Identifying the type of bridge system on your guitar is essential to knowing what Faber® bridges you can use with your guitar and if your guitar will require conversion studs to use a Faber® bridge. There are only a few guitar models that will not need conversion posts: Gibson® guitars with ABR-1 bridges, and imported guitars with 4mm bridge studs mounted directly into the wood.
Gibson® guitars with Nashville bridges, Heritage® guitars with Schaller bridges, and Epiphone®, Tokai, Ibanez and other imported guitars that use bridge posts which screw into bushings in the guitar body require conversion bridge studs to use Faber® bridges.
Furthermore, many other U.S.A. made guitar brands use imported parts. If the guitar uses threaded bushings for the bridge posts, it will require conversion posts. Some use Schaller parts and others use the same type asian parts used on Epiphone® and most other imports.
We invite you see our “Bridge Identification” page, which has photos and descriptions which will help you identify your bridge, and links to the proper category of all bridges and other parts that will work for your guitar.

Basically, without first discussing the bridge itself, the first clue is the type of height adjustment hardware you have. ABR-1 systems have threads along the entire length of the bridge post, with a separate thumbwheel which rides up and down the threads to adjust the bridge height. The bridge stud is mounted directly into the wood. Nashville systems have a combination one piece post and thumbwheel which screws into a threaded metal insert in the body. The combo bridge post/thumbwheel is threaded on the bottom only, and the bridge height adjustment is determined by how far the post/thumbwheel is screwed into the insert. There are no threads above the thumbwheel.
For someone familiar with both ABR-1 and Nashville Bridge System bridges, just seeing the bridge is all that is necessary.

We have three different models of ABR-1 style bridges (not including the Tone-Lock™ bridge), to suit almost every need, as follows:

ABRH: The ABRH bridge is designed as a “drop on” replacement for ABR-1 sized bridge posts. The Gibson® Historic series, early Les Paul Classics, and virtually all Gibson® guitars with a separate bridge prior to the introduction of the Nashville bridge, have ABR-1 (6-32) bridge posts. The diameter of the ABRH post holes is 3.65mm, post hole spacing is 73.6mm and the saddle radius is 12″.

ABRM: The ABRM bridge is a drop on replacement for many imported guitars using 4mm bridge posts with standard spacing of 2-29/32″ (73.82mm). This bridge can also be used when building a guitar using the BSWKIT for the bridge studs, using 2-29/32″ post spacing. The diameter of the ABRM post holes is 4.2mm and the saddle radius is 12″. You could also use this bridge after installing the Faber® E-Sert™ bridge posts, in most cases.

ABRN: The ABRN bridge is a drop on replacement for original Nashville bridge posts/thumbwheels, in most cases (see below). If your guitar has the original Nashville inserts and posts, this is the bridge you need. It is also the correct bridge for use with the Faber® BSWKIT, NSWKIT or iNsert when these parts are used in an original Nashville bridge equipped guitar. Post hole diameter is 4.35mm, post spacing is 74.4mm and the saddle radius is 12″. Note about NEW (post 2012) Gibson® guitars: We have found that some newer Gibson guitars use a bridge that looks like a typical Nashville bridge, but the diameter of the thumbwheel posts is larger (5mm). The ABRN bridge will not fit on those bridge posts. The only solution for those guitars is to replace the original bridge posts, either by using the Faber® NSWKIT, BSWKIT or iNsert.

The Tone-Lock™ Bridge is “universal,” because we provide a pair of the two most common sizes of locking collars with each bridge. As long as your guitar has either ABR-1 bridge posts (6-32 thread, as used on Gibson® Historics, early Classics, and most Gibson® guitars before the introduction of the Nashville bridge system) or 4mm bridge posts (many imports, and the Faber® BSWKIT/iNsert/NSWKIT or E-Sert™), the Tone-Lock™ Bridge will work for you. Guitars with the Nashville bridge system will need either the BSWKIT, NSWKIT or iNsert to use the Tone-Lock™ Bridge. Bacchus guitars have non standard thread pitch on their 4mm bridge posts, so they cannot use the Tone-Lock™ bridge. Most Epiphone, and many other non USA made guitars using the same bridge system, can use the Faber® E-Sert™ to enable the installation of the Tone-Lock™ bridge.reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

The “INCH” or “METRIC” designation for the MASTER KIT applies strictly to the type of TAILPIECE STUDS on your guitar and has nothing to do with the bridge. Generally, if your guitar is made in the U.S.A., you will need an “INCH” kit. The Tone-Lock™ MASTER KIT includes Tone-Lock™ studs/spacers, a TP-59 tailpiece, and a Tone-Lock™ Bridge. Basically, you choose between the INCH and METRIC KITS, depending upon the criteria listed under the FAQ item, “Explaining the INCH and MERTIC Designations.”

For guitars with Nashville bridge systems, you must convert your bridges studs to Faber® in order to use the Tone-Lock™ Bridge. This is true, because the lock nuts used by the bridge need to have threaded posts to lock onto. If you don’t intend to use a Faber® Tone-Lock Bridge, it is not an absolute requirement to convert your bridge studs. You can use the Faber® ABRN model bridge with your existing Nashville bridge system.
If you do plan on using a Faber® Tone-Lock bridge, or are just interested in replacing the tone-robbing alloy Nashville body inserts with sustain enhancing German steel, there are two Faber® bridge conversion posts you can use for that purpose: BSWKIT™ or iNsert™. There is a third choice, with the Faber® NSWKIT™, as well. You can use the latter if you would like to use a Faber® Tone-Lock™ bridge or ABRN bridge without making any modifications to your guitar. Use the following list as a guide to determine which of the three types of Faber® Bridge posts to fit your particular circumstances.

• • Faber® BSWKIT™: The BSWKIT™ is the most difficult of all Faber® Bridge Studs to install, but it is also the most desirable from the standpoint of maximum sustain and the vintage look. In order to install the BSWKIT™, the exitisting Nashville body inserts need to be removed (a 5mm bolt is included for easy removal of the inserts) and the holes in the body need to be tapped using an 8M x 1.25 metric tap. It is important that the new threads are tapped perfectly straight. Most problem BSWKIT™ installations are caused by tapping and installing the BSWKIT™ crooked. Another thing that can cause problems is warpage of the guitar body. If the body is warped, even if the BSWKIT™ kit is installed perfectly straight, the posts themselves can either point inward or outward at the tops. You can determine if the body is warped by laying a perfect straigtedge across the back of the guitar at its widest point. If there is space under the middle of the straightedge, most likely the tops of the bridge studs will be further apart than they should be. If there are spaces at the ends of the straightedge, most likely the tops of the bridge posts will be closer together than they should be. This warpage can be compensated for by a skilled technician, so we recommend that the BSWKIT™ only be installed by persons with the skills necessary to complete the project successfully. People sometimes say, “My Nashville fits properly, but not after installation of the BSWKIT™.” This can very well be the case, because the Nashville sytem is designed to compensate for a lot of different problems, such as warpage and slightly out of spec placement of the inserts. The post holes of a Nashville bridge are conical: larger diameter at the bottom than at the top. It is a “sloppy” system by design to compensate for some of the irregularities mentioned. Please note that Faber® Germany and/or FaberUSA cannot be held responsible for any damages caused by installation of the BSWKIT™
  • Faber® iNsert™: The iNsert is a much easier installation, providing virtually the same sustain benefits as the BSWKIT™, without the vintage look. A 5mm bolt is included to easily remove the existing inserts (simply screw the 5mm bold into the insert until the insert rises out of the body), and a plastic installation tool is provided to install the Faber® iNsert™ (see the installation video when viewing the product, or under the “HOW-TO Videos” menu tab). Care must be taken prior to installation to determine that the depth of the holes in the body are deep enough so that the iNsert™ will fit flush to the body when installed. Also, we recommend checking for warpage of the body before ordering and installing the iNsert™. Unlike the BSWKIT™, there is no way to compensate for warpage with the iNsert™. Usually, however, slight warpage doesn’t present a problem and the vast majority of iNsert™ installations are successful. Can the iNsert™ be removed to revert back to the original Nashville inserts? Yes, but, depending upon how tight the iNsert™ is in the body, it can be easy or more difficult. Most times, the iNsert™ fits snug, but is not overly tight, and can be removed by hand just by screwing on a thumbwheel for grip and pulling straight up. If the iNsert™ is too tight for that procedure, the best and safest way to remove it is using a puller, such as the Schatten Design stud puller. That is what we use. If no such puller is available, it is possible to remove the iNsert™ by screwing on a thumbwheel and using a pair of pliers or Vise grips on the thumbwheel and pulling straight up. Please note that this procedure will likely mar the thumbwheel. Faber® Germany and/or FaberUSA cannot be held liable for any damages caused by installation or removal of the iNsert™.
  • Faber® NSWKIT™: This replacement bridge post is straightforward and requires no modifications to your guitar. While any tone enhancement is minimal from this part (it is made from the finest German steel, as opposed to the original Nashville zinc alloy posts, so some benefit will be noticeable), it will allow the use the original Nashville bridge, or the Faber® Tone-Lock™ or ABRN bridges.

For most Epiphone guitars and many other non USA made guitars using a bridge system with large body inserts 

we have the Faber® E-Sert and ESWKIT™, the former of which is very much like the Faber® iNsert™, and the latter very much like the NSWKIT for Nashville conversions. All information about the Faber® iNsert™ applies to the selection, removal, installation and other considerations listed for the iNsert™, above. Please see the E-Sert™ product description for an image of the type of bridge system the E-Sert is intended to replace.

Non Pre-Notched Saddles

Faber® installs saddles with small “starter” notches dead center as standard because they believe this is the best overall solution for the majority of applications. Generally, it is a myth that strings must be directly over the center of a pickup’s pole pieces. In fact, Faber® maintains it is virtually impossible to hear any difference in tone or volume whether the string passes directly over the center of a pole piece, or near the ends of the pole pieces. However, to accommodate those who, for whatever reason, would rather cut their own saddles notches, FaberUSA will install unnotched saddles on any Faber® bridge. The option, “Non Pre-Notched” Saddles Option” is available on the product details page of all bridges.

How to order bridges with Non Pre-Notched saddles:

• For all bridges, you must choose the Finish color (i.e., Gloss Nickel) and the Saddle Type (i.e., nickel plated brass)
• If you want the bridge with the standard, pre-notched saddles, simply add the bridge to the cart and you’re done
• If you would rather have the saddles without notches, click the dropdown box below “Non Pre-Notched Saddles Option” and click on “Non Pre-Notched Saddles Option – $10” so that it appears as the selection in the dropdown box
• Simply click the “ADD TO CART” button and you are done
• Please note that bridges to be converted to non pre-notched saddles may delay shipment of the entire order for 1-2 days

The Faber® HYBRIDge™ Option :

The Faber® HYBRIDge™ Option takes guitar bridges to the next level! While a bridge with all titanium saddles is a great option for some guitars, the HYBRIDge™ will dramatically improve virtually ANY guitar. How? By using titanium saddles for the wound E-A-D strings. Titanium removes all the muddiness from the wound strings, and makes those strings sound much cleaner, clearer and more articulate than brass saddles. More balanced and focused. The HYBRIDge™ is used exclusively on the premium Corsa Manalishi guitars. Many sound clips of the HYBRIDge™ can be heard on the Corsa Guitars website.

How to order bridges with the HYBRIDge™ Option:

• Use the same procedure as described above, first selecting the Finish color and Saddle Type
• Select or bypass the “Non Pre-Notched Saddles Option”
• Click the dropdown box below “HYBRIDge™ Option” and click on “HYBRIDge™ Option – $23” so that it appears as the selection in the dropdown box
• Simply click the “ADD TO CART” button and you are done
• Please note that bridges to be converted to Non Pre-Notched Saddles and/or the HYBRODge™ Option may delay shipment of the entire order for 1-2 days

We have found virtually no difference in tone between the natural brass and the nickel plated brass saddles. Titanium, however, produces a much brighter tone than brass. For guitars that are too dark sounding, titanium saddles are the way to go. Obviously, if your guitar sounds bright with brass saddles, we would not recommend a switch to titanium. On the other hand, we have found that virtually all guitars will find benefit using titatnium for the wound strings. Of course, those strings will sound brighter than normal with titanium, but the difference in clarity using titanium saddles is remarkable. Any “muddiness” is gone and clear, articulate tones are easily noticeable. That is the reason Faber® invented the HYBRIDge™. If you already have a Faber® bridge with brass saddles, titanium saddles (with or without starter notches) are available for you to retrofit to your bridge.