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theboss · November 24th, 2009, 10:57 AM

OK, so it may be several questions, so here goes.

It seems the most popular bridge for the 5120 is aluminum. Does anyone have some experiences to report with the other materials?

Aluminum can be polished to a mirror-shine, but it also oxidizes and turns that nasty gray color fairly quickly. I'm assuming the compton bridges are coated. Is that the case, and if so how well does this coating hold up?

If I get a bridge that's slotted for 11's, will it also accomodate 10's?

I know, I know. I can get these answers from Compton direct, but I thought I'd let you guys pontificate about it first.

Sarah93003 · November 24th, 2009, 11:06 AM

I have brass, aluminum, and stainless Comptons. The brass seem to tarnish the quickest. The aluminum one that I have is at least six months old and still very shiny, no tarnish at all. Stainless speaks for itself.

For my taste, I prefer the Aluminum on hollow body electrics, and brass on acoustics.

Synchro · November 24th, 2009, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theboss

OK, so it may be several questions, so here goes.

It seems the most popular bridge for the 5120 is aluminum. Does anyone have some experiences to report with the other materials?

Aluminum can be polished to a mirror-shine, but it also oxidizes and turns that nasty gray color fairly quickly. I'm assuming the compton bridges are coated. Is that the case, and if so how well does this coating hold up?

If I get a bridge that's slotted for 11's, will it also accomodate 10's?

I know, I know. I can get these answers from Compton direct, but I thought I'd let you guys pontificate about it first.

Aluminum is funny stuff. Pure aluminum (1100) immediately corrodes upon contact with air but the aluminum oxide layer prevents further corrosion. I little application of Scotch Brite (never steel wool) will do wonders to restore the shine to unfinished aluminum.

brian blaut · November 24th, 2009, 12:10 PM

I've probably had mine on there for maybe 6 or 7 months. Maybe longer. Mine is a little tarnished between the low e-a-d strings (from palm muting). I only even see it when I'm changing strings. Even then, I could care less. Really no big deal. At worse, it just looks like any older piece of guitar hardware a little aged from a little use. Areas that I don't touch regularly (the other 97% of the bridge) are still as shiny as the day they were birthed.

In short, it's absolutely nothing to worry about. Unless you worry about such things. Then I'd suggest the stainless bridge.

I'll someday try Synchro's scotch brite, out of curiosity.

Synchro · November 24th, 2009, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian blaut

I'll someday try Synchro's scotch brite, out of curiosity.

When I worked for the airlines we used Scotch Brite pads on a die grinder as a way to clean aluminum. Anything with steel in it such as steel wool or a (steel) wire brush will leave steel bits embedded in the aluminum and cause corrsion in the long run.

ishtar · November 24th, 2009, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theboss

...I can get these answers from Compton direct, but I thought I'd let you guys pontificate about it first.

I bet Wayne Compton will potificate here soon, Boss.

Jhundt · November 24th, 2009, 12:32 PM

I picked my aluminum Coimpton bridge up in California, around the end of April. It is still shiny and nice. It matches up very nicely with the Bigsby on my 5129. I wish the chrome-plated pickups looked as nice as the bridge!

DaveT · November 24th, 2009, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theboss

OK, so it may be several questions, so here goes.

It seems the most popular bridge for the 5120 is aluminum. Does anyone have some experiences to report with the other materials?

Stainless Steel :

http://www.gretsch-talk.com/forum/el...te-novice.html

Sarah93003 · November 24th, 2009, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ishtar

I bet Wayne Compton will potificate here soon, Boss.

Really? Pops smokes pot?

charlie chitlins · November 24th, 2009, 02:45 PM

I've dealt with tons of polished aluminum (motorcycle builder/restorer for many years).
A little cleaning when changing strings should do just fine.
A can of Nevr-Dull might last you a lifetime.
For a little extra protection and extending the time needed between polishing, a good automotive wax works great.

ishtar · November 24th, 2009, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarah93003

Really? Pops smokes pot?

I thought that potificate didn't look right.... Where is Wayne?

workknot · November 24th, 2009, 03:44 PM

ishtar; I am hiding in the weeds here and just reading all the positive comments. In answering theboss, no there is no coating on the aluminum, it is polished to a high lustre and the ones on my guitars that get played daily have not yet dulled. They are all of 6 months old. The Compton Bridges website will be closed through the Thanksgiving holiday and we wish you all a very safe and happy turkey day. We are heading down to KS Missouri to my second oldest son's for the holiday. Plan on meeting up with Dan P while there as he will only be about 20 miles away. I am bringing along some gear as my son and son-in-law both play guitar and mandolin so we will do a little jamming.
Pop's

Synchro · November 24th, 2009, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by workknot

ishtar; I am hiding in the weeds here and just reading all the positive comments. In answering theboss, no there is no coating on the aluminum, it is polished to a high lustre and the ones on my guitars that get played daily have not yet dulled. They are all of 6 months old. The Compton Bridges website will be closed through the Thanksgiving holiday and we wish you all a very safe and happy turkey day. We are heading down to KS Missouri to my second oldest son's for the holiday. Plan on meeting up with Dan P while there as he will only be about 20 miles away. I am bringing along some gear as my son and son-in-law both play guitar and mandolin so we will do a little jamming.
Pop's

Have a safe trip Wayne.

ishtar · November 24th, 2009, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by workknot

ishtar; I am hiding in the weeds here and just reading all the positive comments. In answering theboss, no there is no coating on the aluminum, it is polished to a high lustre and the ones on my guitars that get played daily have not yet dulled. They are all of 6 months old. The Compton Bridges website will be closed through the Thanksgiving holiday and we wish you all a very safe and happy turkey day. We are heading down to KS Missouri to my second oldest son's for the holiday. Plan on meeting up with Dan P while there as he will only be about 20 miles away. I am bringing along some gear as my son and son-in-law both play guitar and mandolin so we will do a little jamming.
Pop's

Sounds like a very good holiday plan. Are you and Dan going to duel the DeLisles?

Jukebox · November 24th, 2009, 04:40 PM

Have a safe trip Wayne

Boss, regardless of what some people think, you don't always buy the bridge because it looks good, the different metals will give you different tones. Wait to check out the website or read the reviews on them before buying one.

dan P · November 24th, 2009, 04:46 PM

The very simple solution to this is: BUY THEM ALL !

IM FREE !( no jury duty and off till monday ) Come on Wayne, get your tail down here...

DaddyDistortion · November 24th, 2009, 06:29 PM

Is some oxidation on the visible metal parts actually a bad thing though? I think it adds personality. Some battle scars might just be charming:-)

ishtar · November 24th, 2009, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaddyDistortion

Is some oxidation on the visible metal parts actually a bad thing though? I think it adds personality. Some battle scars might just be charming:-)

+1

And dust!

Sarah93003 · November 24th, 2009, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by workknot

ishtar; I am hiding in the weeds here and just reading all the positive comments. In answering theboss, no there is no coating on the aluminum, it is polished to a high lustre and the ones on my guitars that get played daily have not yet dulled. They are all of 6 months old. The Compton Bridges website will be closed through the Thanksgiving holiday and we wish you all a very safe and happy turkey day. We are heading down to KS Missouri to my second oldest son's for the holiday. Plan on meeting up with Dan P while there as he will only be about 20 miles away. I am bringing along some gear as my son and son-in-law both play guitar and mandolin so we will do a little jamming.
Pop's

He pontificated!

Sluggo · November 24th, 2009, 10:22 PM

My stainless bridge looks pretty darn cool...but more importantly SOUNDS awesome. I can't compare the sound to any other Comptons, but I went with the sound recommendation on the web page to base my decision on. I'll probably end up getting the aluminum as well just to see the sound difference, but I dig the stainless.

Ron