Tune-o-matic Bridges

Tune-o-matic bridges are adjustable bridges with six saddles on two posts, like those on Les Paul and SG guitars and other singlecut models. Here you will find bridges from Gotoh, Schaller, Gibson, Hipshot and Partsland, both to replace a worn-out bridge and to upgrade a cheaper guitar. They include ABR-1 and Nashville types, bridges for metric posts and roller bridges for Bigsby vibrato. Stop bar tailpieces belong here too, because they form one unit with the bridge.

Which Tune-o-matic bridge fits your guitar?

What matters is the type of posts, not just the shape of the bridge. The ABR-1 is narrower and sits on thinner posts. The Nashville is wider, sits on thicker posts with anchors, and its saddles have a larger range for adjusting the intonation. Epiphone, LTD and other Asian-made guitars often have M8 metric posts. The Gotoh GE103B-T, for example, is made for them, with anchors of 11.3 × 24 mm and a post spacing of 74 mm. Before you buy, measure the diameter of the posts on your guitar and the spacing between them.

When should you choose a bridge with rollers?

A roller bridge pays off when you play with a Bigsby vibrato or bend strings often. The string does not snag in the saddle notches; it slides over the roller, so the guitar stays in tune. The Schaller STM has brass rollers and, according to the manufacturer, suits Les Paul-style guitars with a post spacing of 74 to 74.5 mm. On the non-reverse version the intonation screws point toward the pickups, as on a classic Les Paul, and on the reverse version toward the tailpiece.

Do you need to replace the stop bar tailpiece along with the bridge?

The stop bar tailpiece holds the string ends behind the bridge and forms one system with the Tune-o-matic bridge. If you are changing the bridge because of the metal colour, replace the tailpiece too, so that the hardware on your guitar matches. Here you will find tailpieces from Gotoh, Schaller, Gibson and Partsland. The Hipshot Tone-A-Matic is sold on its own and as a kit that includes both the bridge and the tailpiece. You will find bridges for other types of guitars in the Bridges and Tailpieces category.