Compton Compenstaed Bridges

I've recently installed a Compton aluminum compensated bridge on my '04 SSLVO and it's a bargain at 10 times the selling price of $30. I had my guitar Pleked about a year ago because it was buzzing so much and got rid of the dreaded "humped fretboard". I still had to chase down some buzzing and tried every TOM style bridge that's out there including Tone Pros locking bridge. Did the super glue thing, did the silicone thing, did the plumbers tape around the studs thing. Still had to keep the action high so that the inner strings wouldn't buzz. The problem is that when the action is set at the E strings, the inner 4 strings are too low.

After reading about the subject at various Gretsch forums, the Compton bridge received universal acclaim by all that tried it. Why would a guitar manufacturer build into its product such a flaw as the mismatched fretboard to bridge radius? The results are mindblowing - and for THIRTY BUCKS! The correct 9.5 radius bridge immediately solved the problem. Some here have claimed that it's no big deal. I'm here to tell you that IT IS !

Between the Plek setup and the Compton bridge I'd put my SSLVO up against any Gretsch in the world as far as action, playability, intonation, sustain, tone and buzz/rattle free operation.

I've read the posts here regarding the subject and everyone has their own opinion and that's fine. I'm really quite shocked though that there isn't any real discussion about these bridges here. My guess is because no one sells them other than the guy who makes them by hand.

If you want fact regarding bridge and fret buzz, do yourself a huge favor. Go to the different Gretsch forums, read what users say about this inexpensive yet massive upgrade and then head on over to:

http://www.comptonbridges.com/home

and spend the best money you'll ever spend on your Gretsch.

I'm riding the fence on the Compton versus the tru-arc.. the fretboard curve isnt an issue on pre 04 gretsch guits and strangely I prefer my
12" radius because it doesnt feel like my strat and my tele's 9.5 radius.
More space for travis picking and inside chording for me.

I would like more sustain and use to go back and forth between the rockin bar and the abr-1. then I went to tonepros with drilled alum saddles..then
renovated my original ABR-1 because TVjones told me setzer went back to
his with the brass saddles.
..but those tru-arcs look sexy and if I can have the zing of aluminum and sustain of a chromed bass bar bridge...with proper intonation.
that would be worth all...

I have an aluminium Tru-Arc on my SSLVO and it really makes the guitar chime. Very Twangy but never harsh!

Guitarmaniac wrote:

I have an aluminium Tru-Arc on my SSLVO and it really makes the guitar chime. Very Twangy but never harsh!

I like that you understand the "harsh" thing because its true of aluminum.
Sometimes it resonates in strange overtones that dont jive on certain places of the neck, thats why I dumped my "drilled aluminum" saddles.
I think tru-arcs would really really benefit a duojet.

I just put on a Compton bridge on my Setzer Signature SSLVO, and my 5120 Pinstripe.... the sound is much better and the sustain is incredible. If I had to make a suggestion to which type of metal the bridge should be made of, I would say ... for the SSLVO get the brass bridge, because the trestle bracing tends to overly brighten the guitar and the brass bridge will add a bit of fatness, as well as a ton of sustain... for a 5120, or soundpost braced guitar, the sound is typically deeper in tone, I would suggest the aluminum or stainless steel bridge, the aluminum will brighten the sound the most, and the stainless steel will brighten it a bit... both will add tons of sustain.

Also when using a Bigsby with a Compton Bridge, something is added... I can't quite put my finger on it , other than to say it adds Dimension, you can hear the "Tone" of the Bigsby, and it sounds great. Play your favorite Bigsby song... you know the one you have played a thousand times, then try it with a Compton Bridge, you won't believe the nuances that you'll hear.

In my book, the Compton Bridges are incredible! I have nothing bad to say about them. You will hear the difference, and you will like the difference. You will also solve the fretboard radius vs. bridge radius problem without even having to cut a single slot, and the string spacing at the bridge is correctly spaced. Pretty amazing for a " Drop-on Part ". For $30, this is the best single upgrade you can add to your guitar!

Daddy_O

Daddy_O wrote:

I just put on a Compton bridge on my Setzer Signature SSLVO, and my 5120 Pinstripe.... the sound is much better and the sustain is incredible. If I had to make a suggestion to which type of metal the bridge should be made of, I would say ... for the SSLVO get the brass bridge, because the trestle bracing tends to overly brighten the guitar and the brass bridge will add a bit of fatness, as well as a ton of sustain... for a 5120, or soundpost braced guitar, the sound is typically deeper in tone, I would suggest the aluminum or stainless steel bridge, the aluminum will brighten the sound the most, and the stainless steel will brighten it a bit... both will add tons of sustain.

Also when using a Bigsby with a Compton Bridge, something is added... I can't quite put my finger on it , other than to say it adds Dimension, you can hear the "Tone" of the Bigsby, and it sounds great. Play your favorite Bigsby song... you know the one you have played a thousand times, then try it with a Compton Bridge, you won't believe the nuances that you'll hear.

In my book, the Compton Bridges are incredible! I have nothing bad to say about them. You will hear the difference, and you will like the difference. You will also solve the fretboard radius vs. bridge radius problem without even having to cut a single slot, and the string spacing at the bridge is correctly spaced. Pretty amazing for a " Drop-on Part ". For $30, this is the best single upgrade you can add to your guitar!

Daddy_O

Intonation is everything to me and "good enough for rock n roll" will never do.. how well did they dial that
in.. even acoustic guitars drive me nuttso.. So far my superglue'd ABR-1 is doin it well..

again why compton and not tru-arc? seems like Glendale tele saddles vs. callaham

again why compton and not tru-arc? seems like Glendale tele saddles vs. callaham

The full and correct name is "Compton Compensated Bridge". The "compensated" portion helps answer that question. The Tru-Arc is a fine bar bridge, taking you a further step away from your "Intonation is everything to me " preference.

I obviously agree 100% with Daddy_O and will take his advice and order up a brass bridge.

BSO_Rocks wrote:

again why compton and not tru-arc? seems like Glendale tele saddles vs. callaham

The full and correct name is "Compton Compensated Bridge". The "compensated" portion helps answer that question. The Tru-Arc is a fine bar bridge, taking you a further step away from your "Intonation is everything to me " preference.

I obviously agree 100% with Daddy_O and will take his advice and order up a brass bridge.

I just wanted to know if "compensated" really means what it says as
I have used compensated acoustic saddles only to have to Re-compensate them to the accuracy I need. Cant help it being
that i use a peterson strobe tuner

Nothing beats a Tune-O-Matic for accurate intonation adjustment. Nothing is worse than a straight bar bridge, such as the Tru-Arc. The Compton compensated bridge is a pretty damn good compromise, but not perfect as far as intonation is concerned. With the additional benefits that it offers though, I feel that it's well worth the price.

BSO_Rocks wrote:

Nothing beats a Tune-O-Matic for accurate intonation adjustment. Nothing is worse than a straight bar bridge, such as the Tru-Arc. The Compton compensated bridge is a pretty damn good compromise, but not perfect as far as intonation is concerned. With the additional benefits that it offers though, I feel that it's well worth the price.

thats the good word I needed to hear, cuz I've been through every bridge
imaginable and ended up back with the tried n true setzer app.. but
I'm still always looking for a new way to do the vintage better.

I've been reading on the GDP that the Compton is not really compensating, more like alibi compensating. Have to look for it...

BSO_Rocks wrote:

Nothing is worse than a straight bar bridge, such as the Tru-Arc. The Compton compensated bridge is a pretty damn good compromise, but not perfect as far as intonation is concerned.

Hang on - the Compton bridge is a straight bar - it has been designed to fit onto fixed studs and avoid an angle to bridge - the designer wanted the bridge to be parallel with the pickups because he didn't like the look of the angled bridge - it isn't compensated for intonation (like a Bigsby bridge) so its just a different take on the straight rocking bar bridge.

Have a look at the Compton web-site here for more details and photos of these bridges.

I have no problem with the Compton bridge (and it is significantly cheaper than the Tru-Arc) but I feel it needs to be made clear to the guys here that are considering them that both bridge designs are straight bars.

jonhope wrote:

BSO_Rocks wrote:

Nothing is worse than a straight bar bridge, such as the Tru-Arc. The Compton compensated bridge is a pretty damn good compromise, but not perfect as far as intonation is concerned.

Hang on - the Compton bridge is a straight bar - it has been designed to fit onto fixed studs and avoid an angle to bridge - the designer wanted the bridge to be parallel with the pickups because he didn't like the look of the angled bridge - it isn't compensated for intonation (like a Bigsby bridge) so its just a different take on the straight rocking bar bridge.

Have a look at the Compton web-site here for more details and photos of these bridges.

I have no problem with the Compton bridge (and it is significantly cheaper than the Tru-Arc) but I feel it needs to be made clear to the guys here that are considering them that both bridge designs are straight bars.

I just took a look at the sight now... "compensated" is always a relative term..ha... and I think that'd be best on a duojet..and titanium would need to happen. Still gonna get one for fun
though. The price is crazy cheap..even my wholesale price on bar bridges isnt that cheap.

Try one TV. Let us know what you think.