Ebony or Rosewood for Bridge?

JezWynd

Just purchased an old ES-125T, a type of guitar I have no experience of. It's arrived with a modern metal bridge attachment but I understand originally it would have been wood. Would there be much difference in tone if I chose one wood over the other? I'm imagining that ebony might be harder and therefore brighter but that's just a guess.

Also, does anyone know where I can source a replacement ES-125T bridge (or generic archtop?) in UK/EU?

A picture of my latest squeeze.

Funkfingers

The A. R. Duchossoir  Gibson Electric book says Rosewood with compensated intonation profile. 

The original will have been cut for a wound G string. The conversion on the guitar in the photograph makes sense for lighter gauge strings with a plain G.

WezV

Rosewood is certainly right for that style of Gibson but try ebony if you want a bit more snap.

finding a bridge is easy, or was before rosewood became an issue... but setting it up nicely takes a bit more work, like a nut really.

JezWynd

I don't know what the current strings are except that they're round wounds with a wound 3rd. I'm used to 9-41 pure nickels on a solid body so this is a bit of a change. I've ordered a set of 11-49 half rounds which is a kinda halfway house. It sounds lovely and is surprisingly loud unplugged. Fell in love as soon as I held it and strummed a few chords. My first Gibson 6 string.

WezV

looks like allparts only have ebony now
https://www.allparts.uk.com/products/compensated-bridge-and-base-for-arched-top-guitar-ebony

honestly though, chinese sellers on ebay might be worth a look.  it will come rough, but no rougher than that one from allparts

like this

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Archtop-Guitar-Bridge-American-50s-Style-Rosewood-Bass-Jazz-Rockabilly-Blues/122954721025?hash=item1ca0ac2701:g:mPYAAOSwKIdaehFp

but straight from the source
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Adjustable-Rosewood-Wood-Guitar-Bridge-for-Archtop-Jazz-Guitar-Musical-Parts/152822483079?hash=item2394ee0887:g:IkAAAOSwdJ9aRttO

i would buy 3 from china, pick the best one and give it a good oil and polish

JezWynd

This one look okay, matches style of existing base part.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wooden-Carved-Guitar-Bridge-for-Archtop-Jazz-Guitar-Accessory-137-x-15mm/162916709890?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D52945%26meid%3D5b3cca21d70b4079a82afcd5802857c1%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D11%26sd%3D122954721025%26itm%3D162916709890&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851
I like your idea of getting a couple. I’ve got Höfner bass bridges from China in the past and they were perfectly acceptable.

ICBM

Rosewood on that guitar.

And definitely don't use a plain third... it's just Not Right .

Lovely guitar, with a vibe that's completely different from a modern electric.

JezWynd

ICBM said:

Lovely guitar, with a vibe that's completely different from a modern electric.

Yes, that's just what I was seeking. Hoping this will get me out of the rut my guitar playing has fallen into.

Is there any way to reliably date this? Store said they thought '61 but there are no obvious markings to ID it and pots aren't available to view, maybe a dental mirror?

ICBM

The pots might be useful but only if you can read the codes, they're often covered in solder. (Or replaced anyway.)

If there's no serial number visible, there may be a 'factory number', which will usually be on the inside of the body near the treble-side f-hole, often on the inside of the top so you will also need a mirror. The letter in it is the year, Q is 1961 but they go backwards!

The knobs would make it 1961 or earlier, but they could easily be replacements.

JezWynd

Thanks @ICBM, that's helpful, I shall investigate.

Funkfingers

Er, would the rosewood in an original early Sixties carved bridge have been Brazilian?

KKJale

That's really nice. Maybe consider an original pickguard as well? They're not too spendy. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Gibson-1959-Tortiose-Shell-Single-Pickup-ES-125-Pickguard-w-Mounts/202365031495

WezV

Funkfingers said:

Er, would the rosewood in an original early Sixties carved bridge have been Brazilian?

Most likely.  

JezWynd

KKJale said:

That's really nice. Maybe consider an original pickguard as well? They're not too spendy. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Gibson-1959-Tortiose-Shell-Single-Pickup-ES-125-Pickguard-w-Mounts/202365031495

Oooh tempting! Is it possible to bid on US auctions if I have a UK account? I seem to recall trying to log in once and my details not being recognised.

Corvus

Nice guitar..

Drain LED snake mini USB cam, I got one for seeing inside acoustics for 6 squid. Has LED lights so no probs seeing in there, hook to PC and see live video, can record as well. Only thing is the very long cable!

I've bought via US fleabay no problem, same account. Even if it says US post only it can be worth an ask sometimes they're fine with it.

ESchap

JezWynd said:

KKJale said:

That's really nice. Maybe consider an original pickguard as well? They're not too spendy. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Gibson-1959-Tortiose-Shell-Single-Pickup-ES-125-Pickguard-w-Mounts/202365031495

Oooh tempting! Is it possible to bid on US auctions if I have a UK account? I seem to recall trying to log in once and my details not being recognised.

Firstly,  lovely guitar.   I’ve bought a few bits and bobs from that guy on eBay,  all good.  He’s also got a full rosewood bridge listed. Not sure if it being rosewood will be a shipping issue though.  I’ve got a few old Gibson archtops.  They all came with wooden bridges.  In spite of having 12 Guage flats on, I’ve got tunomatic bridges on them all.  Intonation with the wooden bridge is a compromise at best.  Tbh I don’t find a huge difference in the tone with a metal bridge, but I’m used to it now.   Gibson started stamping serial numbers on headstocks in mid mid-1961.  As @icbm says, there may be a factory number pencilled or inked inside the body.  A letter denoted the year ... Q will be 1961, R 1960, S 1959 ... etc. 

JezWynd

ESchap said:

JezWynd said:

KKJale said:

That's really nice. Maybe consider an original pickguard as well? They're not too spendy. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Gibson-1959-Tortiose-Shell-Single-Pickup-ES-125-Pickguard-w-Mounts/202365031495

Oooh tempting! Is it possible to bid on US auctions if I have a UK account? I seem to recall trying to log in once and my details not being recognised.

Firstly,  lovely guitar.   I’ve bought a few bits and bobs from that guy on eBay,  all good.  He’s also got a full rosewood bridge listed. Not sure if it being rosewood will be a shipping issue though.  I’ve got a few old Gibson archtops.  They all came with wooden bridges.  In spite of having 12 Guage flats on, I’ve got tunomatic bridges on them all.  Intonation with the wooden bridge is a compromise at best.  Tbh I don’t find a huge difference in the tone with a metal bridge, but I’m used to it now.   Gibson started stamping serial numbers on headstocks in mid mid-1961.  As @icbm says, there may be a factory number pencilled or inked inside the body.  A letter denoted the year ... Q will be 1961, R 1960, S 1959 ... etc. 

Interesting comments re the metal bridge having little effect. Could it be that the darker toned flats are compensating? I may end up using flats; currently have some half rounds on the way as i’m noticing some squeak and noise from the round wounds.  I should work on cleaning up my technique. I’ve ordered a couple of cheap Chinese bridges (the listing doesn’t call them rosewood) purely as an experiment but I imagine I’ll stay with the metal adjustable in the end.

FatPete

JezWynd said:

KKJale said:

That's really nice. Maybe consider an original pickguard as well? They're not too spendy. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Gibson-1959-Tortiose-Shell-Single-Pickup-ES-125-Pickguard-w-Mounts/202365031495

Oooh tempting! Is it possible to bid on US auctions if I have a UK account? I seem to recall trying to log in once and my details not being recognised.

Link to the same item via UK ebay:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gibson-1959-Tortiose-Shell-Single-Pickup-ES-125-Pickguard-w-Mounts/202365031495

JezWynd

FatPete said:

JezWynd said:

KKJale said:

That's really nice. Maybe consider an original pickguard as well? They're not too spendy. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Gibson-1959-Tortiose-Shell-Single-Pickup-ES-125-Pickguard-w-Mounts/202365031495

Oooh tempting! Is it possible to bid on US auctions if I have a UK account? I seem to recall trying to log in once and my details not being recognised.

Link to the same item via UK ebay:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gibson-1959-Tortiose-Shell-Single-Pickup-ES-125-Pickguard-w-Mounts/202365031495

Excellent, thank you. I see he’s also got an original nickel tailpiece which might be even more tempting,

KKJale

I cannot tell a lie, I spotted that tailpiece a few days ago and bought it last night. I've had a wanted ad up here for one for about a year.

Happy days  

JezWynd

KKJale said:

I cannot tell a lie, I spotted that tailpiece a few days ago and bought it last night. I've had a wanted ad up here for one for about a year.

Happy days  

And I awoke by chance at 1.58am and put a bid in on the pickguard and won. I didn't bid on the tailpiece in the end, I've bought a new nickel one which was less expensive, figuring it will wear over time. I was tempted by the original though, looks great, enjoy!