Compton Bridges

[Jonesie]

I just got two of these, one for my Silvertone 1446 and another for my Yamaha Studio Lord, and all I can say is that they're some incredible pieces of hardware. I went with aluminum for both.

Anyone else here use them?

[pacemaker]

Use them, love them; recommend them ad infinitum. I'm down to three electric guitars right now, and they're all set up with aluminum Comptons. It's an all-around elegant solution.

I've seen posts where folks have talked about using them on offsets, Bigsby-equipped Teles etc, but I can't seem to locate any photos right now...

[WonderCouncil]

I'm planning on picking up two fairly soon. One will be for a custom Jag-Stang rethought project, with a Jag/Jazz trem setup. The other is for my Ibanez AXF-74 hollow body. I haven't decided on what material I want to go with but am leaning heavily towards aluminum, especially for the hollow body.

I really do love the simplicity of them and the idea of a single solid hunk of metal for a bridge is very appealing. By all accounts they are fabulous and really improve/change the tone. Seems all the experiences on this board would agree with that too.

Here are a few offsets I know of that feature Compton bridges. Perhaps the ones you were thinking of pacemaker?
http://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/vie ... =8&t=61989


http://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/vie ... =7&t=77679


http://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/vie ... hp?t=29775


http://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/vie ... &start=225
This is the definition of elegant.


http://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/vie ... &start=120


I apologize if this is too many pictures. Or is that even possible? Don't mean to hijack.

[Telliot]

With pacemaker's encouragement, I bought an aluminum Compton for my old DuoJet. It was perfect and I dearly miss that guitar.

[rkharper]

yepps, Tele-Compton-User here! have a B16 Equipped Partscaster, and the original Bridge didnt do it for me (is made for a wounded G-String). So I had to carve a new Baseplate for the Compton Bridge:



perfect solution!!!

[antisymmetric]

I don't have an actual Compton, but I whipped up my own version in a hurry and without the finesse of the real thing just as a test. Huge improvement in tone and I'd never go back. My JM build (when it happens) will go this way for sure.

[pacemaker]

That first photo you posted is exactly the one I was thinking of, WonderCouncil. Looks really nice on the Mustang bridge plate.

[fresh1megpots]

Does it go without saying that the intonation is fixed? So many replacement bridges also try and solve the issue of strings moving around - how does this work with the strings moving off of their "saddle" on an offset?

I understand the idea that the solid mass bridge would have an effect on the tone, I guess i am just wondering how practical this would be for a JM.

[antisymmetric]

^^Not sure if this answers your question, but I set mine up to work with the rocking posts just like the original offset-style bridge. So no movement of strings in the saddles.

[mackerelmint]

The lack of any intonation adjustability troubles me, and yet I really want to try one of these. The fact that he asks for measurements offers some comfort, but what if I got those wrong? And I don't have any idea which material would be best for me... I want someone to hold my hand through this if and when I eventually do.

[fresh1megpots]

That makes sense antisymmetric - thanks. I was thinking more about the string moving out of the saddles in the other direction. I am thinking someone with a heavy hand ( me? ) might knock the low e out of its saddle groove altogether.

[wproffitt]

I was just about to get back to watching the Alabama game when I saw this post. The photo of the black JM with he compton posted above is mine and I've been very happy with it. As to a couple of questions in earlier posts, here goes:
1) intonation: it's improved the intonation on my CP JM, believe it or not. The low E was always sharp at the 1th fret before but that's all in the past now. The g string is only the tiniest bit off and I can live with this as the E string used to bother me when I would use it as a drone against notes on other strings. Hooray!
2) if you are ordering for a guitar with bridge posts that are 1/4 inch, as on a TOM bridge, you'll need to specify that she you order.
3) bridge material: I've got aluminum on my Yamaha SA 30t and it's twangy and has increased sustain. I've got stainless on my JM and it cleared up the sound of the instrument without adding anything harsh. "Crisp" is the word that comes to mind.
4) I've never had a problem with strings jumping out of their slots when I play hard, but I don't play hardcore anymore

They're great. I live mine. Also, they're very reasonably priced for a custom product and Wayne's turnaround time is great.

[Fenderguy]

I ordered a Compton bridge for a Gretsch Roundup RI I had before. It was a really good improvement imo. The radius and all was spot on.

[Jumpchamp]

i picked one up for my thinline JM build, extremely excited about it! i'll post my impressions when it's up and running

[Jonesie]

The lack of any intonation adjustability troubles me, and yet I really want to try one of these. The fact that he asks for measurements offers some comfort, but what if I got those wrong? And I don't have any idea which material would be best for me... I want someone to hold my hand through this if and when I eventually do.

It actually works great on my Yamaha Studio Lord, which has a fixed bridge. The intonation is pretty much spot on (the low E is a SMIDGE out, but no one will notice it unless I start playing big ole' open G chords an octave up on the neck).

It depends on the guitar, what material you want. I like the Aluminum, personally. It's twangy. Steel has the twang + more low end, Brass has more mids and low end with less highs, and honestly, from the clips I've heard, copper just sounds weird. It seems super scooped.