Tonepros bridge replacement on an import-advice needed

[Garygtr]

I'm looking to replace the ABR bridge on my Epi Riviera with a Tonepros, I'm assuming (and please tell me if I'm wrong) that the Tonepros will have less rattle and saddle movement.
Here's the dilemma:
The bridge posts on the Epi are threaded into inserts that are set in the body. These are NOT the large bridge posts that you see on a lot of imports (and that Tonepros has a direct replacement for), the posts are only slightly bigger than the standard ones you would find on an ABR. When I installed the ABR years ago, I enlarged the holes on the ABR slightly with a drill bit, and they fit fine. But, I'm not sure I can do the same thing to a Tonepros ABR replacement without buggering up the locking system. Replacing the entire assembly and body inserts is a problem also, as the inserts are larger than the standard inserts, and would necesitate filling the holes and then redrilling them.
I have already emailed Tonepros and am awaiting a response, just wondering if someone here has run into a similiar problem. I'm leaning towards getting the standard ABR and hoping that enlarging the holes slightly won't screw up anything.

[operanonverba]

I can answer part of your thread. The tonepros bridge will be a vast improvement over your stock ABR in the area of tightness, rattle and saddle movement. They are the king of cleaning up the slop. As far as the post problem, not sure. It seems like the tonepros that I bought came with posts. I would suspect that if you drilled out the bridge holes you would stand a chance of messing up the locking threads but it may not. If you take the allen set screws out you may just have to clean up the threads at the end after drilling out the hole. It could work out but it's an expensive gamble. Better to solve the post problem that allows you to mount the tonepros IMO.

[walterw]

it should be easy to take the locking screws out, widen the holes as necessary, then crank the locking screws back in. the bridge metal is pretty soft.

[Bob V]

You may be confusing the terminology; if the bridge has threaded inserts in the top it would be referred to as a "Nashville" type, not an "ABR." All of them are "TuneOMatics." OK enough snobbery with the semantics, now some help:

Take pictures of the bridge - showing the top as well as the studs from the side. Send them to Brian at Marquis Distributing (there's a link from the TonePros site) and he'll make sure you get a bridge that will fit.

[Garygtr]

Originally Posted by Bob V

You may be confusing the terminology; if the bridge has threaded inserts in the top it would be referred to as a "Nashville" type, not an "ABR." All of them are "TuneOMatics." OK enough snobbery with the semantics, now some help:

Take pictures of the bridge - showing the top as well as the studs from the side. Send them to Brian at Marquis Distributing (there's a link from the TonePros site) and he'll make sure you get a bridge that will fit.

No, it is definitely an ABR-maybe I didn't explain the layout clearly. The bridge posts, rather than screwing directly into the body like on a vintage style LP, are threaded into inserts in the body.
I appreciate the replies, I agree the best option seems to be enlarging the holes on the Tonepros ABR style. It is not a big difference at all, just enough to piss you off What walterw said makes sense.

Thanks!

[OlAndrew]

I've got a Riviera Deluxe, (that's Korean made, and has a Bigsby) and did the mod. There's two sizes of posts that the bridge mounts on, 4mm and 6mm. You need to measure a post accurately. (Get a cheap dial caliper or sliding gauge at the hardware store) Then there's the distance, center-to-center of the posts. You need to measure that accurately, too.

Problem is, Epi's have been made in many many factories, and countries, even, and there's no consistency. You have to measure. There's even a few that no currently manufactured bridge matches. Most of 'em will have the Gibson post spacing, and a 6mm post size, though.

I know Graph Tech lists Tonepros for both post sizes on their site. That's with Graph Tech Saddles, a good thing if you're running a Bigsby or do a lot of bending. I'd assume TonePros has both sizes available, as well.

[Garygtr]

Originally Posted by OlAndrew

I've got a Riviera Deluxe, (that's Korean made, and has a Bigsby) and did the mod. There's two sizes of posts that the bridge mounts on, 4mm and 6mm. You need to measure a post accurately. (Get a cheap dial caliper or sliding gauge at the hardware store) Then there's the distance, center-to-center of the posts. You need to measure that accurately, too.

Problem is, Epi's have been made in many many factories, and countries, even, and there's no consistency. You have to measure. There's even a few that no currently manufactured bridge matches. Most of 'em will have the Gibson post spacing, and a 6mm post size, though.

I know Graph Tech lists Tonepros for both post sizes on their site. That's with Graph Tech Saddles, a good thing if you're running a Bigsby or do a lot of bending. I'd assume TonePros has both sizes available, as well.

Thanks for the info, I am definitely interested in the Graph Tech saddles. As I said, my posts are only slightly bigger than the standard Gibson posts-so maybe 4mm? Time to get a caliper.
Thanks again!