Difference Between Original & New Style ABR-1 Bridge

ABR-1 Bridge Original vs New Style By Gibson USA

Introduction The ABR style bridge is the classic bridge style that has 6 to 32 threaded rods mounted directly on the guitar body. The stoptail equipped Gibson guitars from 1957 to 1974 had only one type of adjustable bridge known as the ABR-1 Tune-o-matic Bridge. Then, Nashville Bridge came into existence in the year 1974 and from that time Nashville Bridge was used on the USA line, but ABR-1 Bridge was mainly installed on the historic models and custom shop.

ABR-1 Bridges Types

To get more details on the difference between the two bridges check the blog post on what is the difference between the two types of ABR-1 brid ges ? Gibson made use of the ABR-1 on the USA models and Les Paul traditional in 2017. Gibson was making use of the ABR-1 Guitar Bridge on the modern and original collection. It is noticed on the ES models, SG models and not only LES Paul.

USA Gibson with ABR-1 The foremost thing to understand is that any Gibson ABR-1 will have the same bridge like yours. The only distinction is the way of mounting the bridge to the guitar. It can be understood clearly as you see the images below.

The Original ABR-1 has a threaded bridge posts of 6-32 size and thumbs wheel are separate. The bridge posts are directly mounted to the body. The new ABR-1 on the USA models have bushings inserted in the body.

Similar to the Nashville Bridge system, the USA models with “New ABR-1” have bushings inserted in the body. Moreover, it also has the thumb wheels and bridge posts which are screwed to the bushing.

The Real Difference Of Bridges

Size is the difference. The New ABR-1 and Nahsville have bushings of the same size that are mounted in the body of the guitar. Though, the above posts showcase that the thumb wheels that you drop on the ABR bridges have distinct diameters. The below image shows the difference.

What Does the Faber Bridge Upgrade Mean?

In the collection of ABR-59 bridges you can see the Faber® ABRH Bridge. This bridge is a lightweight drop which is non locking and a very simple bridge for replacement. It uses your present thumb wheels and integrated post and the bridge removes the rattling linked to the factory ABR-1 that has a saddle screw retaining wire. There is no need for specialized expertise and mechanisms.

Faber® Tone-Lock™ Locking Bridge The Faber® Tone-Lock™ Locking Bridge has additional advantages exclusive to no gap technology. It is like a standalone replacement bridge and for changing the bridge posts we have the tone lock master kit and for the USA Gibson you can use the ToneLock™ Bridge that has the “New ABR-1” system. For the “New ” ABR-1″ Faber® has three types of conversion posts and each one is explained in a detailed way so you can make a perfect selection depending on your needs.

Faber® Nashville & “New ABR-1” Conversion Bridge

The Faber® Tone-Lock™ Locking Bridge has additional advantages exclusive to no gap technology. It is like a standalone replacement bridge and for changing the bridge posts we have the tone lock master kit and for the USA Gibson you can use the Tone-Lock™ Bridge that has the “New ABR-1” syste m . For the “New ABR-1″ Faber® has three types of conversion posts and each one is explained in a detailed way so you can make a perfect selection depending on your needs.