Andrew Paul
The cat's meow
Stripped 58 original bridge versus new 594 bridge.
So a couple weeks ago I posted a thread titled “594 VS 59 Les Paul Questions” And in that thread I brought up that the bridge for the 594 has been redesigned and no longer uses the larger block style brass saddles and the bridge is shaved down, less mass, which according to PRS allows for more downward pressure by the strings to the guitar top resulting in better sound. Here’s the link to that original thread: https://forums.prsguitars.com/threads/594-vs-59-les-paul…-questions.52044/
So after obtaining the new style 594 Bridge I conducted a test. I was hoping for a more resonant sustaining sound out of my Stripped 58 if the claims regarding the new style bridge were true. Well regarding sustain I found just the opposite. My guitar lost sustain it was not as resonant. Not good.
Strange thing is in 2011 when the stripped 58 came out PRS claimed the greater mass bridge with larger brass saddles improved resonance and sustain.
See link below from Premier Guitar:
https://www.premierguitar.com/amp/prs-stripped-58-electric-guitar-review-2651079922
Now to be fair there are a lot of factors between these two guitars. First of all the stripped 58 uses 5708 pickups and the current 594 uses 5815 LT pups. Scale length is also different Stripped 58 uses 24.5” scale length versus 594 uses 24.594”scale length. From my research apparently they either once used or currently use the same tail piece which is made of aluminum. The tail piece is still unclear to me because currently their website says “594 model is anchored by a zinc two-piece stoptail bridge with brass saddles and studs for added resonance and vintage style tuners“. Another thing that I haven’t found yet is if earlier 594’s used same aluminum bridge like Stripped 58 before changing to Zinc or was it zinc all along. Earlier 594s definitely used the larger brass block style saddles. But what happened? Why did I lose sustain? Before asking me, of course everything was done properly like setting action, intonation etc. this new style bridge just does not work with my guitar. And I stress MY guitar, They work great for yours or it may be specific to the 594 series.
So I consulted a couple forum members in private messaging before creating this thread to make sure I had my I’s dotted and my T’s crossed. I created a very amateur video just to show the difference. Simple notes… it’s just terrible how fast they die out with the new style bridge.
Now my disclaimer, I am a huge PRS fan. I’ve owned and played PRS GUITAR’s since 1990. I own many! This thread and the video is in no way meant to bash PRS! With that said I would not recommend the new style bridge on any stripped 58. I would like to have a volunteer who has a 594 with the original style bridge (with the large block saddles) conduct an experiment by putting this new style bridge in their guitar. But, I am requesting that you must be able to make a video and post it on YouTube. I will send the bridge to you on loan. (I will send it to continental United States only and you must return it to me unless you want to buy it)
Here’s the video link:
So a couple weeks ago I posted a thread titled “594 VS 59 Les Paul Questions” And in that thread I brought up that the bridge for the 594 has been redesigned and no longer uses the larger block style brass saddles and the bridge is shaved down, less mass, which according to PRS allows for more downward pressure by the strings to the guitar top resulting in better sound. Here’s the link to that original thread: https://forums.prsguitars.com/threads/594-vs-59-les-paul…-questions.52044/
So after obtaining the new style 594 Bridge I conducted a test. I was hoping for a more resonant sustaining sound out of my Stripped 58 if the claims regarding the new style bridge were true. Well regarding sustain I found just the opposite. My guitar lost sustain it was not as resonant. Not good.
Strange thing is in 2011 when the stripped 58 came out PRS claimed the greater mass bridge with larger brass saddles improved resonance and sustain.
See link below from Premier Guitar:
https://www.premierguitar.com/amp/prs-stripped-58-electric-guitar-review-2651079922
Now to be fair there are a lot of factors between these two guitars. First of all the stripped 58 uses 5708 pickups and the current 594 uses 5815 LT pups. Scale length is also different Stripped 58 uses 24.5” scale length versus 594 uses 24.594”scale length. From my research apparently they either once used or currently use the same tail piece which is made of aluminum. The tail piece is still unclear to me because currently their website says “594 model is anchored by a zinc two-piece stoptail bridge with brass saddles and studs for added resonance and vintage style tuners“. Another thing that I haven’t found yet is if earlier 594’s used same aluminum bridge like Stripped 58 before changing to Zinc or was it zinc all along. Earlier 594s definitely used the larger brass block style saddles. But what happened? Why did I lose sustain? Before asking me, of course everything was done properly like setting action, intonation etc. this new style bridge just does not work with my guitar. And I stress MY guitar, They work great for yours or it may be specific to the 594 series.
So I consulted a couple forum members in private messaging before creating this thread to make sure I had my I’s dotted and my T’s crossed. I created a very amateur video just to show the difference. Simple notes… it’s just terrible how fast they die out with the new style bridge.
Now my disclaimer, I am a huge PRS fan. I’ve owned and played PRS GUITAR’s since 1990. I own many! This thread and the video is in no way meant to bash PRS! With that said I would not recommend the new style bridge on any stripped 58. I would like to have a volunteer who has a 594 with the original style bridge (with the large block saddles) conduct an experiment by putting this new style bridge in their guitar. But, I am requesting that you must be able to make a video and post it on YouTube. I will send the bridge to you on loan. (I will send it to continental United States only and you must return it to me unless you want to buy it)
Here’s the video link: