tune o matic with flat -ish radius

[gdgross]

Hi all, anyone know of a TOM bridge that has a flat-ish radius?  (like one what will match a warmoth 10-16" compound radius neck?  Most of the aftermarket ones I see are 12" or 14"

Thanks!
Geoff

 

[stratamania]

Babicz has individual string height adjustment for this type of bridge. It looks less traditional though which may matter to some.

Otherwise, you just notch the saddles to get the radius you want.

 

[gdgross]

Thanks, I'll look into them!  Hadn't heard of Babicz before

 

[AirCap]

Hadn't heard of Babicz before

They make particularly expensive, complicated, and unwieldy guitar hardware.

 

[BigSteve22]

Hadn't heard of Babicz before

They make particularly expensive, complicated, and unwieldy guitar hardware.

And an absolutely wonderful, Z-Series Telecaster bridge!  :icon_thumright:

 

[Cagey]

I don't think they're too complicated or unwieldy, but there's no excuse for the pricing precisely because they're not complicated and they're made in Taiwan. Generally speaking, I'm not against using overseas parts. But, if you're going to use them, then pass along the considerably lower costs.

 

[stratamania]

I was just checking prices of Babicz on this side of the pond. They do not seem to be expensive compared to other products of a similar type.

I am not against using overseas parts I even get stuff from the USA.

Really it does not matter where things are made the prices are what they are. The days of cheap plastic toys from Hong Kong are long gone.

Come on folks get a little bit more objective. Whether it fits your wheelhouse is another thing.

 

[BigSteve22]

I am not against using overseas parts I even get stuff from the USA.

Well said, I think..... ( :icon_scratch

Anyway, you're absolutely right, the country of origin is quickly becoming unimportant. When I was a kid, "Made in Japan" was the hallmark of cheap, low quality, crap. Now, their manufacturing quality is some of the best in the world. I'm using a Gotoh 510 series bridge and tuners on my current build, both excellent parts, and certainly not cheap!

 

[Cagey]

He lives in the UK, so ordering from the US would be "importing" parts.

 

[ragamuffin]

So back on topic, are there any tuneomatic options other than Babicz that will work with a modern construction neck’s 16 in radius?

I’d like to do a ToM build in the future, so it would be good to know

 

[stratamania]

As far as I know, there is not. But you would just notch the saddles to create the radius required.

 

[BigSteve22]

He lives in the UK, so ordering from the US would be "importing" parts.

Understood. I was just wondering if that implied a favorable comparison between US and Taiwanese manufacturing standards. (Many years ago, I was given a socket set that was so bad, that not only was the broaching horribly off, but they were actually marked: "Made in Taiwann". Hopefully, things have improved there also.)

To the OP: Sorry to take part in this hijacking. To make it up to you, I did a little research. Found this:

Gotoh 510BN, TOM Bridge w/ height adjustable saddles.

 

[ragamuffin]

Nice! Looks like Gotoh also makes a “510fb” adjustable ToM

 

[stratamania]

@BigSteve22 that is a good find.

On overseas, everywhere is overseas dependent on point of view. There is good and bad quality to be found regardless of origin.

 

[Toulouse_Tuhles]

Its a pretty easy matter to just file the tops of the saddles to match a flatter radius, but.....
Didn't somebody do a test with one of those fancy StewMac gauges to find that the actual radius of most TOM's is flatter than the 12" they're normally used on?  Didn't it come out to something like 14 or 15 inches?  This was some years ago... I could be full o' prunes, but... personally, I've never had a problem with a stock TOM on a compound radius Warmoth neck.

 

[Fat Pete]

Nice! Looks like Gotoh also makes a “510fb” adjustable ToM

I used that one on my 'Beast' - it's a nice bridge, but the saddles are not height adjustable. The screws on the saddles are there just to lock them in position.

 

[BigSteve22]

Nice! Looks like Gotoh also makes a “510fb” adjustable ToM

I used that one on my 'Beast' - it's a nice bridge, but the saddles are not height adjustable. The screws on the saddles are there just to lock them in position.

Yes, on the 510FB, the saddle screws lock the intonation in place, it's only on the 510BN that the saddles are height adjustable.

On overseas, everywhere is overseas dependent on point of view. There is good and bad quality to be found regardless of origin.

Couldn't agree more!  :icon_thumright: