ABR-1 vs Nashville Tune-O-Matic
Vintage ABR-1 Guitar Bridge
The OG of electric guitar bridges. Released in 1953. Effectively replacing the wraparound stop bar and changing the intonation game forever. A staple of historic models.
- Flat, no radius
- Saddles are typically unnotched with a 2x4 orientation.
There are two main styles.
- Non-Wired - Popular with historic reissues. Saddles tend to fall out when not under string pressure.
- Wired - Often used onmodern models. The wired version conveniently retains the saddles in place even with out tight strings.
Typically mounted on threaded thumbwheel posts and separate thumbwheels for adjustment. The bridge posts are usually threaded directly into the guitar's body with no insert or anchor.
Nashville Tune-O-Matic Guitar Bridge
Also known as TOM. The protégé of the ABR-1 bridge. Released in 1975. Overcoming many issues of it's predecessor.
- Curved 12" radius to match the fretboard.
- Saddles are usually notched and face the same direction.
- No need for a retaining wire.
Typically mounted on smooth shafted bridge posts with built-in adjustable thumbwheels. Each post is screwed into anchor that has been pressed into the guitar's body.
