Need some advice on AM66 bridge repla...

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Author Message Artfield Username: Artfield Registered: 04-2001 Posted on Sunday, June 19, 2005 - 7:04 am:    fooks i like my Ibanez AM66 very much, its a perfect axe for travelling.Only i'mn't happy about this bridge system which is different than the gibraltars they use with the more exspensive AM series... lucky....i found a gibraltar II chrome set and the tailpiece with the studs... so ready to mod.... my questions: 1. what do you think about the mod ? 2. will the sound chance ? personally i think it will improve the guitar , cosmetic wise it also will look better. its an easy job for my luthier, he told me. i have tried a schaller replacement bridge but i had to put it so low that if i would break a string during a show i had to remove the whole bridge. any thoughts ? Acetan Username: Acetan Registered: 09-2003 Posted on Sunday, June 19, 2005 - 12:25 pm:    My understanding is that the production number for AM66's is very low. The modifications will no doubt affect its value. As a travel guitar, have you tried an AM300 or AM400? Ace Funkle Username: Funkle Registered: 12-2001 Posted on Sunday, June 19, 2005 - 3:14 pm:    Artfield, I would encourage you to try to find a solution that does not involve any any permanant modifications to this guitar itself. This one is to rare! In fact, I would look into having custom studs machined if need be to allow the use of an aftermarket bridge. What is the stud spacing? I would strongly recommend a TonePros AVT2 wraparound bridge if it will fit. It is a beautiful bridge, and the improvement in tone and sustain was massive in my experience. http://www.tonepros.com/Products.htm Ibanez own shortstop II is an excellent bridge as well. I will check the stud spacing. Both of these bridges are compact and sleek looking, and more importantly, the saddles (and bridge in the case of the AVT2) lock down, improving tone and sustain. The more solidly the bridge is coupled with the body, the more the string vibrations will be transmitted to the wood. There is a very audible improvement. The tone is richer and more solid. -Sven Artfield Username: Artfield Registered: 04-2001 Posted on Sunday, June 19, 2005 - 5:26 pm:    thanks Acetan and Funkle, really appreciate your wisdom. Although i have a complete Gibraltar II chrome set laying around..i will wait abit and see what kind of other solutions are available, Funkle your TP AVT2 tip is very good. Acetan i'm aware of the uniqueness of this guitar..and even i as a serious modder don't want to drill holes ... so maybe i just wait a bit. thanks guys !! Mr_roadstar Username: Mr_roadstar Registered: 06-2002 Posted on Sunday, June 19, 2005 - 11:00 pm:    A Schaller 455 or 456 is a direct replacement. http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_tailpieces/Electric_guitar,_non-trem_bridge s/Schaller_Bridge_Tailpiece.html http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_tailpieces/Electric_guitar,_non-trem_bridge s/Schaller_Bridges_with_Fine_Tuner_Tailpiece.html Steve Artfield Username: Artfield Registered: 04-2001 Posted on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 6:10 am:    he steve guess what i bought a 455 schaller bridge, it was a complete failure.....first we had to adjust the bridge to get it fit in the studs.....than the bridge was so low that i could changes the strings separate....unworkable....the 456 would have been a better option but this fine tuner system i don't like....so no schaller for me. at the moment i leave it like it is....if it gets too much in the way the orginal(tuning etc, etc). i have the Gibraltar II chrome set ready for replacement. Funkle Username: Funkle Registered: 12-2001 Posted on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 9:00 am:    Artfield, the Gibralter II is part of a 2 piece system. You would have to drill holes in the top to install the stop tailpiece. Why not try to use one of the wraparound bridge options first? It would be an easier install, and this extremely rare guitar would be left intact. They work really will and sound great. -Sven Acetan Username: Acetan Registered: 09-2003 Posted on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 4:15 pm:    May be you can use the Gibralter bridge but use a tail piece like this, avoiding to have to drill holes on the top. Ace Artfield Username: Artfield Registered: 04-2001 Posted on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 7:24 pm:    guys love you......thanks for all the tips.... as i told you i'mn't a fan of drilling in a Real Collector so for now everything stays as it is... by the way the original bridge space it to wide for a gibraltar II bridge. thanks you guys !!!! 2 real ICW members Funkle and Acetan !!! Funkle Username: Funkle Registered: 12-2001 Posted on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 8:04 pm:    "guys love you......thanks for all the tips...." That's because we don't want you turning your AM66 into swiss cheese I think that trapize would look a little funny on the AM. And the length could be all wrong, because the AM has a shorter body. -Sven Mr_roadstar Username: Mr_roadstar Registered: 06-2002 Posted on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 - 11:17 pm:    I am suprised! I have a Schaller 455 that dropped right in my RS1400 in place of the original ShortStop. I agree that string changes are more difficult, but otherwise it worked just fine. It was only on the guitar for a short time. Captain Ibanez found an NOS ShortStop for me shortly after I installed it. Steve

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