Selecting a Bridge for Epiphone and other “Imports”
Selecting a Bridge for Epiphone and other "Imports"
How to select the correct BRIDGE for your Epiphone, Tokai, Ibanez, or other Imported Guitar
While there are many different types of bridges used on imported guitars, such as separate bridge and stop tailpiece, separate bridge and trapeze tailpiece, wraparound (bridge and tailpiece as one unit), rosewood block, etc., the majority of guitars use a separate bridge and stop tailpiece, as used on most Les Pauls, 335s, etc. In this section, we will concentrate on that particular guitar setup .
There are only two types of bridge posts used on separate bridge and stop tailpiece equipped guitars. Use these images to determine what type you have. This is important to know so you can select the proper parts needed to install a Faber® ABRM or Tone-Lock™ bridge on your guitar.
Bushing Mounted Posts
Screw Slot on Top of Posts
Thumb Wheels and Posts are One Unit
Metal Bushing Mounted in Body
Direct Mounted Posts
No Screw Slot on Top of Posts
Thumb Wheels Rotate On Posts
Post Installed Directly in Body
Note that "Direct Mounted Posts" use thin 4mm threaded posts mounted directly into the wood. Separate thumb wheels are used to raise or lower the bridge. "Bushing Mounted Posts," on the other hand, have metal inserts mounted in the body into which integrated bridge post/thumb wheel height adjusters are used. Let’s discuss the parts available for each system. "Direct Mounted Posts" With this bridge system, bridge selection is fairly straightforward. The proper non locking bridge for these is the Faber® ABRM model. The ABRM is a direct drop on replacement. Likewise, the Faber® Tone-Lock™ bridge can be used directly. "Bushing Mounted Posts" Selecting parts for "Bushing Mounted Posts" is a little more involved than with "Direct Mounted Posts," because you will need to change the bridge posts in order to use the Faber® ABRM or Tone-Lock™ bridges. Luckily, Faber® provides two methods to accomplish this.
Faber® "E-Z" ESWKIT™
Faber® "Plus" E-Sert™
Either "Kit" will get the job done. The only question is which one will best suit your needs. Let’s discuss the details of each one.
The "E-Z" ESWKIT™ is a "no modification" solution. This steel kit simply replaces the existing and inferior "pot metal" posts. It will screw into the existing body bushings as it has the exact thread pattern of the original. While this in an improvement, is not the optimum, because the body bushings themselves are also pot metal which produce inferior tone. That is why it is always a good idea to replace the body bushings as well with a set of Faber® "TPM" Metric Bridge/Tailpiece Bushings.
The "Plus" E-Sert is the best way to get enhanced tone and sustain from your imported guitar with Bushing Mounted Posts. As you can see, this unit replaces both the original pot metal body bushings and integrated bridge posts. Separate thumb wheels are used to raise or lower the bridge. An 8mm bolt is included in each kit to ease in the removal of the body bushings. Since the bottom of the bushings are hollow, screwing the bolt into the bushing will cause it to rise as the bottom of the bolt comes into contact with the body wood. We have a VIDEO showing how to install the E-Sert™. Note that the video is showing the installation of the Faber® iNsert for Gibson guitars Nashville Bridge, but installing the E-Sert™ is the exact same procedure.
In addition to replacement bridges, other parts to consider upgrading on your Epiphone or other imported guitar are: