On the old style Growlers with dual switches with old style bridge. Is the back of the bridge supposed to be flush with bass body or is it raised a bit at the back. Ive seen these where the bridge isn't flush all the way.
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Old Tobias Growler bridge question
- Thread starter scubaduba
- Start date
The bridge on my 97 Tobias Growler does not lie flat. Indeed, it does not look like was designed to, or is supposed to, lie flat.
<><Peace
<><Peace
So is it just the back section that isn't flush with the bass body correct? Is it like just a couple millimeters off the body?
By the way, how do you like your Growler?
By the way, how do you like your Growler?
A year ago I had a TB'ers Growler here for a few weeks before I forwarded his shipping overseas, and I noticed the bridge was lifting on that one as well. Looks like they used a thin casting.
That's the thing. The casing isn't thin. It's almost like the bridges are designed to be raised at the very back. At least on the older Growlers 97 and earlier.
I have one and the bridge is flat. I know this is a Gibson model, but you might send Michael Tobias an email. I'm not sure of his involvement with that design. But if he is involved at all he will give you an answer
I have the style with the 2 switches:
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Here is a shot of my bridge
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I don't think that it is really raised at all. If anything, I would have to say the curve on the body isn't making it flush on the left side (Low B).
Is this what you are talking about?
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Here is a shot of my bridge
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I don't think that it is really raised at all. If anything, I would have to say the curve on the body isn't making it flush on the left side (Low B).
Is this what you are talking about?
Hmmm....had to go look for myself.
Mine is SN #8087 (never bothered to find out what date that would be) and indeed the rear corner under the E string rises a bit. The gap disappears towards the ADG strings, much like in bassplayarob's second photo.
Mine is SN #8087 (never bothered to find out what date that would be) and indeed the rear corner under the E string rises a bit. The gap disappears towards the ADG strings, much like in bassplayarob's second photo.
I am the proud owner of a Gibson Tobias Growler 4 string(2 pre-amp switch model) and I have been having similar problems with my bridge over the past few weeks and it has been effecting my intonation and sustain. I have looked at some of the new models and it looks like Gibson switched over to hipshot bridges for the Tobias line some years ago. I have been looking at replacing my bridge anyway since the Hipshot bridges work and sound better and make string changes a breeze. I had one on a former bass that I got rid of and loved that bridge as much as one could. Here's a link to their website, be sure you know your individual string spacing if you order one.
http://store.hipshotproducts.com/cart.php?m=product_list&c=3
I emailed Gibson repair earlier this week about this issue with the bridge and am waiting to hear back from them, as soon as I do I will post the info they pass on to me.
http://store.hipshotproducts.com/cart.php?m=product_list&c=3
I emailed Gibson repair earlier this week about this issue with the bridge and am waiting to hear back from them, as soon as I do I will post the info they pass on to me.
Got a response from Gibson today that was basically no help.
"Tobias models which are more recent used a Hipshot bridge. We do not have archived specs on the dimensions and specs of the bridges that were used in the '90's. A guitar tech should be able to take some measurements on the existing bridge and make recommendations on a suitable replacement."
So in the few days since I sent the email I have found out that the Growler 4 string overall spacing is 2.525" and individual spacing of .812. Gibson directed me to allparts.com which only had one hipshot style bridge that had adequate spacing. My plan is to buy a new bridge straight from the hipshot website I linked earlier, the B-series bridge offers a .812" spacing bridge. There are some on eBay as well if you are interested in that route.
Case in point, this bridge on the older Gibson Growler blows and so does Gibson's advice for solving it. I'll post pics in the coming weeks once I finally get it ordered and installed but it will probably be some time before that happens as I am a college student and $ doesn't come around too often, except for herbs and booz!
Party on!
"Tobias models which are more recent used a Hipshot bridge. We do not have archived specs on the dimensions and specs of the bridges that were used in the '90's. A guitar tech should be able to take some measurements on the existing bridge and make recommendations on a suitable replacement."
So in the few days since I sent the email I have found out that the Growler 4 string overall spacing is 2.525" and individual spacing of .812. Gibson directed me to allparts.com which only had one hipshot style bridge that had adequate spacing. My plan is to buy a new bridge straight from the hipshot website I linked earlier, the B-series bridge offers a .812" spacing bridge. There are some on eBay as well if you are interested in that route.
Case in point, this bridge on the older Gibson Growler blows and so does Gibson's advice for solving it. I'll post pics in the coming weeks once I finally get it ordered and installed but it will probably be some time before that happens as I am a college student and $ doesn't come around too often, except for herbs and booz!
Party on!
- Jan 28, 2009
- 2,929
- 4,152
- Disclosures
- Owner: Moonshine Custom Guitars
I believe that the problem with the earlier Growlers is due to the bodies having more of a round over and/or the the original bridge design puts the bridge too far back, resulting in the bridge not fitting flat. I don't believe that the bridges are pulling up or warping. Just my opinion (I was there).
That being said, I prefer the early Growler's p/u & electronics to the more recent ones. I've owned a couple & would really like to get another.
Moonshine
That being said, I prefer the early Growler's p/u & electronics to the more recent ones. I've owned a couple & would really like to get another.
Moonshine
I believe that the problem with the earlier Growlers is due to the bodies having more of a round over and/or the the original bridge design puts the bridge too far back, resulting in the bridge not fitting flat. I don't believe that the bridges are pulling up or warping. Just my opinion (I was there).
That being said, I prefer the early Growler's p/u & electronics to the more recent ones. I've owned a couple & would really like to get another.
Moonshine
I prefer the older electronics as well, the newer models just don't seem to have the tonal capabilities of the older models separate pre-amps. Those bartolini electronics are daaank!
As for the bridge, mine used to be flat on the body and has not been so obviously high off the body until recent months and I've owned my Tobias for 4 years now. I recently started putting on .050-.110 because I play in drop-C most of the time with my Growler so that could be one reason why the bridge has been lifting.
- Jan 28, 2009
- 2,929
- 4,152
- Disclosures
- Owner: Moonshine Custom Guitars
I recently found a early model Growler on Ebay & managed to get it for a pretty sweet price. It looks like it will be here tomorrow. I'll let you know what the bridge situation is on it when it arrives.
The bridges on the early Growlers were just basic imported, run of the mill bass bridges. Definitely nothing special.
On a side note; I happen to have a Tobias Killer B 4 string neck that I picked up about 6-7 years ago. It is N.O.S. and I have been saving it for the day when I found another Growler (Back in the day, I had a Growler with a Killer B neck on it, I have always wanted another one); Looks like that day is tomorrow (I hope!). Might have to swap out the bridge while I am at it.
Moonshine
The bridges on the early Growlers were just basic imported, run of the mill bass bridges. Definitely nothing special.
On a side note; I happen to have a Tobias Killer B 4 string neck that I picked up about 6-7 years ago. It is N.O.S. and I have been saving it for the day when I found another Growler (Back in the day, I had a Growler with a Killer B neck on it, I have always wanted another one); Looks like that day is tomorrow (I hope!). Might have to swap out the bridge while I am at it.
Moonshine
