Heritage 535 Hardware question

[creamedcorn]

Will a Gibson style ABR bridge and stopbar fit the stud arrangement on the Heritage 535?

[Trebor Renkluaf]

Originally Posted by creamedcorn

Will a Gibson style ABR bridge and stopbar fit the stud arrangement on the Heritage 535?

Not directly as the 535 has bussings for the bridge mounting posts. I've heard of people making the hole on a ABR1 bridge just slightly larger and then it can be used with the Nashville style posts, but I've never done it. A Nashville style bridge is a direct replacement for the bulky Schaller roller bridge. A standard stop tail piece is also a direct replacement for the bulky Schaller tail piece.

[creamedcorn]

Trebor,

Thanks for the info. I'm not married to the ABR, especially if it needs modification to work. As I understand it (from my tech), the problem with the Schaller roller bridge is that the radius doesn't match the neck, and that impedes proper set up.

Thanks again for the info... Jeff

[haslar]

Originally Posted by creamedcorn

As I understand it (from my tech), the problem with the Schaller roller bridge is that the radius doesn't match the neck, and that impedes proper set up.

My tech told me the same thing.
But he actually did bend the bridge so that the radius matches the neck.
Eventually, though, I replaced it with a tune-o-matic bridge, as I couldn't stand those moving saddles.

[creamedcorn]

Originally Posted by haslar

My tech told me the same thing.
But he actually did bend the bridge so that the radius matches the neck.
Eventually, though, I replaced it with a tune-o-matic bridge, as I couldn't stand those moving saddles.

Richard,

Which specific tune-o-matic did you use?

[David Collins]

The roller bridges never match the board radius on Heritage guitars - really dumb choice of hardware on their part if you ask me. I'm not sure off hand what bridge will make a direct replacement, but I have turned down the rollers on many a Heritage/Schaller bridge to correct the radius.