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Topic: Gibson EH-150 metal body. Bridge dimensions anybody? |
Marc Bell
From:
Surat Thani, TH
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Posted 25 Jul 2017 8:22 pm |
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An old Gibson steel guitar(no.231 from memory) I have needs some hardware, and seeing as I have a small foundry set up in the garden, have decided to cast the bridge myself. I waited a long time and never saw the earliest style bridge come up for sale. I believe this 1st style has no slots where the string mounts?
If anybody has one of these guitars please can you give me dimensions in mms and a good close up photo. I will cast it in aluminum which I believe was the period correct material. |
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Ron Simpson
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 26 Jul 2017 10:53 am Gibson Ultratone Bridge
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A couple of Gibson bridges are on Ebay now. I am not the seller. I just purchased one recently.
Ron |
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Marc Bell
From:
Surat Thani, TH
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Posted 26 Jul 2017 5:44 pm Re: Gibson Ultratone Bridge
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| Ron Simpson wrote: |
A couple of Gibson bridges are on Ebay now. I am not the seller. I just purchased one recently.
Ron |
Thank you Ron, but I can only see much later bridges for sale - maybe from an Ultratone or Century? I need this bridge which may have only been made in 1936, there can't be too many floating around these days, hence my decision to go ahead and cast it myself.
As for which casting technique - 1st I will try lost foam, if not acceptable then lost wax or using a wooden pattern as a last resort. Just it's a fair bit of work so want to make sure the dimensions are perfect before starting.
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Michael Hogan
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Marc Bell
From:
Surat Thani, TH
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Posted 27 Jul 2017 3:07 pm
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Thank you Mick, that is a much better idea. I will look for an early EH with a damaged body but with serviceable hardware.
I can't remember where I saw it but can remember reading the bridge for these metal body EH steels had no slots they were solid. When the body changed to be wood the bridges were redesigned with slots to facilitate string changes.
Can I ask how does the sound compare to your fry pan? |
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C. E. Jackson
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Posted 27 Jul 2017 5:03 pm
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Marc,
Here is a link to a post I made earlier which includes a photo of the bridge on my
GIBSON METAL EHG: c. 1935, near the bottom of the first page. My steel has the
earliest bridge design. The overall spacing of strings at the bridge is 2 3/8" and
there are no slots. Notice there are only 2 screws attaching the bridge, rather than
3 used later. This METAL EHG was one of the first made and shipped.
Interesting Vintage Steels:Add Your Vintage Interests
2 Photos From Above Post
Hope this helps you.
C. E. 
_________________
My Vintage Steel Guitars
My YouTube Steel Guitar Playlists
My YouTube Steel Guitar Songs
A6 tuning for steels
Last edited by C. E. Jackson on 30 Jul 2017 4:07 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Michael Hogan
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Posted 29 Jul 2017 9:19 pm Early bridge.
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Hi C.E,.
I had no idea there was a different bridge on early E150s.
My steel has the
earliest bridge design. The overall spacing of strings at the bridge is 2 3/8" and
there are no slots. This METAL EHG was one of the first made and shipped.: |
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C. E. Jackson
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Marc Bell
From:
Surat Thani, TH
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Posted 30 Jul 2017 3:20 pm
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Thank you for the photos C.E. your guitar has the bridge I had in mind. It looks like a very doable project. I have closely approximated the patina shown on yours by using a caustic soda solution, just a minute or so exposure leaves the finish very similar to that. But seeing as I need other hardware also, will search for an early wood bodied EH150 with a damaged body to harvest the require parts.
A while ago one came up on ebay UK with a warped neck. It closed at under $400, not sure why I did not just buy that, it even had an original case, if very battered. |
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