How To Remove Tune-o-matic Bridge Posts

Mr.Moore

Hey at that place

I was wondering if there's an easy way to replace the traditional (Gibson Les Paul Junior like) wraparound bridge by an "adjusted" tune-o-matic or even roller span? Sometimes I see people playing LP juniors with bigsby trems only I can't tell how these kinds of bridges are called.

For example:

or

So any ideas how to handle the span issue that will come by adding a tremolo behind the wraparound bridge?
Would love to read some of your thoughts!

FB

Noodling Guitars

Hopefully I empathize your questions correctly.

Standard tune-o-matics won't be a straight drop-in. The Bigsby dog os/bowtie bridges used by Gibson in the 50s are ane solution to the problem (and imho it leaned towards the cosmetic side more than the functional side, not that it doesn't piece of work, but tbh they're probably non the most versatile option nowadays). You tin can get them here if that'southward what you want:

Bigsby Sorkin Bowtie Bridge

Bigsby® Sorkin Bowtie BridgeBigsby® bridge from the 1950'south. These were typically establish on early on Premier® guitars and some Rickenbacker® models. This is an authentic Bigsby® part that is stamped "MADE IN U.s.a." on the lesser.

It just relies on downward force per unit area. Some people add a chip of cork padding. You could as well use some padded double stick tape on Epiphones since the cease is poly anyway.

Alternatively, what I have seen people exercise (and it'south a fairly practical solution), is to install an adaptable wraptail, and put a Bigsby unit behind that. The adaptable wrap tail would substantially act as your tune-o-matic. Even simply a lightning wraparound + Bigsby works.

BGood · April 17, 2022

The adjustable wrap tail would substantially act as your tune-o-matic. Even just a lightning wraparound + Bigsby works.

This or that

Lighning bolt.jpg

Mr.Moore

Thanks a lot for your answers!

What if I'm planing to install a Jazzmaster style floating tremolo?

The challenge volition be that a wraparound bridge needs string tension to hold the bridge in identify confronting the studs. If you put a vibrato behind it and run the strings over the top, yous basically accept nada pressure keeping the bridge attached to the guitar I guess?

BGood

Guess you'll have to MacGyver something so.

Imerkat

Schaller makes a retrofit trem that tin can be mounted on a wrap-around post

BGood

Schaller makes a retrofit trem that can be mounted on a wrap-around post

Hope your guitar is non fabricated of balsa. That must pull on the bushings like crazy.

Noodling Guitars

Thank you a lot for your answers!
What if I'thou planing to install a Jazzmaster style floating tremolo?

The claiming will be that a wraparound span needs string tension to hold the bridge in place confronting the studs. If y'all put a vibrato backside it and run the strings over the acme, you lot basically have zero pressure keeping the span fastened to the guitar I guess?

A jazzmaster way trem is going to take a lot more work because of the cavity it needs. You'd essentially be making this, but with a correct LP shape:
For the bridge, you could always consider something like a tonepros, which has a locking mechanism to concord it in identify.

That's what this person did:

28 Flathead

This looks similar the solution to me.

Raiyn

What if I'thou planing to install a Jazzmaster style floating tremolo?

I'd wonder why you'd be looking to do that much etching on a $200 bolt neck Epi while not being willing to plug the holes an commit to a different span. JM / Jag bridges tin can be a scattering to setup properly on the guitars they're designed for much less some homebrew Franken-Epi. Likewise, is there fifty-fifty enough room dorsum there to get all the angles right?