Is there a difference?

[Tucson Thump]

Between the way that the bridge posts are installed if the guitar has a one piece bridge or two piece bridge?

As I see it, when a one piece bridge is used the pressure is both down AND toward the neck, whereas a two piece bridge seems to have the pressure only down into the body.

Any thoughts or info?

 

[jxe]

have you considered a three or four piece bridge? i got a bag of rampa inserts i need to use up.

 

[aphantomvaper]

Yes, a physics discussion!

I have nothing more to contribute. Love these discussions.

 

[veinbuster]

I understand the physics and agree that the pressures on the bridge would be quite different. I haven't observe a difference in how the posts are installed, but the posts on my one piece are bigger.

 

[Tucson Thump]

I understand the physics and agree that the pressures on the bridge would be quite different. I haven't observe a difference in how the posts are installed, but the posts on my one piece are bigger.

bigger in diameter?

 

[veinbuster]

bigger in diameter?

Yes

 

[László]

Between the way that the bridge posts are installed if the guitar has a one piece bridge or two piece bridge?

As I see it, when a one piece bridge is used the pressure is both down AND toward the neck, whereas a two piece bridge seems to have the pressure only down into the body.

Any thoughts or info?

I'm no physicist, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express...

In order to produce a pitch, the strings have to have certain tension between the bridge and the nut. That tension between nut and bridge doesn't depend on the type of bridge. So I don't quite see how the pressure toward the neck is much different, unless you're simply talking about the pressure on the bridge itself due to having only two posts instead of four.

On the other hand, the posts on a two piece bridge vibrate the body of the guitar at four points instead of two. This is neither better nor worse for tone, at least to me, they're simply different.

Whatever the reason might be, the two-piece bridge produces a somewhat "warmer, woodier" tone. I like both types, and each has its uses.

 

[Tucson Thump]

I'm no physicist, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express...

In order to produce a pitch, the strings have to have certain tension between the bridge and the nut. That tension between nut and bridge doesn't depend on the type of bridge. So I don't quite see how the pressure toward the neck is much different, unless you're simply talking about the pressure on the bridge itself due to having only two posts instead of four.

On the other hand, the posts on a two piece bridge vibrate the body of the guitar at four points instead of two. This is neither better nor worse for tone, at least to me, they're simply different.

Whatever the reason might be, the two-piece bridge produces a somewhat "warmer, woodier" tone. I like both types, and each has its uses.

I have a 2007 Mira that has the PRS wrap around and had a 'sitar' sound on the B string at certain frets. After research I learned that the all-mahogany bodies combined with heavier strings could pull the bridge to lean forward, with suggestions that the original bridge could be half-shimmed slightly at the front of where it attaches to the posts. Instead I put a one piece adjustable bridge on and the sound stopped. Unfortunate solution because I really liked the sound of a set of .011s on the original bridge.

This led me to wonder if the maple-topped core models had a different post installation or whether Paul felt that the maple cap added more stabilization. Veinbuster said that the posts are larger diameter, so that must add the necessary stabilization.

 

[László]

I have a 2007 Mira that has the PRS wrap around and had a 'sitar' sound on the B string at certain frets. After research I learned that the all-mahogany bodies combined with heavier strings could pull the bridge to lean forward, with suggestions that the original bridge could be half-shimmed slightly at the front of where it attaches to the posts. Instead I put a one piece adjustable bridge on and the sound stopped. Unfortunate solution because I really liked the sound of a set of .011s on the original bridge.

This led me to wonder if the maple-topped core models had a different post installation or whether Paul felt that the maple cap added more stabilization. Veinbuster said that the posts are larger diameter, so that must add the necessary stabilization.

Interesting!

I had an '08 Mira with the same bridge and mahogany body, and it didn't do a 'sitar' sound, but I've had a few guitars that sometimes did, from a variety of brands.

The fix seemed to be working on, or replacing, the nut. It might be different with every guitar.

 

[Deleted member 5962]

This led me to wonder if the maple-topped core models had a different post installation or whether Paul felt that the maple cap added more stabilization. Veinbuster said that the posts are larger diameter, so that must add the necessary stabilization.

I am also not an engineer, but do pretend to be one on the internet, despite never having stayed in a Holiday Inn Express. So with the full power vested in me by the power of unlicensed internet engineer, I offer the following:

I would think the depth of the post would have far more to do with adding strength for lateral string pull, than would the diameter. The deeper the post is, the more contact it has on the back/supporting side opposite the string pull.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

I am also not an engineer, but do pretend to be one on the internet, despite never having stayed in a Holiday Inn Express. So with the full power vested in me by the power of unlicensed internet engineer, I offer the following:

I would think the depth of the post would have far more to do with adding strength for lateral string pull, than would the diameter. The deeper the post is, the more contact it has on the back/supporting side opposite the string pull.

But the girth, what about the girth?

 

[DISTORT6]

But the girth, what about the girth?

It’s ALL about the girth

 

[Lewguitar]

I've owned Les Pauls with a wrap around bridge similar to what I have on my PRS Custom 22's and Singlecuts, and Les Pauls with a stop tailpiece and tune-o-matic bridge. I assume that's what the OP is referring to.

I think the stop tailpiece and tune-o-matic bridge might help a guitar to sound a little better and that it definitely feels better.

It's more comfortable for me because I can rest my hand behind the bridge on the strings between the bridge and tailpiece.

The only guitar I own at the moment with that kind of bridge and tailpiece is my Gibson ES-335.

My two Custom 22's and my three Singlecuts all have the PRS version of the wrap around tailpiece and I've gotten used to it.

They all sound great. I'm happy with them.

But sometimes I think they would be even better (for me) if they had the bridge and tailpiece like you usually see on a Les Paul or ES-335.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

I've owned Les Pauls with a wrap around bridge similar to what I have on my PRS Custom 22's and Singlecuts, and Les Pauls with a stop tailpiece and tune-o-matic bridge. I assume that's what the OP is referring to.

I think the stop tailpiece and tune-o-matic bridge might help a guitar to sound a little better and that it definitely feels better.

It's more comfortable for me because I can rest my hand behind the bridge on the strings between the bridge and tailpiece.

The only guitar I own at the moment with that kind of bridge and tailpiece is my Gibson ES-335.

My two Custom 22's and my three Singlecuts all have the PRS version of the wrap around tailpiece and I've gotten used to it.

They all sound great. I'm happy with them.

But sometimes I think they would be even better (for me) if they had the bridge and tailpiece like you usually see on a Les Paul or ES-335.

You need an S2 594 (nudge).


















See what I did there, @bodia taught me well.

 

[Lewguitar]

Whatever the reason might be, the two-piece bridge produces a somewhat "warmer, woodier" tone. I like both types, and each has its uses.

That's what I hear too. I prefer that warmer, woodier tone of a separate tailpiece and bridge. But I'm perfectly happy with the one piece bridge/tailpiece on my Custom 22 in my profile photo.

 

[Lewguitar]

You need an S2 594 (nudge).


















See what I did there, @bodia taught me well.

A McCarty? I hear that the newest McCarty's are super nice. I hear they have better pickups and are just better overall.

Older McCartys didn't do it for me even though I wanted to like them.

I'd love to try one of the newer ones.

 

[bodia]

You need an S2 594 (nudge).


















See what I did there, @bodia taught me well.

Atta boy!

 

[Deleted member 5962]

It’s ALL about the girth

From an engineering standpoint... Spoken like a true short post-er.

 

[aamefford]

From an engineering standpoint... Spoken like a true short post-er.

A strong case for small hands.

 

[FragileThunder]

It’s ALL about the girth

So the girth of the pole inserted in the tailpiece is more important than the depth you screw it in?