wraparound to tunomatic bridges I measured the difference at the wraparound posts and it appears to be .5 inches larger that the standard tunomatic post length and exactly the same length as the stoptail posts Are there any aftermarket tunomatic bridges that are the same width at the studs as the stoptail studs? I know Ill have to drill and mount a 2nd set of holes for the new stoptail Are there any tutotials on this? What are my options? Im trying to avoid doing a retop and hoping for some color touchup instead Thanks ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verhoevenc Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 You're going to destroy THREE PRS guitars?!?!! Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
federaldepot Posted September 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 You're going to destroy THREE PRS guitars?!?!! Chris 3 PRS SE guitars. The Korean models, and no I plan to be able to play the guitars after the mods are done so destroying them isn't an option Any luthiers here on the board? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhoads56 Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 You're going to destroy THREE PRS guitars?!?!! Chris 3 PRS SE guitars. The Korean models, and no I plan to be able to play the guitars after the mods are done so destroying them isn't an option Any luthiers here on the board? there are only a few tonepro offer a direct replacement bridge that gives you the benefits of adjustable intonation, whilst matching the stud spacing of your guitar. They are reasonably pricey, but cheaper than paying a luthier to convert to tunomatic etc. However, the PRS SE's can easily be converted to tunomatic specs, depending on how well you want the old stud holes filled and repaired. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
federaldepot Posted September 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 You're going to destroy THREE PRS guitars?!?!! Chris 3 PRS SE guitars. The Korean models, and no I plan to be able to play the guitars after the mods are done so destroying them isn't an option Any luthiers here on the board? there are only a few tonepro offer a direct replacement bridge that gives you the benefits of adjustable intonation, whilst matching the stud spacing of your guitar. They are reasonably pricey, but cheaper than paying a luthier to convert to tunomatic etc. However, the PRS SE's can easily be converted to tunomatic specs, depending on how well you want the old stud holes filled and repaired. Hi rhoads56, Thanks for the info Can you tell me anything about filling in the old stud holes? How do I extract the metal bushing screw mounts that are in the holes? What kind of material(s) is best to use as a filler? Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verhoevenc Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 Most of us are luthier's. And if that was an attempted jab at me for my response.... whatever. As for doing it to SEs you shoulda said so earlier. I have no issue with that. I'd recommend filling with a dowel of matching size, glued in. Then re-drill for the side that you want (you WILL however see the dowel a bit though). If the studs touch the edge but don't fit really tight, then just fill the hole with titebond, push in the stud. Let it dry (titebond doesn't stick to metal!). Then pull out the stud and you have a perfect glove fit for the stud. However that only works if there's a TINY diff. in studd size... Chris PS: to find out how to get the bushings out, click on my name and search through my threads I started for the one where I did a tutorial on a bushing puller made at ace-hardware. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Sorbera Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 I'm with perry on this one. Buy a good wraparound, some locking studs, and your set Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
federaldepot Posted September 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 Most of us are luthier's. And if that was an attempted jab at me for my response.... whatever. As for doing it to SEs you shoulda said so earlier. I have no issue with that. I'd recommend filling with a dowel of matching size, glued in. Then re-drill for the side that you want (you WILL however see the dowel a bit though). If the studs touch the edge but don't fit really tight, then just fill the hole with titebond, push in the stud. Let it dry (titebond doesn't stick to metal!). Then pull out the stud and you have a perfect glove fit for the stud. However that only works if there's a TINY diff. in studd size... Chris PS: to find out how to get the bushings out, click on my name and search through my threads I started for the one where I did a tutorial on a bushing puller made at ace-hardware. Hi Chris Thanks for that info. Based on my measurements and a rough diagram there will be .25 inches of the dowel remaining on either right side of the post holes. I can definately live with that or just use a dab of model airplane paint to touch that area up so it isnt so obvious. My plan is a well playing gutiar with just a very minor color touchup on the stud ends. No need for anything extravagent. As for the comment of the luthiers being a jab at you I ride straight and speak the truth. Innuendo is something I have no use for. It was just a simple question in response to a simple anwer I'll hunt for that the bushing puller thread Thanks again John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhoads56 Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 Most of us are luthier's. And if that was an attempted jab at me for my response.... whatever. ummm.... ok.... i think the original poster meant "are there any pro's here?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
federaldepot Posted September 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 I'm with perry on this one. Buy a good wraparound, some locking studs, and your set Hi Godin SD, Man I cant do it. The wraparound bridge and I are a love affair gone really bad Thanks! John Most of us are luthier's. And if that was an attempted jab at me for my response.... whatever. ummm.... ok.... i think the original poster meant "are there any pro's here?" rhoads56, your definately on the same page as I John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verhoevenc Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 If you can't find it give me a PM and I'll search around a bit. I know how it can be hard to find something you've never seen before... and I have the upper hand in having seen it and knowing relatively where it is Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crafty Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 I think you'll get a cleaner look if you use wood plugs instead of dowels. You can either make them yourself if you have a drill press and a special plug kit, or you can just buy a pack of them from a woodworking supply store. I think it also might give you a little more strength, but it probably doesn't make a difference if you're using bushing-style bridges rather than the older ABR-1 style bridge. Either way, I wouldn't even feel bad about doing it on a real PRS. Unless it's a Private Stock, there's too many of them out there to feel bad about customizing one the way you like it, as long as you don't butcher the job. I like TOM bridges and stopbars myself and that's one reason why I own a Les Paul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setch Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 I think the people advocating the intonatable wraparound are on the right track. It's an easier, reversible, and equally functional conversion. There are many great adjustable wraparound on the market - pigtail, Gotoh 510, mann made, tonepros, badass - all are really good quality. If you want to try it first, there are also some pretty decent inexpensive clones of the baddass which are widely avaialble. I'd strongly consider trying one of those before performing an irreversible modification. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
federaldepot Posted September 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 I think the people advocating the intonatable wraparound are on the right track. It's an easier, reversible, and equally functional conversion. There are many great adjustable wraparound on the market - pigtail, Gotoh 510, mann made, tonepros, badass - all are really good quality. If you want to try it first, there are also some pretty decent inexpensive clones of the baddass which are widely avaialble. I'd strongly consider trying one of those before performing an irreversible modification. Hi Setch, Been there and done that as far as the intonatable wraparound. Pigtail, Badass and Tonepros (Tonepros and pigtail turned out to be the same thing basically) No, I cant stand it any longer. The intonatable wraparound and I are a love affair gone really bad Thanks! John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 Hipshot baby-grand bridge? Its basically a TOM with the tailpiece attatched to the bridge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verhoevenc Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 Hells yeah! I LOVE the baby grands! My bridge of choice! and it's got the stop and TOM all on two posts Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoundAt11 Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 Good suggestion on the Baby Grand bridge or one of the Pigtail or Tone-Pro's. Being import guitars, the studs for the wraparound may fit a tunomatic to. I've had two Korean Epiphone guitars that use the same body bushings for the bridge and the tailpiece. To pull them out, I've done it many times: use a claw hammer to pull it out. First, just an exacto knife to score any finish that might be on the bushings (because if you don't, you may chip the finish when pulling out the bushings), find you something broad and flat, like a small scrap of plywood or or something to distribute the pressure from prying the hammer on top of your guitar. Screw the stud in about half way and use a claw hammer to pull out the whole part, just as you'd pull out a nail. Rock the hammer back gently and the bushing should pop right out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
federaldepot Posted September 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 Hipshot baby-grand bridge? Its basically a TOM with the tailpiece attatched to the bridge Hi Ben I cant do that kind of space age hardware The tried and true for me John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AlexVDL Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhoads56 Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 I just don't see the difference between this tonepros PRS bridge and a TOM. This is a direct replaceable bridge and it acts the same as a TOM. What is exactly your problem? they feel different when playing (fretting). They feel different when you lean on them and palm mute they look different Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tasty Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 I have a TremontiSE PRS that I have modified and I absolutely love my pigtail wraparound bridge. I paired that up with some locking studs, locking tuners and Seymour Duncans and the guitar absolutely rips! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 they feel different when playing (fretting). ??? how? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
federaldepot Posted September 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 I just don't see the difference between this tonepros PRS bridge and a TOM. This is a direct replaceable bridge and it acts the same as a TOM. What is exactly your problem? they feel different when playing (fretting). They feel different when you lean on them and palm mute they look different Hi rhoads56, You see things the way I do. I notice a much different feel when playing a TON vs a wraparound. Also I notice a much different sound in the gutiars as the TOM allows a greater degree of string vibration becuase of its design. Ive always felt that some of the string vibration was sacraficed by the thickness of the wraparound givingit less treble and mid and more bass Ive already got the mounting plugs out of the guitars. Time to mail order some wood dowels and the hardware! John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregP Posted September 15, 2006 Report Share Posted September 15, 2006 I notice a much different feel when playing a TON vs a wraparound. Also I notice a much different sound in the gutiars as the TOM allows a greater degree of string vibration becuase of its design. Ive always felt that some of the string vibration was sacraficed by the thickness of the wraparound givingit less treble and mid and more bass Ive already got the mounting plugs out of the guitars. Time to mail order some wood dowels and the hardware! John I TOTALLY agree that it feels, looks, and frets differently. But the treble, bass, and mid comment is pretty much just tone voodoo talking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AlexVDL Posted September 15, 2006 Report Share Posted September 15, 2006 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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