Completed another little mini project, I thought some may be interested in (also, it's never a bad thing getting to show off this Lester's beautiful top). So, my ES-330 and ES-335 both have ABR-1 bridges and my LP Standard has always had a Nashville style bridge. I really love as vintage as possible, so have always lamented having to use the fat Nashville bridge instead of an ABR-1. Do I buy that an ABR-1 has less pieces and provides better contact with the body, thereby providing better tone and sustain? I don't know, but I still always preferred the ABR-1.
Well, apparently Faber has a conversion kit with their ABR version bridge, so I placed an order. Great customer service from Faber because I immediately got an email telling me I probably ordered the wrong ABR from them (They have 3-4 different versions) based on the conversion kit being part of the order. He said to go with a different SKU that was made for this kit, which I did. Love when a company actually cares, like that.
It all arrived today, and I installed it during lunch. First, took off the strings and did a quick fret polish, brush off, and oil:
Next, took off the Nashville bridge and unscrewed the threaded posts you set the bridge on:
They provide a simple long screw with a wing nut end to screw in there and eventually pry the anchor bushings out of the body. Here's a look at the Nashville bridge (top) and the ABR with conversion kit (bottom):
Something I had read about this kind of project is to always check the depth of your mounting routes. Mine were 2-3mm too shallow, causing the new posts to stick out just a bit. I didn't have a drill or anything, but I was able to get a small flathead screw driver and basically chisel just enough wood out of the hole to allow the posts to completely install. However, the posts were not as snug as I would have liked. They could easily be pulled in and out, causing a little bit of wiggle. Luckily, I had some 3m aluminum foil tape from a home project I had done, and wrapped a little strip around each posts to help them fit nice and snug:
From there, just had to drop on the bridge, install the strings, check neck relief, sting height, intonation, and I'm done!
Big difference? Couldn't confidently tell you. I know I prefer it, so that's all that matters. I would have to A/B both options and really listen closely for any differences. For anyone interested in going with an ABR-1 style bridge instead of a Nashville style, this was a very simple conversion kit I would highly recommend.
Well, apparently Faber has a conversion kit with their ABR version bridge, so I placed an order. Great customer service from Faber because I immediately got an email telling me I probably ordered the wrong ABR from them (They have 3-4 different versions) based on the conversion kit being part of the order. He said to go with a different SKU that was made for this kit, which I did. Love when a company actually cares, like that.
It all arrived today, and I installed it during lunch. First, took off the strings and did a quick fret polish, brush off, and oil:
Next, took off the Nashville bridge and unscrewed the threaded posts you set the bridge on:
They provide a simple long screw with a wing nut end to screw in there and eventually pry the anchor bushings out of the body. Here's a look at the Nashville bridge (top) and the ABR with conversion kit (bottom):
Something I had read about this kind of project is to always check the depth of your mounting routes. Mine were 2-3mm too shallow, causing the new posts to stick out just a bit. I didn't have a drill or anything, but I was able to get a small flathead screw driver and basically chisel just enough wood out of the hole to allow the posts to completely install. However, the posts were not as snug as I would have liked. They could easily be pulled in and out, causing a little bit of wiggle. Luckily, I had some 3m aluminum foil tape from a home project I had done, and wrapped a little strip around each posts to help them fit nice and snug:
From there, just had to drop on the bridge, install the strings, check neck relief, sting height, intonation, and I'm done!
Big difference? Couldn't confidently tell you. I know I prefer it, so that's all that matters. I would have to A/B both options and really listen closely for any differences. For anyone interested in going with an ABR-1 style bridge instead of a Nashville style, this was a very simple conversion kit I would highly recommend.
