Tune-o-matic replacement bridge for Eastman T146Sm

**D.G.** · 08-02-2018, 04:49 PM

I recently picked up a very nice Eastman T146sm and I think I'd like to replace the wood bridge with a tune-o-matic so I can use a plain 3rd, and also to give it a smidge more zing. A standard tune-o-matic will NOT fit the bridge-foot as-is. Any recommendations?

**BigMikeinNJ** · 08-02-2018, 05:39 PM

I had a T146, one of the nicest models they made.
Simply get a Tom/bridge set, your tech will have to reshape the base of it
probably find it on eBay or WD or Stew Mac

**rob taft** · 08-02-2018, 06:15 PM

Do what Big Mike suggests but if you have a modicum of skill just shape the bridge yourself. You don't need the Stewmac bridge just use your hands.

**D.G.** · 08-02-2018, 07:01 PM

I don't have the skill or more importantly, the patience, to do a bridge fitting

I'll gladly pay for this kind of work.

Is Stew-Mac really the only game in town?

**BigMikeinNJ** · 08-02-2018, 07:19 PM

Originally Posted by BigMikeinNJ

I had a T146, one of the nicest models they made.
Simply get a Tom/bridge set, your tech will have to reshape the base of it
probably find it on eBay or WD or Stew Mac

Didn’t take me long to find the bridge base/Tom combos on eBay
look on reverb too

**Bebop Tom** · 08-02-2018, 08:11 PM

Eastman makes arch tops with tune-o-matics so I suggest calling a dealer to see if you can order a saddle that fits your guitar.

**rob taft** · 08-02-2018, 08:44 PM

Originally Posted by D.G.

I don't have the skill or more importantly, the patience, to do a bridge fitting

I'll gladly pay for this kind of work.

Is Stew-Mac really the only game in town?

No. Take it to your local repair tech. Its a nothing job.

**sgosnell** · 08-02-2018, 09:14 PM

without the jig that StewMac sells, or something akin to it, it's very easy to roll the bottom of the bridge base slightly, by tilting it back and forth, and that results in a poor fit, with the edges not making contact with the top. It's a tricky job without a jig, but it can be done. If you don't think you have the skill, take it to a repair place. They can do it quickly and it should not be expensive.

**ugarte** · 08-02-2018, 09:28 PM

I'm not sure why but the Eastman post-spacing on the archtop wooden bridges is non-standard (or at least somewhat peculiar), its around 80mm ctc on mine, I think the most common TOM is 2.9" or around 73mm.

**lammie200** · 08-02-2018, 11:44 PM

I like Resomax TOM that I put on a cheapo Epiphone Casino. Nice quality part, but I am not sure if it will fit your condition.

**Socalbill** · 08-03-2018, 05:37 PM

Originally Posted by ugarte

I'm not sure why but the Eastman post-spacing on the archtop wooden bridges is non-standard (or at least somewhat peculiar), its around 80mm ctc on mine, I think the most common TOM is 2.9" or around 73mm.

Since Eastman uses such a wide nut on their jazz guitars, I’d suggest the wider spacing of the posts on the wooden saddles allows a wider string spacing then a TOM allows. If you do have a tech, ask them if a TOM will even work on that guitar. It might, but you might find the string spacing a bit odd.
Bill

**D.G.** · 08-03-2018, 07:02 PM

Originally Posted by Socalbill

Since Eastman uses such a wide nut on their jazz guitars, I’d suggest the wider spacing of the posts on the wooden saddles allows a wider string spacing then a TOM allows. If you do have a tech, ask them if a TOM will even work on that guitar. It might, but you might find the string spacing a bit odd.
Bill

Yeah, that's kinda my thought.

OTOH, the T58/v uses a TOM and the nut width is listed as 1 3/4" which is the same as the 146SM. Maybe I should contact the local Eastman dealer and see if I could get a T58/v bridge...

**Socalbill** · 08-03-2018, 07:37 PM

Originally Posted by D.G.

Yeah, that's kinda my thought.

OTOH, the T58/v uses a TOM and the nut width is listed as 1 3/4" which is the same as the 146SM. Maybe I should contact the local Eastman dealer and see if I could get a T58/v bridge...

Yea, that’s true. I wonder if they cheat the spacing at the nut a bit in order to minimize the problem. You should contact Eastman. I’m in California, and Eastman is nearby in Pomona. My experience with their customer service has been very positive.

You could also cheat a bit and have your tech drill new post holes in your existing bridge base to accommodate the TOM. It’s done all the time.

**D.G.** · 08-03-2018, 07:43 PM

Originally Posted by Socalbill

You could also cheat a bit and have your tech drill new post holes in your existing bridge base to accommodate the TOM. It’s done all the time.

Good grief, I never even thought of that! That's a great idea!

**ugarte** · 08-03-2018, 11:58 PM

Originally Posted by Socalbill

Since Eastman uses such a wide nut on their jazz guitars, I’d suggest the wider spacing of the posts on the wooden saddles allows a wider string spacing then a TOM allows. If you do have a tech, ask them if a TOM will even work on that guitar. It might, but you might find the string spacing a bit odd.
Bill

IDK, the string spacing at the original bridge on my ar403 is a fairly pedestrian 53mm, thats a bit wider than a TOM (51 or 52 ctc) but its not crazy wide, I'm pretty sure you could slot a TOM for 53mm E to E. I just did a setup on it (the Eastman) yesterday so I have ALL the numbers close at hand. I'm generally a TOM-believer but its playing so well now with the original wood bridge I'm not touching anything.

**sgosnell** · 08-04-2018, 12:00 AM

That isn't going to be an easy job. The current holes will have to be filled, and dowels of that material and that size don't exist. You can't just drill new holes because they're so close to the ones already there. I'd just get a complete new bridge.

**D.G.** · 08-07-2018, 06:07 PM

I emailed Eastman my question and they seemed to think it came with a plain 3rd already

So I went ahead and put on a set of DA 11's with a plain 3rd and with some very careful bridge positioning, I've gotten it close enough. I think at some point I'll still order a TOM from Stew-Mac and have the local repair shop fit it for me.

**mmccullo** · 10-16-2023, 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by ugarte

I'm not sure why but the Eastman post-spacing on the archtop wooden bridges is non-standard (or at least somewhat peculiar), its around 80mm ctc on mine, I think the most common TOM is 2.9" or around 73mm.

The standard for TOM's is 2 29/32 inches or about 73.8 mm. The tolerance range seems to be 73.5 mm to 74 mm for most parts.

I have the same problem with an AR503CE where the G string (and only the G string) intonation is off. I would just like to use a TOM. The string spacing at the bridge is very close to the 52.5 mm (10.5 mm between strings) which seems common with TOM's. In fact, I'd like it to be a bit narrower as my 1st string wants to slide off the side as it is too close to the fretboard edge for my tastes.

I've looked and looked and I can't find any TOM's with the ~76 mm post spacing of the AR503CE's base. Lot's of aftermarket bases that will host a TOM but as the OP notes, you have to do your own sanding (with the $60 StewMac jig) or pay $$ someone to do it.

**Top of the Arch!** · 10-16-2023, 12:40 PM

I contacted Eastman about the bridge/base on my AR480 and they told me to buy a bridge/base from Stew Mac or other source if I wanted an adjustable one. NO options of getting one from them. B

**mmccullo** · 10-16-2023, 01:04 PM

I just dropped a request to Eastman Support. I imagine I will get the same answer... I am going to try a TOM ($12 from Amazon) with the larger post hole diameter (~6mm) and see if it will fit -- if not my work has a drill machine that can open it up and then I can 3D print some fillers to go into the hole.