Jazz+ Posted August 26, 2018 Share Posted August 26, 2018 I ordered a chrome zinc Gotoh Tune-o-matic bridge for my Epiphone Casino Coupe because I had heard they were better than the Epiphone tune-o-matic bridge. The Gotoh is heavier though, it weighs 2.0 ounces and the Epiphone barely weighs 1.7 ounce. Isnt a lighter bridge preferable on a hollow electric ? They both function about the same. The Gotoh is broader. Harry was the Technical Editor of Mark Levine's "The Jazz Theory Book" and helped develop "The Jazz Piano Book." Find 850 of Harry's solo piano arrangements of standards and jazz tutorials at https://www.patreon.com/HarryLikas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larryz Posted August 26, 2018 Share Posted August 26, 2018 For me, I would worry more about the price than the weight. The Epi guitar Casino Coupe goes for about $450, so I would go with a $40 Gotoh over a higher priced $100 bridge. The Gotoh should get the job done. Can't say which is the better bridge, but you could talk to a tech and get a pretty good opinion... Take care, Larryz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz+ Posted August 26, 2018 Author Share Posted August 26, 2018 Thanks, the Gotoh Japan costs $24. It will sit lower than the Epiphone and that is some advantage because the Epi is already been dialed as low as it can go Harry was the Technical Editor of Mark Levine's "The Jazz Theory Book" and helped develop "The Jazz Piano Book." Find 850 of Harry's solo piano arrangements of standards and jazz tutorials at https://www.patreon.com/HarryLikas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz+ Posted August 26, 2018 Author Share Posted August 26, 2018 I am going to swap them back and forth. I am going to try those black Teflon graptec string saver saddles that have a mellow resonant tone Harry was the Technical Editor of Mark Levine's "The Jazz Theory Book" and helped develop "The Jazz Piano Book." Find 850 of Harry's solo piano arrangements of standards and jazz tutorials at https://www.patreon.com/HarryLikas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larryz Posted August 26, 2018 Share Posted August 26, 2018 Should be a fun little project to tinker with...keep us posted on how the test results come out! Take care, Larryz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz+ Posted August 28, 2018 Author Share Posted August 28, 2018 Okay, the two TOMs sound and function the same but the Epi wins because it is slimmer and thus 10% lighter. The graptech saddles reduce the high frequencies thus I will be using the original metal saddles Harry was the Technical Editor of Mark Levine's "The Jazz Theory Book" and helped develop "The Jazz Piano Book." Find 850 of Harry's solo piano arrangements of standards and jazz tutorials at https://www.patreon.com/HarryLikas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larryz Posted August 28, 2018 Share Posted August 28, 2018 Good info Jazz+, jazz players may like the mellower tone of the graphtech, while rock players and country rock players tend to like more treble... Take care, Larryz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A String Posted August 28, 2018 Share Posted August 28, 2018 Not sure about the bridge but the Teflon string saver saddles are awesome. I have some on my Strat and I haven't broken a string since. Craig Stringnetwork on Facebook String Network Forum My Music Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz+ Posted August 28, 2018 Author Share Posted August 28, 2018 You can dial off the high frequency overtones with your tone control and your amp, but you cant dial them back in... it's a bad idea to cut the high frequencies (overtones) with the saddles. They play a role even when you dial down to a jazz tone like Kenny Burrel or Benson, the overtones are part of the clarity equation. I have stringsavers on my Strat so I know how they kill the highs... wont be putting on my jazz guitar or any others. Harry was the Technical Editor of Mark Levine's "The Jazz Theory Book" and helped develop "The Jazz Piano Book." Find 850 of Harry's solo piano arrangements of standards and jazz tutorials at https://www.patreon.com/HarryLikas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz+ Posted August 29, 2018 Author Share Posted August 29, 2018 Frankly I think they are a gimmick when they claim better frequency response... less likely to cut a string yes ... improved frequencies no. Harry was the Technical Editor of Mark Levine's "The Jazz Theory Book" and helped develop "The Jazz Piano Book." Find 850 of Harry's solo piano arrangements of standards and jazz tutorials at https://www.patreon.com/HarryLikas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz+ Posted August 29, 2018 Author Share Posted August 29, 2018 Epiphone has used good quality tune-o-matic bridges for the past 7 years. The hype about upgrading is sales marketing, imo. It reminds me of the push to replace all the pots and caps when upgrading pickups, again not necessary at all. Pickups yes, entire wiring harness, no. [video:youtube] Harry was the Technical Editor of Mark Levine's "The Jazz Theory Book" and helped develop "The Jazz Piano Book." Find 850 of Harry's solo piano arrangements of standards and jazz tutorials at https://www.patreon.com/HarryLikas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larryz Posted August 29, 2018 Share Posted August 29, 2018 Epi upgraded the pots and caps along with the pups to US made 500K and US made 57 Gibson humbuckers. They must know what they are doing as it keeps up quite well with a $4,000 ES-175 Gibson and only cost $1,000 with all stock parts factory installed. No need to take a stock Epi and upgrade it...it was already figured out for us as to what it takes to make a laminate sound as good as the real thing! They are also upgrading the ES-295 with US made P90's and upgraded pots/caps and putting them out at the same reasonable prices. I know the 175's sounds great and I bought one as soon as I heard what Epi was up to! My buddy had his Epi Sheridan and his George Benson 175 upgraded the same way with US 57 Gibson humbuckers and pots. They both sound great... My only rule of thumb on the bridges, is to make sure to use a roller TOM if running a whammy or Bigsby. The sharp saddle can cause a little hang up on the wound strings and cause them to go a little out of tune at times... Take care, Larryz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz+ Posted August 29, 2018 Author Share Posted August 29, 2018 The only thing I am upgrading on my 2018 $499 Epi Casino "Coupe" are the pickups. Not sure what grade they are - Neck Pickup: Epiphone Dogear P-90T "Classic" Bridge Pickup: Epiphone Dogear P-90R Classic I assume they are not the Epiphone P90 "Pro" (Gibson?) pickups... I have a pair of Seymour Duncan Antiquity P90 dogear pickups that I plan to install. Harry was the Technical Editor of Mark Levine's "The Jazz Theory Book" and helped develop "The Jazz Piano Book." Find 850 of Harry's solo piano arrangements of standards and jazz tutorials at https://www.patreon.com/HarryLikas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.