Hopeless quest?- X-170 Replacement bridge piece?

[rhcole]

Some of the later X-170's that had Bigsbys had metal bridges sitting in the rosewood base. I'd love to get my hands on one of those to be able to swap a metal top piece back and forth with rosewood. In gold, no less! I like the punchier sound that metal gives, I like the softer jazzier sound that rosewood gives. Would love to be able to swap.

Is this an impossible request?

 

[hansmoust]

Some of the later X-170's that had Bigsbys had metal bridges sitting in the rosewood base. I'd love to get my hands on one of those to be able to swap a metal top piece back and forth with rosewood. In gold, no less! I like the punchier sound that metal gives, I like the softer jazzier sound that rosewood gives. Would love to be able to swap.

Is this an impossible request?

Hello rhcole,

To the best of my knowledge the X-170 was never outfitted with a metal top piece on a wooden base. The ones you've seen were probably modified at a later date. The only bridges that I've seen and that will fit the original wooden base are the ABM tune-o-matic type bridges.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[rhcole]

Hans, you are the best!

 

[rwmol]

rhcole:

I looked into the ABM bridge. They make one with rollers or you can have one made with saddles by special order. They will not sell to you. You have to buy through a jobber (All Parts, etc). Good Luck. I couldn't pull it off.

I purchased a new Rosewood base and a TonePro Locking bridge (All Parts, aprox $85). My luthier matched the string spacing and fit the base to the contour of the archtop. Bingo. Worked great. Here's some pictures:

 

[rhcole]

When you say your luthier matched the spacing and shaped the bridge, I assume you mean cut the grooves for the strings in the saddles and sanded the base to fit?

How much did this cost in total with your luthier's time?

AllParts sells an ABM bridge with string rollers for $130. I assume based on what Hans said that it would drop right into the rosewood base (I hope!)O.

 

[rhcole]

Really like your guitar, by the way. The sunburst is sweet.

 

[rwmol]

Thanks. The Manhattan has a great finish.

I really can't remember what he charged, but it was very reasonable. I'm not a big fan of rollers. ABM makes the finest bridges (IMHO). That particular bridge is slotted for the posts. It will slip right over your present Rosewood base. Secured to the base with set screws. The only thing I can't tell you, is the string spacing. If it's set and can't be adjusted, you might be unhappy.

Good luck

Randy

 

[rhcole]

What don't you like about roller bridges other than the fact that you can't vary string placement? Do they change your tone? or sustain?

 

[rwmol]

I really can't comment on the change of tone or sustain with a roller bridge. It's just my own opinion that they have their place. Fine for guitars with a tremelo

 

[rhcole]

Well, I just bit the bullet and am hand-sanding a tuneamatic bridge on a rosewood base to work with the Guild. A friend cut and sanded it close enough to get it in the ballpark. It's a time consuming pain but it's going to work.

The issue is that Guild's rosewood bridges are very low compared to other guitars, so it requires quite a bit of work to get the base low enough for good action on the neck. Plus it has to be shaped...

At least now I know how to do it.