MIK AR300 bridge question

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Author Message   Markmann Username: Markmann Registered: 08-2005 Posted on Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 3:16 pm:    Hi all, I'm new the the forum but a long time Ibanez player. I recently bought a new AR300 and I have a question about the bridge. I really like the quick change tail piece but the bridge seems to be the weak link on this guitar. Are any of the other TOM style Ibanez bridges a direct replacement for the one I have? I've checked out some of the aftermarket bridges available and it seems that the hole spacing on my brige bolts are not common. Will one of the Gibraalter's fit? Thanks, Mark   Funkle Username: Funkle Registered: 12-2001 Posted on Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 11:45 am:    The stock TOM bridge is definitely a weak point. In my experience, a locking bridge will greatly improve tone and stability. I accidentally discovered this after changing strings on my AM200. The sound was sloppy and tone was weak. I realized I had not tightened down the locking posts on the GII bridge. Once I tightened them, the tone and sustain came back to what I remembered it being. The easiest approach would be to install a tonepros locking TOM, if the stud spacing matches. The next level would be to install a Gibraltar II. The posts on the GII are a larger diameter, so you'd need to drill larger holes. I've considered doing this with my AM300. The GII doesn't seem to be available in chrome anymore, only gold. Or you could try to put on a Gibraltar III. New holes would have to be drilled. It would give the guitar a more modern, modified look. In drilling larger holes, you'd have to consider the possibility that this guitar may be collectable someday, and any permanent mods would be bad. -Sven   Markmann Username: Markmann Registered: 08-2005 Posted on Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 3:16 pm:    Thanks for the info, Sven. I checked out the Tone Pros and a bunch of others and unfortunately I have not found one to match the 2.900 hole spread that my bridge has. I really would rather put an Ibanez bridge on if possible to keep as much Ibanez vibe as I can if that makes any sense. Also, the insert in the guitar has 8mm thread. Is there any information available like a spec sheet for the Gibralter II or III? I don't know what the difference is between the two or how to get one. I'm not to worried about collectability at this point. If I can do reversable mod's I will but this guitar is going to be a player so I want to do whatever mod's I need to in order to get it top notch.   Johns Username: Johns Registered: 02-2001 Posted on Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 3:22 pm:    Markmann: Have you checked out Gotoh replacement bridges?   Funkle Username: Funkle Registered: 12-2001 Posted on Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 6:01 pm:    Here is some info on the GII: http://www.ibanezrules.com/catalogs/us/1986/p33.jpg http://www.ibanez.com/parts/2000_PARTS/El-Guitar/PARTS-PICT/2GR1JG2.htm#2GR1JG2G As you can see, the individual saddles have lock screws, and the posts lock as well. It will be a big improvement - clearer more articulate tone and more sustain, and the bridge won't fall off when you remove strings. I measured one of mine, and the stud spacing is exactly 3 inches. The studs are 1/2" in dia. You should be able to measure yours and see if when you drill for the new studs, it will completely overlap the old holes. You can try to order one from an Ibanez dealer. Part number: 2GR1JG2C. Or you can watch eBay. As for the GIII, I don't know the stud spacing. Maybe John can measure his SZ520? Regarding Gotoh bridges, I don't think they make anything that will be a real improvement over your full-tune TOM (tun-o-matic), which may be made by Gotoh. If you want to upgrade, a locking bridge is THE way to go. The improvement in sound is huge.   Funkle Username: Funkle Registered: 12-2001 Posted on Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 6:03 pm:    Another thought, you could probably install some TonePros locking studs and keep your existing bridge. This would be a half-way solution, but would still be an improvement. -Sven   Funkle Username: Funkle Registered: 12-2001 Posted on Thursday, September 01, 2005 - 10:25 pm:    Mark, Tonepros has a bridge that is "coming soon" with a 2.900" stud spacing. The other models are very close: 2.913 & 2.930 - are you sure these will not fit your guitar? Check the cut sheet: http://www.tonepros.com/TonePros%20Specs.pdf -Sven   Markmann Username: Markmann Registered: 08-2005 Posted on Friday, September 02, 2005 - 7:47 am:    John, yeah, I checked out the Gotoh's and I'm quite sure that the .019 difference between the hole centers is too much. The threads in my bushings are sloppy but not that sloppy. Also, like Sven mentioned I'm not sure that I'd gain anything by going with the Gotoh over what I have now. If I replace the bridge I'd like it to be a clear improvement. Thanks, Mark   Markmann Username: Markmann Registered: 08-2005 Posted on Friday, September 02, 2005 - 8:02 am:    Sven, you are absolutely correct, I checked out the spec sheet for the upcoming ABR replacement bridge from Tone Pros and it will have a 2.900 spacing. I still have a problem though because the stud hole in the new bridge is .175 and my stud has a .235 dia. I suppose I could try to use the mating Tone Pros bushing but I don't know if it's swappable with mine. If it's not I suspect I'll have to consider re-drilling the bushing holes for a larger size. If that's the case I'll look for either a Gibralter or current Tone Pros madel that I can retro-fit because I'm not real keen on the ABR style. Is there such a thing as a current model Gibralter in chrome? I know they made one for one of the vintage models... AR50 perhaps?.   Markmann Username: Markmann Registered: 08-2005 Posted on Friday, September 02, 2005 - 8:13 am:    One other thought... depending on hole spacings and bushing size of the bridge AND tailpiece and if it's possible to redrill to make this happen, I could go one step further and convert to gold. If I did that I could have the cloud as well. I know I'd end up spending extra money but I'd still be ahead of the game compared to "other" guitars with similar construction. I would end up with sort of an Artist "hybrid?" I would have to think hard about that one.   Funkle Username: Funkle Registered: 12-2001 Posted on Friday, September 02, 2005 - 11:52 am:    "Is there such a thing as a current model Gibralter in chrome? I know they made one for one of the vintage models... AR50 perhaps?." None of the current models have chrome Gibralter IIs, but Ibanez still lists Part number 2GR1JG2C in the 2000 parts section. Please see my link above. Whether or not it's actually available is another question. The only way to find out is to get on the horn with a GOOD Ibanez dealer and have them try to order it. By good, I mean one that is willing to spend the time contacting Ibanez - Guitar Center is not one of those places - I tried to order this vary bridge myself, and they said it wasn't in their computer system, so they couldn't order it. What do the posts on your bridge look like? If they're the skinny ones, maybe the Tone Pros AVR would slip right onto the existing ones. Otherwise, you may have to install new studs. -Sven   Markmann Username: Markmann Registered: 08-2005 Posted on Friday, September 02, 2005 - 3:26 pm:    My posts are .265 dia on top and 8mm threads on the bottom and I don't know if that's large or small or somewhere in between. I have a feeling the studs will have to go. The dealer where I bought my Artist is very good and will look it up and order it if it's available. Thanks, Mark

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