Gibson Tune-O-Matic Proper Alignment to Factory Specs

Congrats on 100k views dad!

Bridge screws do not always face forward on Gibsons. Gibson uses more than one type of bridge, primarily the ABR-1 and the Nashville. One has forward screws, other has rear screws.

Fyi I called Gibson and they told me Nashville bridge screws face towards the TAIL. ABR1bridge Screws face neck. Not trying to be a know it all,i was just trying to find out cause I kept seeing them every which way. I really enjoy your Videos.

I bought a Les Paul Traditional, 2015 model. The Nashville bridge came with the adjustment screws facing the tailpiece and the saddles all had the flat sides facing forward.

I like your argument for having the tail-piece low, but not too low. It makes sense that it puts lets pressure on the tail-piece support posts, not sure if it really affects the sustain though. Ever since I saw a video with Slash's guitar tech I've set mine up higher, so the angle from saddle to tail-piece is only about 10 or so degrees. Apparently this way it reduces the chance of string breakage at the tail. I believe it helps too with tuning the wound strings, as less angle decreases the chances of the windings 'catching' on the saddles.

Thanks for the information. I'm currently restoring my old Les Paul Studio and want to get it back to like new condition. The factory bridge settings were a big question mark for me. This was helpful. 👍🏻

I do not think too many of us are playing in front of 5000+ crowds bending the high E 12th fret F# up to Ab and holding it forever like Carlos on Europa. Just set it up to your preference and ROCK!!! AKKA-DAKKA BABY!!!

I have Gibson Les Paul custom and from the factory Tail piece all the way down. Nashville bridge screws facing opposite to yours. It plays flawlessly happy to keep it that way the next time I change strings.. keep it simple

Many thanks. Sorted my SG copy by reversing the bridge (screws facing tailpiece), swapping saddles around, changing their order to reflect string size and filing screw seats.

On the Tune-O-Matic, the direction of the intonation screw-heads is only a matter of personal preference and for practical purposes. If you have the back piece higher than standard, it's just impractical to adjust the screws if the heads are facing the back, so it's usually easier to have them facing the neck.  Also the height of the two pieces is personal preference, and will affect the string action / string height.  Some prefer them higher, some like them lower.  As long as the strings dont touch the back-end of the sadle piece as shown in the video, you're fine. Sometimes you need to adjust the height slightly different on each side (bass / treble) as well, to avoid strings that buzz on the lower frets. Generally, the less of an angle you have on the strings from the back piece to the saddle piece will cause less string tension, and will make strings easier to bend. Depending on the string thickness you use this might need some adjustment as well.  Which way the individual intonation "shoes" are facing is usually set up like you show in the video, bass strings lean one way and treble strings the other, but this is also something you might need to change if you can't get intonation right, and need more or less range for tightening the string tension. Every guitar is different, and a lot of these adjustments are only personal preference.  Epiphone Les Paul guitars often come with a horrible setup, so this is usually a trial and error process to get strings not buzzing and to get intonation right. In the end it all comes down to first adjusting the setup to make the guitar sound right from a technical perspective, intonation, string height / buzzing, etc, and the rest is just personal preference.

I have 2 LP's with nashville bridges made in different years. Both came from the factory with the screw heads facing the tail piece.

I have a 2011 Gibson 50's Tribute Les Paul and it came from the factory with all the flats facing the front and the screws facing the back. Plays and intonates just fine. Something you forgot to mention though is that the saddles come in three different heights with the two tallest in the middle (D and G) and the two shortest on the outside (high and low E) to compensate for the radius of the neck.

Received a factory fresh Gibson LP last month. Screws were facing the tailpiece.

I found cranking the tail piece all the way down increased tuning stability, and switching the metal saddles for Tusq saddles prevented any broken strings (this on a '67 SG with 12's).

Thanks for sharing this. I have spent time getting to know my guitars better and the individual characteristics at the headstock (tuners, nut, geometry, etc.) and tail (bridge & tailstock) that impact its performance (sustain, tuning, etc.). There are things I have learned and some I have a theory about relating to best practices I'm working through. Sharing this as a baseline parameter really helps as this is the way Gibson comes out, set up from the factory. There is a reason for this, and it would be nice to hear right from them on why they went about what they did from their mouths. Knowing what changes do and their related improvements and compromises when doing them is valuable as one works to get the best setup for you and your guitar.

I think the saddle screws pointing neckward would allow greater access for adjusting, easier to put a screw driver over a pickup than around a string perhaps. Just a note: I recently discovered while trying to switch from chrome hardware to black that some of these black bridges and tail pieces are not conductive, thus not able to provide a ground for the strings.

I believe the Nashville style bridge has the adjustment screws towards the tailpiece.

ABR-1 & Nashville bridge adjusting screws are opposite. The ABR-1 screws are near the bridge pickup, the Nashville bridge screws are near the tailpiece.

Very helpful. Thanks. This was driving me crazy. I have a 2016 Traditional and I prefer the screws facing the back.

I wonder when they standardized this: my 93 SG ‘61 reissue came with the screws facing backwards. I’d like to swap it around though because the strings ride on the screws without the stop being kinda high up.