Dearmond bridge question

[jp]

A few questions to M-75T or -77T owners out there.
-- Does anyone know who makes the standard roller bridges on these guitars? They look a lot like those sold on Reverend guitars, but with smaller saddles.

-- Also, do they work alright, i.e. resonance, sustain, no buzzing so common with roller saddles?
-- Anyone have a preference for a certain kind over another? Schallers? Wilkinsons?

 

[BluesDan]

Hi JP. I have a DA M77T. Sorry I can't help with the manufacturer of the bridge. But I will say that the most surprising thing about mine was the absence of any problems with intonation or tuning issues with the Digsby, roller bridge set-up. I was actually expecting "issues". So far, none whatsoever. I will add that mine is the ONLY M77t I have ever played so I can't say if that is the norm or if I just got lucky. Matstickma is probably your man for a qualified answer.

Body shot of my M77T:

Regards,
Dan

 

[jp]

Nice M-77T Dan,

I'm still GAS'n for one of those, especially a blue one. Not sure if they came in blue like the M-75Ts.

The bridge on the Dearmonds look similar to the unbranded TOM-bases roller bridge that Guitar Fetish sells.

This one. . .

I'm also kind of surprised that it doesn't buzz. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[BluesDan]

Hey jp, apparently the M77t's did come in "Moon Blue" although I have never seen one personally. Also, these specs list the bridge as being DeArmond, although I'm sure its possible it was made elsewhere. Check it out:

http://www.dearmondguitars.com/m77t.html

 

[matsickma]

The DeArmond roller bridge is ok but the rollers don't do a good job of rolling. Check around for other imported roller bridges. Many are better than the stock DeArmond and they do not cost much $. I picked up one a while back (can't tell you where or name brand) but the rollers actually did roll. It fit right on to the wooden bridge studs of a DeA T400. Import metric sized is pretty common.

M

 

[jp]

The DeArmond roller bridge is ok but the rollers don't do a good job of rolling. Check around for other imported roller bridges. Many are better than the stock DeArmond and they do not cost much $. I picked up one a while back (can't tell you where or name brand) but the rollers actually did roll. It fit right on to the wooden bridge studs of a DeA T400. Import metric sized is pretty common.

M

Thanks for the insight matsickma. No matter what type I research, there are those who've had luck with them and those who hated them. The Gretsch forum has lots of opinions and seems to be a testing ground for replacement roller bridges. Hmm? I'll probably give the Wilkinson a try, and it's pretty inexpensive.

 

[dane]

I have an M-75T and have never had a problem with the rollers. It has great sustain, no buzz, and no intonation problems. In short it’s been a good workhorse of a guitar for the past 8 years, rollers and all.

 

[matsickma]

To my knowledge the DeA M75 didn't come stock with a roller bridge. I had two M75T's and neither had rollers.

M

 

[BluesDan]

Mats,
I have been thinking about what you said about the rollers not actually rolling and it makes perfect sense that if they are designed to roll, they should. But with the amount of movement that the string actually makes, if the rollers are smooth enough that the string moves freely back & forth, do you think it makes that much of a difference whether or not they actually roll? I have limited experience with the DeArmond roller bridge, having only owned the one M77t for a relatively short period of time. I know you have had quite a few and was wondering what your thoughts were. As I mentioned, I have had no problems with mine, maybe just lucky perhaps. Did you have problems with any of yours that you attributed to the rollers remaining stationary? Should I be anticipating future problems with the bridge as it gets play wear? The one I acquired was obviously played very little, if at all. Are they fine when "new' and then develop issues?

Thanks in advance,

Dan

 

[Walter Broes]

In my experience with roller bridges, sweat, crud, and corrosion will stop them from "rolling" pretty fast, and then it comes down to having a tune-a-matic with weird little over-engineered saddles. I like ABR-1 tune-a-matics, the saddles don't "roll", but they àre a little loose, and I've found that to work much better with a Bigsby.

 

[BluesDan]

Thanks for the feedback Walter. I may experiment when I change out the pots and switch......which will be..... eventually! Crazy busy with other home projects and work right now.

 

[matsickma]

Hi BluesDan,

I never found the DeArmond "roller" bridge or Tune-a-matic to be a problem on my DeArmond guitars. I think the fact that the rollers don't roll is less of a issue on a Bigsby type vibrato. Bigsby's are not the vibrato's of choice for "dive bombing" vibrato action. For those type of effcts it is pretty important to have a working roller bridge. I perfer the Kahlers on Guild solidbodies over Floyd Rose types. I also like the two point Mullers that Guild used for Strat like action. I am one of the odd ball players who likes Hagstrom Tremer vibratos. I was raised on that model vibrato as it was on my first electric Guild S50 Jetstar.

The biggest issue with the M75/77 Digsby's is the steep angle from the Bigsby tension roller to the bridge. It limits the range of the bigsby vibrato. I could work with it but many others compain of the action. I am usually more subtle with the use of the vibrato and use it for subtle frequency modulation effects. I don't do a lot of twangy vibrato riffs. I had luck bypassing the tension roller on the M75/77 but can't say it was my perferred configuration. My biggest problem with the Digsbys was the frequent tension snap when I used the vibrato. That pinging at the bridge was annoying and that was why I tried a roller. It turn out the NUT was as much the problem and after I worked the angle and depth on the NUT my problems were minimized.

M

 

[BluesDan]

Nice M-77T Dan,

I'm still GAS'n for one of those, especially a blue one. Not sure if they came in blue like the M-75Ts.

The bridge on the Dearmonds look similar to the unbranded TOM-bases roller bridge that Guitar Fetish sells.

This one. . .

I'm also kind of surprised that it doesn't buzz. Thanks for the feedback.

here ya go JP!
http://cgi.ebay.com/DeArmond-M77T-RARE- ... 7C294%3A50

 

[jp]

here ya go JP!
http://cgi.ebay.com/DeArmond-M77T-RARE- ... 7C294%3A50

Doooohh! Sold. Thanks, Dan--that's the one. Unfortunately, I probably couldn't have bought it anyway, times being what they are. I also may just wait it out for a beat M-65 to hot rod.

That pinging at the bridge was annoying and that was why I tried a roller.

That's been bugging me too on my recently Bigsby-equipped T-100D.

 

[BluesDan]

here ya go JP!
http://cgi.ebay.com/DeArmond-M77T-RARE- ... 7C294%3A50

Doooohh! Sold. Thanks, Dan--that's the one. Unfortunately, I probably couldn't have bought it anyway, times being what they are. I also may just wait it out for a beat M-65 to hot rod.

Unfortunately I only spotted that one with a few hours left on the auction. Figured it was worth a shot posting it, at the risk of torturing you if you only got the message after closing time. Good luck on the search for a beat M-65, sounds like a cool project.

Dan

 

[BluesDan]

I also may just wait it out for a beat M-65 to hot rod.

Not beat, but certainly at a reasonable price! :wink:
http://cgi.ebay.com/DeArmond-M-65-Elect ... 7C294%3A50