Guitar Bridge Posts Explained: Which Posts Your Tune-o-matic Needs
Guitar bridge posts are the threaded posts a Tune-o-matic bridge sits on. They set bridge height and carry string tension into the body. Most guitars use one of four setups: vintage-style ABR-1 6-32 posts threaded into the wood, posts in body bushings (Gibson USA/ABR-1, Nashville, Heritage, most Epiphones and the Epiphone Inspired By Gibson Custom), or 4mm posts mounted directly into the wood on many imports. Identify yours, then pick the Faber bridge that drops right on, or Faber conversion posts that upgrade the posts themselves.
Jump to: Identify your posts · Measure · Conversion posts · Quick summary · Match a Faber bridge · FAQ
What bridge posts do
Posts, bushings and thumbwheels
- Bridge post: the threaded post the bridge rests on.
- Bushing: a metal sleeve pressed into the body that the post threads into. Not every guitar has one.
- Thumbwheel: the round wheel that sets bridge height. It is either separate from the post or one piece with it.
Why posts come first
A bridge’s post holes and spacing are made for one post system. Know your posts and the right Faber bridge or kit is a one-step choice.
Identify your post system (30 seconds)
| What you see | Post system | Faber path |
|---|---|---|
| Small posts threaded straight into the wood, separate thumbwheels | Vintage-style Gibson ABR-1 (6-32) | ABRH bridge or Tone-Lock bridge for ABR-1; drops right on |
| ABR-1 bridge on posts in metal body bushings (2017+ Gibson USA) | Gibson USA/ABR-1 | E-Z #3052 or Plus #3117 USA/ABR-1 conversion posts, then ABRH or Tone-Lock |
| Wide bridge on one-piece post/thumbwheels in body bushings, screw slot on top | Gibson Nashville / Heritage with Schaller | Nashville & Schaller conversion posts (NSWKIT, iNsert or BSWKIT), then ABRN or Tone-Lock |
| One-piece post/thumbwheel in a large metal bushing, screw slot on top | Epiphone & imports, large bushing mounted | Epiphone conversion posts (ESWKIT or E-Sert), then ABRM or Tone-Lock |
| Thin 4mm posts threaded straight into the wood, separate thumbwheels | Imports, 4mm direct mounted | ABRM for direct mounted posts or Tone-Lock -IMP; drops right on |
| “Inspired By Gibson Custom” in the model name; 4mm posts in body bushings, separate thumbwheels | Epiphone IGC | ABRM (direct-mounted spec) drops on, or Tone-Lock -IBG with IBG-Sert posts included |
Not sure? Use the Faber parts Finder with your guitar’s year, make and model, see the Epiphone fit chart, or send us a photo.
How to measure your posts
Bushing or no bushing?
Look where the post meets the body. A metal sleeve around the post means a bushing. A screw slot on top usually means a one-piece post and thumbwheel.
Post diameter
Measure the threaded post above the thumbwheel with calipers. Vintage ABR-1 posts are 6-32; import and IGC posts are 4mm; on Gibson USA/ABR-1 the upper post is about 3.65 mm, with a lower section of about 5mm in the bushing.
Spacing
Measure center to center between the two posts. Full numbers for every system are coming in our size and spacing chart.
Drop-on bridge or conversion posts?
On vintage ABR-1 and 4mm direct-mounted posts, a Faber bridge drops right onto the posts you have. On bushing-mounted systems, Faber conversion posts replace the original posts so a Faber ABRN, ABRM or Tone-Lock bridge fits, with solid posts in place of the original zinc alloy. You can reuse your original thumbwheels with Faber E-Z, Plus and Pro conversion posts.
Gibson Nashville & Heritage with Schaller
Every ABRN install starts here. Choose E-Z NSWKIT (#3051, screws into the original bushings, no modifications), Plus iNsert (easy DIY install) or Pro BSWKIT (#3047, vintage look with steel posts; professional installation suggested). Compare all three on the Nashville & Schaller conversion post chooser.
Gibson USA/ABR-1 (2017+)
E-Z #3052 or Plus #3117 USA/ABR-1 conversion posts, then an ABRH or Tone-Lock bridge. More on the USA/ABR-1 guide.
Epiphone & imports with bushings
Large bushing mounted posts use M8 x 1.25 threads with a 4mm post: choose E-Z ESWKIT or Plus E-Sert on the Epiphone conversion post chooser. Epiphone Inspired By Gibson Custom guitars use IBG-Sert posts (#3118).
Custom Shop, Historics and new builds
- Extra Long ABR-1 (6-32) bridge posts, #3084-XL: for converting Custom Shop and Historic models, and for new builds.
- Faber ST bridge posts with thumbwheels (inch and metric): ST #3082 ABR-1 style (6-32) and ST #3087 metric (4mm). Replacements for Gibson and 4mm direct-mounted posts, and the right start for a new build.
- See everything in For New Builds & Kit Guitars.
Quick size summary
| System | Post | Mounting | Thumbwheel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vintage Gibson ABR-1 | 6-32 | Into wood | Separate |
| Gibson USA/ABR-1 | ~3.65 mm upper, ~5mm lower | Body bushing | Separate |
| Gibson Nashville / Heritage Schaller | Use Faber conversion posts | Body bushing | One piece with post |
| Epiphone large bushing | 4mm (M8 x 1.25 into bushing) | Body bushing | One piece with post |
| Imports, direct mounted | 4mm | Into wood | Separate |
| Epiphone IGC | 4mm | Body bushing | Separate |
Match a Faber bridge to your posts
- ABRH (#3023): Gibson ABR-1, vintage or USA/ABR-1 with conversion posts.
- ABRN: Gibson Nashville and Heritage, with NSWKIT, iNsert or BSWKIT conversion posts.
- ABRM (#3060): Epiphone and imports, direct mounted and IGC, or large bushing with ESWKIT/E-Sert.
- Tone-Lock bridge (#3031), part of the ABR-1/ABR-59 family and locks to its posts: versions for ABR-1, USA/ABR-1, Nashville/Heritage, Epiphone large bushing, direct-mounted imports (-IMP) and IGC (-IBG, IBG-Sert posts included).
Every Faber bridge ships with Pre-Notched saddles by default. More on replacement Tune-o-matic saddles, and the bridges themselves in bridge types explained and which bridge do I need.
Or get it all at once: Tone-Lock Master Kits
Master Kits pair the right bridge, posts, tailpiece and studs for your guitar. For Epiphone Inspired By Gibson Custom guitars, choose Master Kit #6063 or #6064, which include IBG-Sert posts.
Guitar bridge posts FAQ
What are guitar bridge posts?
The threaded posts a Tune-o-matic bridge sits on. They set bridge height with thumbwheels and carry string tension into the body.
What size are Tune-o-matic bridge posts?
Vintage Gibson ABR-1 posts are 6-32; Epiphone, IGC and most import posts are 4mm; Gibson USA/ABR-1 upper posts are about 3.65 mm. For Gibson Nashville and Heritage, use Faber NSWKIT, iNsert or BSWKIT conversion posts.
How do I know if my bridge posts are in bushings?
Look for a metal sleeve where the post meets the body. A screw slot on top usually means a one-piece post and thumbwheel in a bushing.
Do I need new bridge posts to install a Faber bridge?
On vintage ABR-1 and 4mm direct-mounted posts, the Faber bridge drops right on. On Nashville, Heritage, USA/ABR-1 and Epiphone large-bushing guitars, add Faber conversion posts first.
What’s the difference between E-Z, Plus and Pro conversion posts?
E-Z screws into your original bushings with no modifications. Plus replaces the insert for a solid, easy DIY install. Pro (BSWKIT) gives a vintage look with steel posts and separate thumbwheels; professional installation suggested.
Can I reuse my thumbwheels?
Yes. Original thumbwheels can be reused with Faber E-Z, Plus and Pro conversion posts. Need a replacement? See Tune-o-matic Thumbwheels.
What posts does an Epiphone Inspired By Gibson Custom use?
4mm posts screwed into body bushings with separate thumbwheels. The ABRM for direct-mounted posts drops on; the Tone-Lock -IBG bridge comes with IBG-Sert posts.
Which bridge posts are right for a new build?
Faber ST bridge posts with thumbwheels (#3082 6-32 or #3087 metric 4mm), or Extra Long ABR-1 (6-32) posts. Extra Long posts are also used to convert Gibson Custom Shop and Historic models.