String spacing is assymetric - not equal between the centre of strings, but equal between the outer surfaces of adjacent strings. So the fatter strings get a little more spacing measured concentrically, and skinnier strings are slightly closer together. This gives a natural feeling of evenness between strings when you are plucking picking and strumming. The string spacing gauge establishes a pretty good ratio of spacing once you establish where you want the outer two strings in a way that they line up correctly along the neck. This all assumes the nut slots are also correctly placed.
Fantastic Dave, thanks for going to the effort of upgrading the video and audio, and production, everything takes shape when a guitar of this quality hits the bench for such an important upgrade. cheers
I love those guitars..but I now only use roller bridges. I don't care about authentic I care about playability. and less broken strings. I adore your videos Bruthuh.
lol, "I wish I could see around corners". Thanks for sharing, Dave. I always enjoy your videos. Very entertaining.... wait, I should be practicing guitar ;) Have a good one mate. Rock on \m/
Dave, have you heard of leaving some chalk under the feet of the bridge for a hollow-body? I saw a guy who built double-basses, and he put a little chalk under the bridge feet - his theory was the crystalline structure of the chalk gave it a little 'bite' between the bridge and body, allowing the best transfer of vibrations.
See Dave, I have that gizmo to level the bottom of the bridge to ensure it meets the contours of the top. The one made by that company you don't like. It's easier to see the gaps on a mandolin bridge so I felt it somewhat important for my use. Inexpensive Mandolins never come setup and I have yet to see one setup at any of the ,major guitar shops either.
Dave, I'm wondering if setting the string heights and after removing the strings, using the the metal bridge on the properly adjusted thumbscrews would properly tweak the baseboard for sanding the contour as if it were in use?
What do you think about that style of bridge? Only second time I've seen one on an ES. First time I thought he had broken the original and made that himself.
I tried some sort of all-singing all-dancing dead on ES175 reissue a few months back. It felt like a cheap archtop acoustic guitar that somebody had bodged humbuckers into. Stiff, twangy strings with limited sustain, and none of the jazzy warmth I was geared up for. The switch floated around on a rubber washer. The f-holes still had residual tear-out from the routing process. The finish was acceptable but not brilliant, especially around the neck-to-body joint. This guitar was £6000.
Ok thanks. I don't know much about these guitars. So what if someone changes the strings and doesn't know exactly where the bridge goes after it moves? The intonation would be off.
yes it would be off - in this vid, Dave marked where it came from with tape. But the placement of the bridge can be changed, for example if you changed string gauge, the bridge can be moved to help compensate the intonation, in addition to the minor adjustments for each saddle. I had to do it for mine when I changed to flat-wounds.
20mayfield Doesn't the f holes tell you where the bridge goes? I was told that once, don't know how true it is never had a guitar with a floating bridge.
String spacing is assymetric - not equal between the centre of strings, but equal between the outer surfaces of adjacent strings.
So the fatter strings get a little more spacing measured concentrically, and skinnier strings are slightly closer together. This gives a natural feeling of evenness between strings when you are plucking picking and strumming.
The string spacing gauge establishes a pretty good ratio of spacing once you establish where you want the outer two strings in a way that they line up correctly along the neck. This all assumes the nut slots are also correctly placed.
Fantastic Dave, thanks for going to the effort of upgrading the video and audio, and production, everything takes shape when a guitar of this quality hits the bench for such an important upgrade. cheers
Thanks for the upload. Always love watching.
Great work Dave.
delicate work to be done
damn Dave you really know your shit ! always enjoy watching your work and always learn something pretty cool when you think about it
That is one beautiful guitar. Love the finish
Accuracy is by definition an aid to creative ability in music !!
Great, great, great ! ! !
That's a pure tone I heat coming from that new low-E string. Patient son of a gun, you are Sir.
thanks Dave
I love those guitars..but I now only use roller bridges. I don't care about authentic I care about playability. and less broken strings. I adore your videos Bruthuh.
Hail hail rock n' roll!
Ring my Ding-a Ling
Very helpful video Dave. I have an identical Gibson ES175. Can you please advise what the new bridge is (manufacturer and model). Many thanks John
lol, "I wish I could see around corners".
Thanks for sharing, Dave. I always enjoy your videos. Very entertaining.... wait, I should be practicing guitar ;)
Have a good one mate. Rock on \m/
Dave, have you heard of leaving some chalk under the feet of the bridge for a hollow-body? I saw a guy who built double-basses, and he put a little chalk under the bridge feet - his theory was the crystalline structure of the chalk gave it a little 'bite' between the bridge and body, allowing the best transfer of vibrations.
Not sure that adding more material between the wood and metal would increase contact, or vibration.
lovely looking guitar. would love to hear a demo by the owner.
very mellow tonight.
DAVE!!!!!
See Dave, I have that gizmo to level the bottom of the bridge to ensure it meets the contours of the top. The one made by that company you don't like. It's easier to see the gaps on a mandolin bridge so I felt it somewhat important for my use. Inexpensive Mandolins never come setup and I have yet to see one setup at any of the ,major guitar shops either.
Are you joking or do you really want to try it out? No charge. You know the one S.M. sells.
Doink. Right in the F hole. Great job Dave.
Dave, I'm wondering if setting the string heights and after removing the strings, using the the metal bridge on the properly adjusted thumbscrews would properly tweak the baseboard for sanding the contour as if it were in use?
Wow that thing iis loud even when not plugged in!
GREAT FUCKING JOB...SIR ! ! !
That's a cool guitar
What do you think about that style of bridge? Only second time I've seen one on an ES. First time I thought he had broken the original and made that himself.
you should leave bridge on while sanding to give you the even pressure your looking for.
you mean leave the upper bridge with saddles on the base? I guess that makes sense.
I didn"t watch the whole video before I made a comment,(my bad),but he did do just what I was thinking about Outloud.
Dave, could you please set up shop in Colorado?
I tried some sort of all-singing all-dancing dead on ES175 reissue a few months back. It felt like a cheap archtop acoustic guitar that somebody had bodged humbuckers into. Stiff, twangy strings with limited sustain, and none of the jazzy warmth I was geared up for. The switch floated around on a rubber washer. The f-holes still had residual tear-out from the routing process. The finish was acceptable but not brilliant, especially around the neck-to-body joint. This guitar was £6000.
That is some serious coin. I assume you weren't very happy?
dustless chalk is that like dry water?
What's holding the bridge onto the body?
Ok thanks. I don't know much about these guitars. So what if someone changes the strings and doesn't know exactly where the bridge goes after it moves? The intonation would be off.
Force of habit ...
yes it would be off - in this vid, Dave marked where it came from with tape. But the placement of the bridge can be changed, for example if you changed string gauge, the bridge can be moved to help compensate the intonation, in addition to the minor adjustments for each saddle. I had to do it for mine when I changed to flat-wounds.
20mayfield Doesn't the f holes tell you where the bridge goes? I was told that once, don't know how true it is never had a guitar with a floating bridge.
@Ron Padgett, Change the strings one at a time. The other 5 strings will keep the tension on the bridge and it will not move.
great job. I'm doing the same thing to my es175 too, but the bridge seems to be stuck in the mail
Hope not. Otherwise gotta make one with maple or something
Ebony is a better idea, ebony bridges are not uncommon and maple needs to be finished or it gets discolored very fast.
Well that started as a joke, but now you have me thinking. I will do some research now. Thanks for that
I'm in Ottawa and it's coming from China (aliexpress.com). I ordered it beginning of January and I think it's on the slow boat
John Guertin Everything that comes from those cheap Chinese factory's seem to take forever to ship.
The centers of the strings need to be equally spaced, yes?
Sweet guitar. I've always been a sucker for blondes.
Damn, that there is a Ted Nugent guitar.
No Ted Nugent uses a Gibson Byrdland Guitar.
ES-175=Steve Howe to me. :^)
Ted Nugent Wango Tango No Gooch