Excellent job, well impressed . I was quite pleased that Faber and Faber Fairy tale company have expanded into manufacturing the perfect Les Paul Hard tailpiece...A story well told and with a happy ending for once. Bravo!!
Thank you very much! And yes after my Hagstrom trilogy I wanted this episode to go smoothly. Just got away with it with a couple of final taps at the end. 😅😅
I’ve just ordered the bridge, tail piece & studs-I’ll probably get my luthier to fit them as I don’t have the confidence to attempt it. Well done for taking it on. 👏
I reckon you could take it on like I did. The only thing that's kind of annoying is the bridge and intonation again. If you've got a luthier though then you're safe as houses.
Cheers Sped...okay...been a while....just noticed you getting some "Faber" parts....well done you....i did mention it to you some years back....apart from my Gibson SG 61, i've upgraded all my guitars with faber bridges & tailpieces..(and vintage tulip tuners)...good quality at reasonable prices....and one can feel and hear the difference....cheers...and congrats on your channel....150k plus subs.....pleased for you.....terrahh
Nicely done, Spedrick. A great look to go along with your killer playing. You might want to try wrapping those strings around the tailpiece; changes the break angle and provides more sustain.
Thanks for the compliments and glad you enjoyed the video. I used to overwrap for a few years, you will see looking back. The damage it did to the tailpiece with strings digging in wasn't worth it imo. I also don't believe I got any more sustain or resonance out of it. I've now moved back to using the tailpiece as it was designed, to be adjusted dependent on the players set up and I like mine high with a high action.
Hey Sped! I used Faber’s wraparound tailpiece on my SG Special and I’ve also installed quite a few of their ABR~1 style bridges on friends of mine Gibbies as well here. Very nice hardware and you just can’t go wrong with Faber 🤙 great choice man.
Cool, I used the same parts on an SG. I had to drill out the holes for the bridge inserts as they were too shallow initially to allow them to fully seat (I’m sure this was in the instructions as a thing to check before you start). So much better to not fight with setups moving when you change strings and I prefer the locking mechanisms to the tonepros one.
There's nothing on the packets. That's the only thing I would like to see change, a little diagram inside the cardboard, anything. But yeah, my previous hardware was magnetic and removable which is cool. This is a different beast. I like the look and feel straight off and everything fit flush which is nice!
Hey sped, i was scrolling through the zep playlist and realized you haven't done Since I've Been Loving You. Some badass licks in that track. I also recommend looking into the Madison Square Garden version they played in 73, really beautiful Dorian lick in the intro solo.
All my LP's have Faber hardware. I really like the titanium saddles for the wound strings. I also really like pure nickel strings with round cores. I just did an ES-335 last week. To my ears, the parts are well worth it. Enjoy.
Very cool! And that’s good to know. I’ve heard a lot of good stuff about them online. I think mine came with a cheapo bridge even though it was a ‘98 US standard. I remember when I first swapped it out years ago it had buckled. Don’t know whether they were importing stuff at that time. Nice to have an ABR on there.
Nice, I like it and sounds pretty good too. I've been considering changing the Tuner Buttons on mine from the bean shaped ones to the Keystone style like yours. Oh and I'm still working on the Vibrato and my Wife is thoroughly enjoying it.
Nicely done Sped! Big difference, especially aesthetically. Should really help with sustain too. Don't know if you did this, but the first thing I would've done after taking the strings off was to oil the board and let it sit there until you were ready to re-string. 🙂 Cheers, MB
I'm quite good at looking after my LP, fretboard especially. Every other restring I usually lemon oil the neck and give the frets a good polish with Crimson fret rubbers. Glad you liked the vid.
I bought the Graphtech Resomax bridge for my Les Paul a few months ago on your recommendation . I realy like it better then the stock bridge that came with the guitar. Thanks!
Definitely agree with you and glad you liked the upgrade. You are in safe hands with that bridge. When I took my old stock bridge off it had buckled/warped. Played Graphtech for years and always rated. This video just came out of a few chats with friends, curiosity and the overall look of my guitar.
Faber bridges are solid, just put one on my Slash signature Les Paul. It was a bit of a dark sounding guitar not bad but just a tad on the darkside. I went with the titanium saddles on the wound strings and its much better. You may have to file the saddle slots a little to get it perfect but if it works like it is leave it be. Also its a good idea to measure the depth of the bridge post holes before putting the inserts in. I had to make mine a little deeper. Any way, looks great, enjoy!
@@SpedSpedding Yes, I have the bridge with titanium saddles and the lightweight aluminum tailpiece on my Gibson R8, the sound opening and acoustic presence are incredible!
Nice Work Sped🙌🙌🙌 Looks the business 😍 Asthetics are important to us guitarists 💯😁 Surprises me so much on how setting the break angle with the tail piece height shims really effects the feeling of the strings 👍
Looks great!.. My LP is slightly odd as I think the neck geometry is at the limit of their standard tolerance and with a standard bridge I have had to have to tail piece ridiculously high to avoid the strings touching the back of the bridge (using the paper test)... After a lot of research I found top wrapping solved this.. I also noticed the bridge had started to deform (prob had heavy gauge on it at some point) and I play with 9's.. So I installed the graphtech stringsaver bridge (following your upgrade video a while back).. this was great as the saddles are actually higher off the bridge and allowed me to switch back to non-top wrapped and keep the tail piece at a more reasonable height and avoid sting touching.. Those aged nickel Fabers do look nice though.. high chrome on a LP just looks little too bling IMO... nice video, i do like 'tinkering about with your guitar' videos :)
Yeah it does look a bit bling doesn't it. Fingerprints and smudges show up too and ruin it immediately for me. Much happier with this kind of finish. Glad my previous video gave you a fix though, I still rate my other bridge and reckon I might whack it on my old Dot or another guitar that fits. Probably end up creating a whole new saga about that won't I... ffs.
Has the tone of your Les Paul changed after swapping the hardware? Would be interesting. I have just changed the tailpiece on my LP copy. It had Chinese hardware in it (Sung-Il). I decided for the Faber Aluminium Tailpiece and the Tone Lock Kit with gold finish. I did not change the strings, because I wanted to hear the difference clearly. The guitar now plays with a far more definded and open tone. The sustain increased significantly. Also the attack has improved. I am so happy with the change.
I'm wondering if the saddles are held in by C shaped lock washers...If so I think that tool is used for removing them, in case you need to turn the saddle around for better intonation.
now you need to get some aged Nickel tuners Sped....don't know if Faber makes them but you can at least get some nice Gotoh or Grover brushed Nickel ....well done bro...
Faber do actually make a 3x3 set in that finish, they look really nice but I don't want to part with my ratio's as they're really great. You familiar with the concept of the different gears and balancing string tension?
@@SpedSpedding I will Sped....I usually use Smaller since they are German made too....Germany does impeccable work with metal guitar parts...German Floyd 's also on my guitars....
I have Les Paul's and none of them play as bright as that!! Any Les Paul I've ever played unplugged was quiet.. just cut a couple of "F" slots in it and turn into a nice ES 335!
I own a 2007 Edwards Les Paul with direct body mounted bridge inserts , full mahogany body with thick maple cap , weighs 8.5lb . I always play it unplugged and it's super loud and resonant .
@@SpedSpeddingJust check oem Gibson, they are available everywhere, on Gibson website, Andertoons , Thomman Just make sure it says historic, since they sell modern version also. Historics are like, 30$ for set ☺️
Knock them tailpiece ferrules flush with a piece of wood on the big insert screw,using it as a ‘drift’…this will also make the sound more ‘drifty’…probably…
I’m actually on the top floor of our house. It’s an old house technically in the gable end. 😅 Just had the loft boarded so I have somewhere to launch all the boxes and cases for the first time in my life!
These “simple” jobs are always tricky and instructions poor, sizes difficult to check in advance. So you did a grand job Sped. Acoustic sound and bending made me think action a tad low - ringing with slight buzz & sustain falling off on bent notes - or something like that. Was it OK?
It was sustaining nicely, I was quite far from the shotgun and it was set to gate out traffic noise etc. Forgot. I also have massive frets as well which imo sound a little more raspy when playing acoustically. Next time you hear the LP you’ll be able to form an opinion on the electric sounds. Hopefully it’s all good. 🤝🏻
Can I ask you one question ? why you place the saddle screws looking towards the pick-ups ? I see that ppl make it a lot and I'm not an user of abrl bridge, and I'm really curious about it , thanks .
Apparently that’s the way they’re designed? It’s awkward either way isn’t it. 😂 Maybe the tailpiece is less forgiving than coming in over the bridge pickup?
@@american_psycho1147 These have 3x3 saddles so I imagine not however on my Graphtech bridge with the string saver saddles there's a clear direction for it to face with the slope. Everyone has their own design I guess.
Correct me if I’m wrong but I believe ‘98 Gibson Les Paul Standards typically came with a Tune-O-Matic Nashville bridge. This bridge design differs from the ABR-1 bridge, which is more commonly found on historic or reissue models of earlier Les Pauls, such as the ’59 Les Paul Standard.
@@SpedSpedding…a true ABR-1 had a tendency to be pulled and lean forward towards the pickup…what you have there is the “improved” ABR-1 which sits in the bushings…much better design 👍
Way more simple way of removing those inserts put a pickup screw inside put old tailpeice screw in and tighten down it will pull your bushings out I know you had a towel but my way is faster and safer for your top
Amazing how the kit doesn’t come with instructions and the videos they have on their site are really lacking. They should hire an intern for a month and make some good videos 😂
Excellent job, well impressed . I was quite pleased that Faber and Faber Fairy tale company have expanded into manufacturing the perfect Les Paul Hard tailpiece...A story well told and with a happy ending for once. Bravo!!
Thank you very much! And yes after my Hagstrom trilogy I wanted this episode to go smoothly. Just got away with it with a couple of final taps at the end. 😅😅
@@SpedSpedding at least you managed to avoid any Spinal taps...
I’ve just ordered the bridge, tail piece & studs-I’ll probably get my luthier to fit them as I don’t have the confidence to attempt it. Well done for taking it on. 👏
I reckon you could take it on like I did. The only thing that's kind of annoying is the bridge and intonation again. If you've got a luthier though then you're safe as houses.
Cheers Sped...okay...been a while....just noticed you getting some "Faber" parts....well done you....i did mention it to you some years back....apart from my Gibson SG 61, i've upgraded all my guitars with faber bridges & tailpieces..(and vintage tulip tuners)...good quality at reasonable prices....and one can feel and hear the difference....cheers...and congrats on your channel....150k plus subs.....pleased for you.....terrahh
Nice thanks for sharing. A peek under the hood is always appreciated!
You bet, glad you enjoyed the video Damon.
Interesting. I like how the bridge is locked in once installed.
It's a clever bit of engineering I knew you'd appreciate. Same with the tailpiece and spacers, it's rock solid.
Nicely done, Spedrick. A great look to go along with your killer playing. You might want to try wrapping those strings around the tailpiece; changes the break angle and provides more sustain.
Thanks for the compliments and glad you enjoyed the video.
I used to overwrap for a few years, you will see looking back. The damage it did to the tailpiece with strings digging in wasn't worth it imo. I also don't believe I got any more sustain or resonance out of it. I've now moved back to using the tailpiece as it was designed, to be adjusted dependent on the players set up and I like mine high with a high action.
That honeyburst is stunning
Thanks so much!
Hey Sped!
I used Faber’s wraparound tailpiece on my SG Special and I’ve also installed quite a few of their ABR~1 style bridges on friends of mine Gibbies as well here. Very nice hardware and you just can’t go wrong with Faber 🤙 great choice man.
That’s great to hear! So many people have been singing their praises. I’ll see how I get on over the coming months.
Thanks, Sped
Faber Forever!!!!
Cheers
Pleasure, what Faber are you currently rocking?
@@SpedSpedding the Faber ABRH-59 Vintage ABR-1. Old school.
That’s a real nice upgrade…well done👍
Thank you!
Cool, I used the same parts on an SG. I had to drill out the holes for the bridge inserts as they were too shallow initially to allow them to fully seat (I’m sure this was in the instructions as a thing to check before you start). So much better to not fight with setups moving when you change strings and I prefer the locking mechanisms to the tonepros one.
There's nothing on the packets. That's the only thing I would like to see change, a little diagram inside the cardboard, anything. But yeah, my previous hardware was magnetic and removable which is cool. This is a different beast. I like the look and feel straight off and everything fit flush which is nice!
Looks good. Glad to see you took a hammer to the tailpiece to get the bushings set in right! Sorry, but I'm commenting as I watch. Good job, enjoy!
😂😂😂 I’m replying as I read! I waited because I asked a friend whether I’d be ok tapping it in with the bolt in. Didn’t want to damage the thread.
Hey sped, i was scrolling through the zep playlist and realized you haven't done Since I've Been Loving You. Some badass licks in that track. I also recommend looking into the Madison Square Garden version they played in 73, really beautiful Dorian lick in the intro solo.
All my LP's have Faber hardware. I really like the titanium saddles for the wound strings. I also really like pure nickel strings with round cores. I just did an ES-335 last week. To my ears, the parts are well worth it. Enjoy.
Very cool! And that’s good to know. I’ve heard a lot of good stuff about them online. I think mine came with a cheapo bridge even though it was a ‘98 US standard. I remember when I first swapped it out years ago it had buckled. Don’t know whether they were importing stuff at that time. Nice to have an ABR on there.
Nice ! Great job man.
Thanks a lot!
I keep my tailpiece raised as well. Nice and slinky feeling.
Yup! That’s how I like me and how it should be used. Adjustable for a reason eh. 🤝🏻
Nice, I like it and sounds pretty good too. I've been considering changing the Tuner Buttons on mine from the bean shaped ones to the Keystone style like yours. Oh and I'm still working on the Vibrato and my Wife is thoroughly enjoying it.
My ratio machine heads from Graphtech are boss. They have completely mitigated any tuning stability issues on this guitar.
Looks frikkin awsome!!!
Yuuuup!
Roller bridges changed my life.
Which one do you have?
Great - it does look fab!
Some might say it looks “fab-er.” 🤒 We’re here for the terrible jokes, all of us.
Nicely done Sped! Big difference, especially aesthetically. Should really help with sustain too.
Don't know if you did this, but the first thing I would've done after taking the strings off was to oil the board and let it sit there until you were ready to re-string. 🙂 Cheers, MB
I'm quite good at looking after my LP, fretboard especially. Every other restring I usually lemon oil the neck and give the frets a good polish with Crimson fret rubbers. Glad you liked the vid.
I bought the Graphtech Resomax bridge for my Les Paul a few months ago on your recommendation . I realy like it better then the stock bridge that came with the guitar. Thanks!
Definitely agree with you and glad you liked the upgrade. You are in safe hands with that bridge. When I took my old stock bridge off it had buckled/warped. Played Graphtech for years and always rated. This video just came out of a few chats with friends, curiosity and the overall look of my guitar.
i got the same on my SG. great hardware
Awesome! Now all I need is an SG.
@@SpedSpedding 😂🤣
Faber bridges are solid, just put one on my Slash signature Les Paul. It was a bit of a dark sounding guitar not bad but just a tad on the darkside. I went with the titanium saddles on the wound strings and its much better. You may have to file the saddle slots a little to get it perfect but if it works like it is leave it be. Also its a good idea to measure the depth of the bridge post holes before putting the inserts in. I had to make mine a little deeper. Any way, looks great, enjoy!
I must have got lucky with my bridge posts then. I was worried at first that the tailpiece bushings were too long but I was just being feeble. 💪🏻😂
Best upgrade!!!
That’s good to know! What else have you tried?
@@SpedSpedding Yes, I have the bridge with titanium saddles and the lightweight aluminum tailpiece on my Gibson R8, the sound opening and acoustic presence are incredible!
@@glaucosantiagothat’s boss! So glad that you’re happy with it. I’m excited to play it more and see if people notice a difference.
Nice Work Sped🙌🙌🙌
Looks the business 😍
Asthetics are important to us guitarists 💯😁
Surprises me so much on how setting the break angle with the tail piece height shims really effects the feeling of the strings 👍
It does indeed! Really happy with it. Could this be the final upgrade?
Looks great!.. My LP is slightly odd as I think the neck geometry is at the limit of their standard tolerance and with a standard bridge I have had to have to tail piece ridiculously high to avoid the strings touching the back of the bridge (using the paper test)...
After a lot of research I found top wrapping solved this.. I also noticed the bridge had started to deform (prob had heavy gauge on it at some point) and I play with 9's.. So I installed the graphtech stringsaver bridge (following your upgrade video a while back).. this was great as the saddles are actually higher off the bridge and allowed me to switch back to non-top wrapped and keep the tail piece at a more reasonable height and avoid sting touching..
Those aged nickel Fabers do look nice though.. high chrome on a LP just looks little too bling IMO... nice video, i do like 'tinkering about with your guitar' videos :)
Yeah it does look a bit bling doesn't it. Fingerprints and smudges show up too and ruin it immediately for me. Much happier with this kind of finish. Glad my previous video gave you a fix though, I still rate my other bridge and reckon I might whack it on my old Dot or another guitar that fits. Probably end up creating a whole new saga about that won't I... ffs.
Has the tone of your Les Paul changed after swapping the hardware? Would be interesting. I have just changed the tailpiece on my LP copy. It had Chinese hardware in it (Sung-Il). I decided for the Faber Aluminium Tailpiece and the Tone Lock Kit with gold finish. I did not change the strings, because I wanted to hear the difference clearly. The guitar now plays with a far more definded and open tone. The sustain increased significantly. Also the attack has improved. I am so happy with the change.
stuff looks quality
It really is.
Nice job. Nice LP!! We all know you are a great guitarist but where did you get those cool rings ??? Cool style man
I'm wondering if the saddles are held in by C shaped lock washers...If so I think that tool is used for removing them, in case you need to turn the saddle around for better intonation.
I read that as Faberge, assume this guitar smells nice dude 👀
It absolutely does.
now you need to get some aged Nickel tuners Sped....don't know if Faber makes them but you can at least get some nice Gotoh or Grover brushed Nickel ....well done bro...
Faber do actually make a 3x3 set in that finish, they look really nice but I don't want to part with my ratio's as they're really great. You familiar with the concept of the different gears and balancing string tension?
@@SpedSpedding no...not familiar at all...I play Charvel Super Strats...
@@isMike999 Have a look, you'll probably be interested!
@@SpedSpedding I will Sped....I usually use Smaller since they are German made too....Germany does impeccable work with metal guitar parts...German Floyd 's also on my guitars....
There's nothing like a new tailpiece 😂 or so I've been led to believe ...
You auditioning for the new Bond role?
The background music made me feel like I’m watching an 80’s romcom. lol.
You are. I’m picking you up at 9:30pm in a Cadillac. 💋
@@SpedSpedding lol. I’ll be waiting.
I like this! (You might want a plastic hammer tho...)
Agree. 😂
Also I rather like the bridge. I had a tailpiece bridge that needed locking posts.
It’s a great design and I’ve been enjoying playing it. Especially with the higher tailpiece. It’s solid.
I have Les Paul's and none of them play as bright as that!! Any Les Paul I've ever played unplugged was quiet.. just cut a couple of "F" slots in it and turn into a nice ES 335!
You had your router out have you? 😅
Are you a fan of the brightness? Would you consider Faber in future then?
I own a 2007 Edwards Les Paul with direct body mounted bridge inserts , full mahogany body with thick maple cap , weighs 8.5lb . I always play it unplugged and it's super loud and resonant .
Now you just need tall historic butyrate pickup rings 🎉
I was oblivious to these. Just looked on ThroBak’s website. 👀😂 $189.00 unaged, $219.00 Aged.
@@SpedSpeddingJust check oem Gibson, they are available everywhere, on Gibson website, Andertoons , Thomman
Just make sure it says historic, since they sell modern version also.
Historics are like, 30$ for set ☺️
Gibson Historic pickup rings , 1\4 in neck 1\2 in bridge are £30 on Glued to music 👍
I would have tapped the bushing for the tailpiece in so they were flush with the body.
Watch until the end!
Knock them tailpiece ferrules flush with a piece of wood on the big insert screw,using it as a ‘drift’…this will also make the sound more ‘drifty’…probably…
Nice one, all taken care of if you watch to the end!
I want my attic to be more like yours and less like a floorless, empty space.
I’m actually on the top floor of our house. It’s an old house technically in the gable end. 😅
Just had the loft boarded so I have somewhere to launch all the boxes and cases for the first time in my life!
These “simple” jobs are always tricky and instructions poor, sizes difficult to check in advance. So you did a grand job Sped. Acoustic sound and bending made me think action a tad low - ringing with slight buzz & sustain falling off on bent notes - or something like that. Was it OK?
It was sustaining nicely, I was quite far from the shotgun and it was set to gate out traffic noise etc. Forgot.
I also have massive frets as well which imo sound a little more raspy when playing acoustically. Next time you hear the LP you’ll be able to form an opinion on the electric sounds. Hopefully it’s all good. 🤝🏻
Can I ask you one question ? why you place the saddle screws looking towards the pick-ups ? I see that ppl make it a lot and I'm not an user of abrl bridge, and I'm really curious about it , thanks .
Apparently that’s the way they’re designed? It’s awkward either way isn’t it. 😂 Maybe the tailpiece is less forgiving than coming in over the bridge pickup?
@@SpedSpedding Tnx
The direction doesn't matter
@@american_psycho1147 These have 3x3 saddles so I imagine not however on my Graphtech bridge with the string saver saddles there's a clear direction for it to face with the slope. Everyone has their own design I guess.
The thought of doing any of this fills me full of dread. Better to take it to a tech. 😢
You could absolutely handle it. 🤝🏻
@@SpedSpedding lol. You took a hammer to your guitar. I’d miss. 🤣
You should have released this video a few hours later, and could have called it "Saturday night Faber"
Cue up the Bee Gees.
7:24 Maybe some beeswax, or soap would have helped? 🎸🤔
The others came out fine. Maybe you’re right with a little lubrication but in the end we got it flush as you’ll see. 🔨
@@SpedSpedding All’s well that ends well! 👍 🙂 Did you notice a significant difference in sound, acoustically and plugged-in ? 🎸🤔
Correct me if i'm wrong mate, but don't Gibson LP's come with a true ABR1, no insert?
Correct me if I’m wrong but I believe ‘98 Gibson Les Paul Standards typically came with a Tune-O-Matic Nashville bridge. This bridge design differs from the ABR-1 bridge, which is more commonly found on historic or reissue models of earlier Les Pauls, such as the ’59 Les Paul Standard.
@@SpedSpedding…a true ABR-1 had a tendency to be pulled and lean forward towards the pickup…what you have there is the “improved” ABR-1 which sits in the bushings…much better design 👍
@@eddiejr540Yeah it’s the fABR so to speak… 😏😏😏 Really impressed so far and happy with the look.
Way more simple way of removing those inserts put a pickup screw inside put old tailpeice screw in and tighten down it will pull your bushings out I know you had a towel but my way is faster and safer for your top
I like that! Or anything that’s solid that I could drop in right? To push the bushings out as I screw the posts back in? Thanks!
shouldn't you be watching the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics?
Ner, it's a bit poncy; can you do this bridge shit to a 335?
Yeah definitely, it’s the same parts effectively! Best to check measurements and specs before buying though!
Amazing how the kit doesn’t come with instructions and the videos they have on their site are really lacking. They should hire an intern for a month and make some good videos 😂
I thought that. I did email prior to explain what I do for a living. Helpful with recommendations but that was it really.