Schaller 475 Flat, Gotoh 510 and stud questions.

[Ace Flibble]

I figured it was better to make one combined topic than clutter the boards with two.

Trying to pick a fixed bridge for a flattop LP (though working this build out is driving me around the bend so I'm this close to making a simple HH Tele instead. Damn you Warmoth, and all your confusing options!).

Gotoh 510 bridge: Warmoth say it's best for carved tops, implying there will be problems if installed on a flattop guitar. What problems would these be? I have a few flattop guitars with wraparound bridges like this (admittedly, they're the really old style single piece wraparounds) and they have no problems. Also is it hard to install the studs into the body without professional tools and whatever, as I want to finish the guitar myself? In fact how hard is it to install studs at all, such as for ToM and stopbar bridges? I generally prefer wraparound bridges, then ToMs then any other kind of hardtail, but the whole stud thing and Warmoth's description of the Gotoh 510 not working well with flattops has me worried.

Schaller 475 flat bridge: Anyone used it? Is it hard to adjust the string spacing? I'm liking the idea of this bridge for it's simple installation but I'm a bit worried it might be a bit of a pain to live with.

 

[tfarny]

Hope this is helpful - I haven't used the bridges you mention, but have looked into the issue:

The gotoh 510 spacing should be compatible with most of the wraparounds that stew mac sells, especially including the pignose and the badass copy. The specs look to be within .5mm, which is a good tolerance anyhow - basically the same. Again, I haven't done it.
You can get warmoth to install the studs, then you can stuff them with gauze while finishing. Shouldn't be a big deal, they shouldn't stick out. May be worth calling warmoth on this one though.
Personally I feel that those two bridges - gotoh 510 and schaller 475 - are ugly as sin and I can't see any advantages for them over the old style wraparound or the strat hardtail bridge. Just an opinion.
Good luck!

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

Personally I feel that those two bridges - gotoh 510 and schaller 475 - are ugly as sin and I can't see any advantages for them over the old style wraparound or the strat hardtail bridge. Just an opinion.
Good luck!

+1 with the ugly.  However, the Strat hardtail won't work on a carved top for obvious reasons.