replacement tune-o-matic bridge

**mwbeatty** · 08-25-2020, 05:31 PM

HI all,
I could use some advice. I have an Ibanez AF75 and one of the intonation screws in the the tune-o-matic bridge has fallen out and gone missing. I'm looking to replace it with something not too expensive and was wondering is there a difference between tune-o-matics? Is there something particular I should be looking for? I went on Stew Mac on the array of options was dizzying to say the least. Any suggestions?

Thanks
mb

**neatomic** · 08-25-2020, 05:50 PM

many different designs and materials...just know you need metric size as opposed to usa imperial...

could always just replace screw

luck

cheers

**Cunamara** · 08-25-2020, 07:22 PM

The saddle material affects tone. Harder materials = brighter/twangier sound, generally.

**Eck** · 08-25-2020, 09:41 PM

I’ve just replaced mine with a roller bridge. Not sure if it improves playability but I think it does, and it gives a longer intonation adjustment. Make sure the string distance and mounting screws distance match.

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**Cavalier** · 08-26-2020, 01:04 AM

Ibanez is pretty decent at supplying replacements pickups and hardware. They probably have the original version is stock if you want it.

**TOMMO** · 08-26-2020, 02:51 AM

Gotoh is a good and inexpensive option.

**Wildcat** · 08-26-2020, 10:05 AM

+1

Originally Posted by TOMMO

Gotoh is a good and inexpensive option.

**mwbeatty** · 08-26-2020, 12:52 PM

Thanks for the advice folks. Looks like I'll just go with a Gotoh bridge.
I thought of trying to get one from Ibanez but when I e-mailed them back in the spring about a replacement pick guard I got no response so I figured I would avoid that this time. Although when I emailed them a year ago about missing nut on one of the controls on my bass, they were quite responsive. Guess that's the difference between in-warranty and out-of-warranty.
Thanks again for the input
mb

**Cavalier** · 08-26-2020, 10:19 PM

I actually used a Ibanez dealer to order parts instead of Ibanez and found great results. George Benson Floaters? I got a pickguard for my AGS83B without a problem just a couple years ago. Drums Etc. | The Drummer's & Guitarist's Pro Shop These are the people I used and they were great.

**Eck** · 08-26-2020, 11:12 PM

Can we talk tech? I found with my roller bridge the D string gives fret buzz when all others are clear. It’s on frets 1-7. Now I wonder if the bridge is not the right shape or the nut, or the fretboard....

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**Cavalier** · 08-26-2020, 11:18 PM

Frets 1-7 I'd be looking at the nut for a slot that is too deep. A few options there.

**Eck** · 08-26-2020, 11:19 PM

Originally Posted by Cavalier

Frets 1-7 I'd be looking at the nut for a slot that is too deep. A few options there.

Thanks. I’m going to try a drop of superglue to fill it...

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**Cavalier** · 08-26-2020, 11:55 PM

Yep, option 1 is always the best place to start. Make sure it is all the way dry before you string up.

**Cunamara** · 08-27-2020, 12:55 AM

Originally Posted by Cavalier

Yep, option 1 is always the best place to start. Make sure it is all the way dry before you string up.

Or tune fast.

**neatomic** · 08-27-2020, 01:47 PM

a bridge with roller saddles is only for a guitar with a bigsby or some kind of whammy bar...otherwise pointless...and may not even be the best choice for whammys...roller saddles are known tone suckers...they seldom roll under string tension..especially with time

not strongly recommended even for whammy guitars...forget about for guitars without..not made for that!

cheers

ps- you also want a bridge saddle that matches the radius of your fretboard...9.5, 12, etc etc

**Eck** · 08-27-2020, 08:49 PM

Hmm ok. Maybe it’s subjective but I’m quite happy. My low E can’t get long enough to be in tune in fret 12 with a normal tunematic.
I put a drop of superglue on the nut and D string seems perfect. To my shame I found G next to it’s roller so put it right and now I don’t struggle with the C7b9....

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**icr** · 08-28-2020, 08:14 AM

As far as I know there are only two Tune-o-Matic. The original ABR-1 and the Nashville.

**Wildcat** · 08-30-2020, 09:27 PM

Recently my luthier had to use a Schaller roller bridge for a replacement. The guitar was a new Epiphone ES 339. $400 brand new. The problem was with the configuration of the existing bridge and guitar setup caused the strings to be offset too far from where they should be. To compensate for that the individual Schaller roller bridge rollers can be screwed to the right or left. So he adjusted all the individual rollers to the extreme right/high side to align the strings to be where or closer to where they needed to be. He said he could have used another 1/8". Seems to resolve the issue and plays fine to me. Not sure why this occurred other than it's a inexpensive import. I bought another Epiphone guitar (2019 Johnny A) recently and no needed for any compensation. But it was $1000.
I believe the Schaller roller bridge is unquie in it ability to move/screw the individual rollers to the left or right.

Originally Posted by Eck

I’ve just replaced mine with a roller bridge. Not sure if it improves playability but I think it does, and it gives a longer intonation adjustment. Make sure the string distance and mounting screws distance match.

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**Hammertone** · 08-30-2020, 09:38 PM

Re-notching the saddles on the tune-o-matic bridge works, if there's enough room.
Or, getting new un-notched saddles for it and notching them over a bit works, if there's enough room.
I like the Schaller roller bridge for adjusting string spread, especially on archtop guitars where the whole "but it affects my sustain, maaaan" thing is irrelevant to me.