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Metal from which the pre-cbs bridge was made
Posted: Thu May 02, 2024 10:40 pm
by Guitarman555
Does anybody know what metal from which the vintage bridge was made in pre-cbs:
the 2 main screws going to the thimbles
saddles and their screws
the basement
I think nowadays material is different, right?
Re: Metal from which the pre-cbs bridge was made
Posted: Fri May 03, 2024 9:14 pm
by timtam
I know in some Fender California factory tours on youtube they have shown the 'original' metal presses still being used for making bridges and other metal parts (I don't recall exactly how far back in time those machines are claimed to date from) . So one might assume that the same materials were also being used too ? ... I haven't read anything to the contrary. Grub screws made from the most common 304 stainless steel are readily available.
I have an early 60s threaded-barrel bridge ... but without getting spectroscopy done on it and anything more recent I couldn't say if they're the same metal. Are you suggesting there might be good reasons to care ?
By comparison, there is some discussion of Gibson having changed what metals their ABR-1 bridges are made from these days (which are made by another company IIRC). How true that is I don't know (such assertions are often made by companies selling alternative bridges).
Re: Metal from which the pre-cbs bridge was made
Posted: Fri May 03, 2024 10:03 pm
by DrippyReverbTremolo
70% Unobtainium, 28% Palladium, 3% Plutonium.
Re: Metal from which the pre-cbs bridge was made
Posted: Sat May 04, 2024 7:00 am
by GilmourD
Re: Metal from which the pre-cbs bridge was made
Posted: Mon May 06, 2024 10:27 am
by ryland
timtam wrote: ↑Fri May 03, 2024 9:14 pm
I know in some Fender California factory tours on youtube they have shown the 'original' metal presses still being used for making bridges and other metal parts (I don't recall exactly how far back in time those machines are claimed to date from) . So one might assume that the same materials were also being used too ? ... I haven't read anything to the contrary. Grub screws made from the most common 304 stainless steel are readily available.
I went on one of those tours and saw the presses. They looked like they could legitimately date from the 50's or early 60's. I do seem to recall that the tour guide mentioned that they were original equipment. If Leo's military experience was anything like my Grandfather's (who was an aircraft mechanic in the Pacific), he would have wanted to buy something like that once and never again...so it makes sense.