Metropoulos Forum

What do you guys think about this style string-thru bridge, as opposed the the Gibson tail-piece?
I've seen topics about the tail piece, and getting aftermarket products for better sustain etc.
Seems to me this would be a good thing, the strings actually being strung thru the wood.
Any thoughts?
I want to build a Gibson type guitar, Explorer, LP, SG, (not sure yet) so this seems like a valid option.

http://www.warmoth.com/showcase/sc_guit ... umber=M522" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I think it's a good idea. The concept works well for Telecasters and early Flying Vs.

Godin has been using this exact method on a lot of their guitars, and everything about it works very well. I have a few Godins with this feature (2 Flat Fives and a P-90 LG) and they're great... lots of sustain too.
Another cool aspect about this T.O.M. bridge/string anchoring thru the body is the fact that the tune-o-matic is recessed. It means that you dont need any neck angle or tall pickup mounting rings which aesthetically looks nicer, IMO. Keeps everything nice and flat. Godin even goes a step further and routes small "ramps" from the T.O.M. to the place where the string goes thru the body, giving even more downward string pressure on the bridge. It would be easy enough to duplicate that with the correct router set up.

I really like the feel of a recessed TOM. That's how I built the latest 2 projects. In terms of sustain, there's no scientific proof that through the body tailpieces actually make a difference in tone or sustain.





Picture album here:
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/19245043" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

fillmore nyc wrote:Another cool aspect about this T.O.M. bridge/string anchoring thru the body is the fact that the tune-o-matic is recessed. It means that you dont need any neck angle or tall pickup mounting rings which aesthetically looks nicer, IMO.

I'm totally with you there Fill.
Less is more.

jcmjmp wrote:I really like the feel of a recessed TOM. That's how I built the latest 2 projects. In terms of sustain, there's no scientific proof that through the body tailpieces actually make a difference in tone or sustain.

Wow, that is one sweet looking axe!
Really like the angled/staggered string thru as opposed to the crescent style.
Pretty much looks like the guitar I have in mind!

I have no real clue about sustain etc, just seems like the less *gadgets* involved, the better off one would be.
Again, I address that because people pay top dollar for replacement items that in this case are not in the equation.
Thanks for the input.

OnTheFritz wrote:I have no real clue about sustain etc, just seems like the less *gadgets* involved, the better off one would be.

Thats one of the reasons I like a wraparound tailpiece better than any other type bridge, Fritz.
I have a Godin Flat Five thats one of my lab-rat guitars--I changed the pickups to Antiquities, removed the tone pot and replaced it with a Gibson 3 way toggle, removed the 5 way slider switch that used to be the pup selector and replaced it with a 3 way slider and use that for a tone switch (1st position is no cap, 2nd position is a .01 bumblebee, and 3rd position is a .018 bumblebee). I've even been dicking around with the idea of building an Area 51, or B.Y.O.C. wah circuit into the guitar to replace the 3 way cap-based tone circuit... might be cool.

I've been thinking about converting the T.O.M./string-thru body set up to an aluminum wraptail, maybe covering the string thru holes with something decorative, like a piece of ebony shaped and inlayed... not sure yet, Im still in the "thinking about it" stage.
Honestly, I dont know if it would really make much of a difference, but I've always liked the Jeff Beck LP a lot, and I dont think Im gonna get Chief to part with his( ), so this is my alternative.
If I do it, Ill post pics.

OnTheFritz wrote: Wow, that is one sweet looking axe!
Really like the angled/staggered string thru as opposed to the crescent style.
Pretty much looks like the guitar I have in mind!

Cool. That guitar's design (shape, wood selection etc) was spec'd out by one of the members on this forum. He got his with all black hardware, EMGs, Sperzel tuners etc... One sweet axe. Mine is the same but with different hardware.

OnTheFritz wrote: I have no real clue about sustain etc, just seems like the less *gadgets* involved, the better off one would be.
Again, I address that because people pay top dollar for replacement items that in this case are not in the equation.
Thanks for the input.

I like less hardware. All my guitars have their pickups mounted directly on the body. That definitely adds fatness to the sound because the entire pickup vibrates with the guitar.

Then again, when you look at a Les Paul, it sounds the way it does in part due to the tailpiece, pickup mounting and placement and general contruction. Every little aspect of a build does affect the tone somewhat but some things are pretty much impossible to discern with a human ear. I wonder if one could hear the difference between a LP with a regular tailpiece vs string through. I'll be starting a couple of LP builds this year and I will try at least one with the string through design.