After...or before? . I spent some time today restoring the original tremolo system and bridge to the 1961 #Gibson #LesPaul Junior. Notice this is not the "#Maestro" model #Vibrola (which I would have preferred!), but a similar looking variant with a few key differences like 1) the base is rectangular rather than u-shaped, 2) it doesn't say "Maestro" along the bridge side edge (that's a dead giveaway!), and most importantly 3) the strings do not top wrap, but go under the bridge. This means when you push down on the trem arm the pitch goes up rather than down like most of us are used to! It's very counterintuitive. . But that's not the main problem. The main problem is that darned lightning bolt bridge. Part of the issue with it is that the break angle/string tension is not enough to keep the high E string seated on the saddle when bending it. I guess I could file a deeper notch to fix that problem? The other other part of the issue is with the saddle compensated for a wound G, the G string intonation is absolutely atrocious. . Both problems could have been be mitigated somewhat had I chosen to use a string gauge heavier than .010s!! That was my bad...I should have known better. A fatter G string would improve intonation and thicker strings overall would create more tension and therefore more downward force on the bridge...this might have helped keep the E string on its saddle! But I wanted the slinky playabilty of 10s and didn't think ahead enough to anticipate the issues a thinner gauge would cause with this specific tailpiece and bridge because I have been playing it as a wraptail for several years. OH HUBRIS, THY NAME IS DeeBeeUs™! . At the moment I am contemplating whether I can live with it like this, or if I make some minor change(s) like upping the string gauge. Or should I just go back to it as a wraptail. I'd really like to keep it like this if I can make it work better...original is best! . Any and all advice from experienced friends and wellwishers is welcome! 😆 . . #gibsonlespaul #lespauljunior #sgjunior #gibsonsg #guitar #guitars #guitarra #chitarra #guitarre #electricguitar #vintageguitars #vintagegibson #gibsonguitars https://www.instagram.com/p/CD7JHtAh4LR/?igshid=17eukair56hj3
