ABR-1 Bridge On a Gibson® USA?
ABR-1 Bridge On a Gibson® USA?
If your Gibson USA guitar has an ABR-1 bridge, the bridge itself matches other Gibson ABR-1s. What changed is the mount: classic Original ABR-1 / wood-post setups screw threaded posts into wood with no body bushing, while many Gibson USA ABR-1 guitars use Nashville-style body bushings with integrated posts and thumbwheels. That mount decides whether you can keep the factory hardware or need Faber® USA/ABR-1 conversion posts for a locking upgrade.
Original ABR-1 vs Gibson USA bushing-mount ABR-1
For context only (not a year-based shopping rule):
- 1957–1974: Gibson used the ABR-1 Tune-o-matic on stoptail guitars (posts into wood, no body bushing).
- 1974 onward: Gibson introduced the Nashville bridge on the production USA line; ABR-1 stayed common on Custom Shop / historic-style wood-post mounts.
- 2017–2019: Some Gibson USA models used ABR-1 bridges with Nashville-style body bushings and integrated posts/thumbwheels.
- 2019–present: Gibson officially introduced the Original Collection and the Modern Collection (both continue today). For non–Custom Shop guitars that use ABR-1 bridges, this guide ties those bushing-mounted ABR-1 setups to the Gibson USA Original Collection (since 2019), along with the earlier 2017–2019 Gibson USA examples above. The Gibson Modern Collection guitars use Nashville bridges and use the parts in this section on the website: Gibson Guitar Parts with Nashville Bridge | Corsa-FaberUSA.
Not sure which system you have? Use Which Gibson Bridge Do I Have? or the ABR-1 vs Nashville vs wraparound guide.
How the mounts differ
Study the photos on this page (Original ABR-1 / wood posts vs Gibson USA bushing-mount ABR-1), then check your guitar:
| Original ABR-1 (wood-post) | Gibson USA bushing-mount ABR-1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical guitars | Custom Shop / historic-style (not “Gibson USA” production line) | Gibson USA Original Collection ABR-1 models since 2019; some Gibson USA models 2017–2019 |
| Body hardware | No metal bushing in the body | Metal bushings pressed into the body (same idea as Nashville) |
| Posts | 6-32 threaded posts screwed into wood | Integrated post + thumbwheel units that screw into the bushings |
| Thumbwheels | Separate, ride on the full-length threads | Built into the post unit |
| Upper post | Threaded | Unthreaded above the thumbwheel on the factory parts |
The ABR-1 bridge that sits on top is the same style either way. The upgrade path changes because of the bushings and the factory post shape.
What Faber® upgrade fits a Gibson USA bushing-mount ABR-1?
Faber has three practical paths for a Gibson USA guitar with a bushing-mounted ABR-1 system.
1) ABRH — no-wire bridge on your factory posts
The Faber® ABRH (ABR-’59 line) is a lightweight, non-locking ABR-1 style bridge with no saddle retaining wire. On a Gibson USA bushing-mount ABR-1 guitar it is meant to sit on your existing integrated posts and thumbwheels—a simple bridge swap with no special tools. It targets the rattle that stock ABR-1 retaining wires often cause.
The ABRH also fits Faber® “EZ” or “PLUS” USA/ABR-1 conversion posts if you change the posts later. It is not a Nashville-bridge product and is not sold as a drop-on for stock Nashville posts.
Browse finishes starting at #3023-0 Gloss Nickel or #3023-1 Aged Nickel.
2) Tone-Lock™ Bridge — needs USA/ABR-1 conversion posts
A Tone-Lock™ Bridge for USA/ABR-1 locks with lock nuts on threaded upper posts (“No Gap” clamping). Factory bushing-style ABR-1 posts are unthreaded above the thumbwheel, so they cannot accept Tone-Lock lock nuts.
Order a kit that already includes the matching posts:
- Tone-Lock™ Bridge “EZ” USA/ABR-1 — includes #3052-style steel “EZ” posts for your existing bushings
- Tone-Lock™ Bridge “PLUS” USA/ABR-1 — includes #3117-style German bell brass “PLUS” posts that replace the bushings
3) Tone-Lock™ Master Kit — bridge, posts, tailpiece, locking studs
For a full hardware set in one box, use a Master Kit for Gibson with USA/ABR-1:
- #6045 Master Kit “EZ” USA/ABR-1 — Tone-Lock bridge + steel “EZ” conversion posts + TP-’59 aluminum stop tailpiece + Tone-Lock INCH locking tailpiece studs and spacers
- #6049 Master Kit “PLUS” USA/ABR-1 — same kit layout with German bell brass “PLUS” conversion posts
Shop the wider USA/ABR-1 assortment at Products for Gibson Guitars with USA/ABR-1 Bridges. Extra video context lives on USA ABR-1 info and How-To Videos.
Faber® USA/ABR-1 conversion posts (available now)
Conversion posts for Gibson USA bushing-mount ABR-1 guitars are available now. They replace the factory integrated post/thumbwheel units (and, on “PLUS”, the bushings) with threaded ABR-1 upper posts so you can run a Tone-Lock bridge, an ABRH, or your original Gibson ABR-1.
“EZ” USA/ABR-1 posts (#3052) — steel, keep your bushings
#3052 “EZ” USA/ABR-1 conversion posts screw into the existing body bushings. No body modification. Material: steel posts (plated) with brass thumbwheels. The upper portion is 6-32 threaded so Tone-Lock lock nuts can clamp. Also works with ABRH or a stock Gibson ABR-1.
“PLUS” USA/ABR-1 posts (#3117) — German bell brass, replace the bushings
#3117 “PLUS” USA/ABR-1 conversion posts replace the original bushings and integrated posts with a one-piece German bell brass bushing/post and separate thumbwheels (closer to a vintage ABR-1 look). Measure hole depth before install; Faber has installation video coverage on the videos page. Same bridge compatibility: Tone-Lock, ABRH, or original Gibson ABR-1.
See all finishes in the USA/ABR-1 conversion posts category.
Quick chooser
| Goal | Posts / kit | Body work |
|---|---|---|
| Stop ABR-1 wire rattle, keep factory posts | ABRH on factory bushing-style ABR-1 posts | Bridge only |
| Locking bridge, keep bushings | Tone-Lock “EZ” USA/ABR-1 or #3052 + Tone-Lock | Replace posts in existing bushings |
| Locking bridge + replace bushings | Tone-Lock “PLUS” USA/ABR-1 or #3117 + Tone-Lock | Replace bushings (measure depth) |
| Bridge + tailpiece + locking studs | Master Kit “EZ” or “PLUS” USA/ABR-1 | Same as EZ or PLUS posts above |
Nashville owners: different page
If your Gibson has a Nashville bridge (not an ABR-1 sitting on bushings), do not use #3052 / #3117. Use the Nashville conversion path with NSWKIT™ “E-Z”, iNsert™ “Plus”, or BSWKIT™ “Pro” posts, as explained in How to Convert a Gibson Nashville Bridge to ABR-1 Style.
FAQ
What is different about an ABR-1 on a Gibson USA guitar?
The bridge itself is an ABR-1. The difference is the mount. Classic Original ABR-1 / wood-post setups (common on Custom Shop and historic-style guitars) use 6-32 threaded posts screwed into the wood with separate thumbwheels and no body bushing. Many Gibson USA ABR-1 guitars — Original Collection models since 2019, and some Gibson USA models from 2017–2019 — use metal bushings in the body, like a Nashville mount, with integrated post and thumbwheel units that screw into those bushings.
Will a Faber ABRH fit my factory bushing-style ABR-1 posts?
Yes. The Faber ABRH is a no-wire ABR-1 style bridge that sits on ABR-1 (6-32) posts. On a Gibson USA guitar with a bushing-mounted ABR-1 system, it can use your existing integrated posts and thumbwheels. It also works on Faber “EZ” or “PLUS” USA/ABR-1 conversion posts if you upgrade the posts later.
Do I need conversion posts for a Tone-Lock bridge on a Gibson USA ABR-1?
Yes. Factory bushing-style ABR-1 posts are unthreaded above the thumbwheel, so Tone-Lock lock nuts cannot clamp onto them. Install Faber “EZ” (#3052) or “PLUS” (#3117) USA/ABR-1 conversion posts, or buy a Tone-Lock Bridge or Master Kit that already includes those posts.
What is the difference between EZ and PLUS USA/ABR-1 conversion posts?
The “EZ” posts (#3052) are steel posts with integrated thumbwheels that screw into your existing body bushings with no modification. The “PLUS” posts (#3117) are German bell brass one-piece bushing/post units with separate thumbwheels; they replace the original bushings. Both provide threaded ABR-1 upper posts for a Tone-Lock bridge, an ABRH, or your original Gibson ABR-1.
Is this the same as converting a Nashville bridge to ABR-1?
No. This page is for Gibson USA guitars that already have an ABR-1 bridge on bushing-mounted posts. Nashville-to-ABR-1 conversion uses different posts (NSWKIT, iNsert, or BSWKIT) and is covered on the Nashville to ABR-1 conversion guide.