LPJR bridge choices

[BigBeard]

So I am in the planning stages of a LPJR build for myself and I am going over my options for a bridge.  I don't really want to put the $240 into the LR Baggs setup, as I already have a guitar with one of those, but I may consider it. 

I am honestly undecided between the Schroeder bridge and doing a simple T-O-M and my own custom wooden tailpiece.  If I did a wood tailpiece I would use string through ferrules on both sides of it and kind of mimick the shape of the Schroeder's 'boat-tail'  I kind of want a pseudo vintage vibe, although I'm not opposed to the guitar having a 'hot rod' look either..... definately not going to do an exact copy of a JR..... it's gonna have some inlayed accent woods and stuff, cause I bought a right handed kit and I'm gonna chop up the body to make it symmetrical by mirroring the smaller bout, if you smell what I'm stepping in.  The main vibe of this guitar is gonna be the homebuit aspect of it on the cheap...... Now I don't mean I'm gonna go all korean hardware cheap, just if I can fabricate a part, I am going to.

I am leaning towards a separate T-O-M and tailpiece because I know how they play.  Never had the opportunity to mess with a guitar that has just a wrap around bridge.  Thoughts on that?  Intonation is a big deal to me, and being a lefty, this is one place that the guitar parts market out and out ignores us.  I have never seen a compensated wrap around bridge/tailpiece in left handed, ever!

here is a picture of the Schroeder bridge if you don't know what I'm talking about:

 

[Nando Vallart]

Wraparound... Perhaps this one on the pic, perhaps the Tone Pros, perhaps the StewMac intonated one... But Jr = Wraparound!

 

[Superlizard]

OMG it's a wrapover... beware the luddites.  :icon_jokercolor:

 

[BigBeard]

Wraparound... Perhaps this one on the pic, perhaps the Tone Pros, perhaps the StewMac intonated one... But Jr = Wraparound!

That is what my thoughts are Nando.......  but keep in mind I play retarded (lefty) no intonated wraparounds for me unless they are like this one with adjustable saddles  :sad1:

This project is going to be more of a 'JR inspired' build than a correct junior.....  I think till it's done, though it's gonna be more on the lines of a double cut LP Special.  And if that's the case, I guess I should think about two P-90's....

No wait a minute....... What about my 'on the cheap' vibe?  Looks like that is getting thrown into traffic  :icon_scratch:

Geez..... Decisions, decisions

 

[Nando Vallart]

The TonePros or this Schoreder seems the way to go... Just need to talk with Warmoth about routing for Wraparound, not sure how they think about, as usually is not 100% on place as TOM...

For cheap vibe = Tone Pros and single P90 dogear... It just got the "dirty and mean dog" look!

 

[BigBeard]

The TonePros or this Schoreder seems the way to go... Just need to talk with Warmoth about routing for Wraparound, not sure how they think about, as usually is not 100% on place as TOM...

For cheap vibe = Tone Pros and single P90 dogear... It just got the "dirty and mean dog" look!

Shhhhh...... This one isn't a Warmoth Nando........  Bought one of those DIY guitar kits off Fleabay..... Set neck and everything $190US out the door.  So I'll be installing the bridge myself, so no worries on that.  But that brings up an interesting question in my brain..... How does a wraparound intonate?  Long or short in comparison to the actual scale length?  Hoping I can set high e to the 24.75 scale length like I would with any other bridge?  I love projects that are riddled with the unknown, because when they are done, it isn't unknown anymore.

If I'm going to build anything I seriously have to clean out my workshop, I've been neglecting cleaning it to the point where it's almost unsafe to use power tools.  I better get on that before the wife ventures downstairs to see the trainwreck that I caused.  I try to clean it very well before I start on something new, but I have really been lazy about cleaning it up for about 3 months and it's getting bad.  I have great intentions of installing the dust collector my dad got me for christmas too, but I'm putting that off also!

 

[reinhold]

Either the Schroeder or maybe a Hipshot Baby Grand?

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_tailpieces/Electric_guitar,_non-trem_bridges/Hipshot_Baby_Grand_Bridge.html

 

[BigBeard]

Either the Schroeder or maybe a Hipshot Baby Grand?

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_tailpieces/Electric_guitar,_non-trem_bridges/Hipshot_Baby_Grand_Bridge.html

I would LOVE to use one of those baby grand bridges..........  But I think it wouldn't look right on a lefty!

 

[AGWAN]

I think it could work. I considered it.

 

[Nando Vallart]

Either the Schroeder or maybe a Hipshot Baby Grand?

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_tailpieces/Electric_guitar,_non-trem_bridges/Hipshot_Baby_Grand_Bridge.html

I would LOVE to use one of those baby grand bridges..........  But I think it wouldn't look right on a lefty!

Ya kidding me?? It's butt ugly!

 

[tfarny]

Pignose is the only one you should consider, call them and see if they'll do lefty.

 

[Nando Vallart]

Pignose is the only one you should consider, call them and see if they'll do lefty.

Couldn't find the website, could you point it?

 

[DangerousR6]

I'd say the 456.... :headbang:

 

[BigBeard]

Pignose is the only one you should consider, call them and see if they'll do lefty.

Pignose?  Not sure if I'm familiar?  Could you elaborate?  I'll consider it if I knew what exactly you were talking about......

I'd say the 456.... :headbang:

Doug, what no 'put a floyd on it'    You love those micro tuners!!!!!  Actually for all practicality, this one is probably the best.  I should probably take function over form........

 

[DangerousR6]

Pignose is the only one you should consider, call them and see if they'll do lefty.

Pignose?  Not sure if I'm familiar?   Could you elaborate?  I'll consider it if I knew what exactly you were talking about......

I'd say the 456.... :headbang:

Doug, what no 'put a floyd on it'    You love those micro tuners!!!!!  Actually for all practicality, this one is probably the best.  I should probably take function over form........

nah, not on an LP.... :icon_biggrin:

 

[tfarny]

Pigtail, sorry.
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_tailpieces/Electric_guitar,_non-trem_bridges/Pigtail_Aluminum_Wraparound_Bridge.html

 

[jackthehack]

You left out an important option on your poll, the Leo Quan BadAss bridge: http://www.leoquan.com/html/guitardetails.html

I retrofit my 1964 Gibson Melody Maker with one of these; had used them previously on other vintage Melody Makers and a 1961 LPJr I had.

You can find unlicensed Chinese knock offs at guitarfetish.com or eBay for $25-30

 

[CrackedPepper]

FWIW, I voted Schroeder stoptail bridge.  That is really sharp - very distinctive!

 

[BigBeard]

Pigtail, sorry.
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_tailpieces/Electric_guitar,_non-trem_bridges/Pigtail_Aluminum_Wraparound_Bridge.html

Thanks for the link tfarny.  Honestly I think that just might be my favorite so far, simple and very LPJRish and intonate-able!!!  I can use any type of Tune O Matic on a lefty, they are universal.  I have never seen a compensated tailpiece, you know one of those simple ones that have the intonation cast into the top of them for a lefty.  I'm sure they are out there, but I'm not interested in them whatsoever.  I do however like this Pigtail a lot.  I guess it's a style thing at this point, as the difference in price between this and one of those Schroeders is $10. 

You left out an important option on your poll, the Leo Quan BadAss bridge: http://www.leoquan.com/html/guitardetails.html

I retrofit my 1964 Gibson Melody Maker with one of these; had used them previously on other vintage Melody Makers and a 1961 LPJr I had.

You can find unlicensed Chinese knock offs at guitarfetish.com or eBay for $25-30

Jack I left that bridge out only because I never heard of Leo Quan or his bad ass bridge.  Sorry man, but I don't really like that one.  Looks all chunky and big and junk.  But I'm gonna ask for the sake of asking, how does it play and intonate?  Good?  Bad? Ugly? 

FWIW, I voted Schroeder stoptail bridge.  That is really sharp - very distinctive!

That was the front runner in my mind till I started this poll.  Now I'm getting all crazy in my head and thinking about wasting all kinds of money... Listen to this idea...... Buy either one of these Schroeders or one of those Pigtails AND a T-Bridge, and put the LR Baggs saddles in one of these wrap around bridges.  Now, That would be the ultimate setup.... But pricey, definately the most pricey idea I have come up with for a bridge in a long time!  As much as I like that idea, how many Cadillac guitars do I need?  One is enough......  Think cheap Beardie...... cheap!

 

[bob7point7]

I voted for TOM with a custom wood tailpiece because it would be inexpensive and truly unique, but the Schroeder bridge is really sharp looking, and the pigtail screams LP JR while actually being intonatable. I wouldn't think there would be any difference in saddle position with a wraparound. The high E saddle should still be at 24.75". I'm looking forward to seeing progress pics of this one...