The Gretsch Pages: Discussions: Other Equipment: Tru-Arc Bridge Demo Sound Clips

Tru-Arc Bridge Demo Sound Clips

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- Rated: 159 ↑
Nov 13, 2008 10:48 a.m. Bear:

Thanks Proteus, that's the one I was looking for. I love how those pickups sound in the Ibanez.
- Rated: 37 ↑
Nov 14, 2008 1:35 p.m. Jimbodiddley:

I don't think I've seen this addressed yet. Apologies if so...

Does one need to remove the strings to switch out an old ToM bridge for the Tru-Arc? (Assuming the base is left in place.) Or is there a good method for, what I assume would entail, loosening the strings, holding them up with something, and them making the switcheroo?
- Rated: 84 ↑
Nov 14, 2008 1:44 p.m. Timthom62:

Loosening and lifting the strings was all that was required on my SSU, and that's with a pinned bridge.

I actually lifted the strings, then rotated and removed the whole bridge, base and all, then fitted the Tru-Arc and reversed the procedure. Ten minutes start to finish, fifteen if you count the intonation check.
- Rated: 37 ↑
Nov 14, 2008 1:52 p.m. Jimbodiddley:

Thanks Timthom. Did you use something to hold the strings up with while you fitted the bridge, or just held them with one hand?
- Rated: 84 ↑
Nov 14, 2008 6:21 p.m. Timthom62:

I just held them up with my hand while swapping the bridge. I was able to get plenty of height to rotate the bridge from the horizontal and also to have clearance to slide the bridge under the strings on its side without scratching the surface of the top with the adjustment wheels.

I had planned to either hold them up the whole time the bridge was off or to put something under the strings because I had been concerned about the strings popping off the Bigsby when they were that loose, but as it turned out that wasn't an issue.
- Rated: 71 ↑
Nov 14, 2008 10:17 p.m. troy6120:

I actually had a good idea one day. I noticed that my local guitar tech has a special broomstick-looking thing that he puts under the loosened strings of the guitars that he works on, just to lift them up and still keep tension on them. HARD WOOD! NO! So, with me being a Paramedic, I got ahold of an old blood pressure cuff no longer fit for using on humans, but with it's air bladder still intact. I LOOSEN the strings on the guitar just a bit, and SLIDE the blood pressure cuff under them and lying flat on tongue-region of the fretboard, and inflate a little. I then loosen the strings as much as I want, and inflate the cuff to lift the strings up as high as I need them. It's non-abrasive to the guitar, and adjustable in height. When you're done, you just let some air out, tighten the strings a little, and let out some more air. This works!
- Rated: 37 ↑
Nov 14, 2008 10:55 p.m. Jimbodiddley:

Great idea Troy! Maybe you can market that to Proteus as the Tru-Arc String Bladder Ladder™. "The perfect companion piece for your Tru-Arc bridge. The bridge to somewhere!"
- Rated: 328 ↑
Nov 15, 2008 11:49 a.m. Proteus:

Huh! Cool idea. Bladder Ladder. I like it.

Or...the Air Ride String Lifter...
- Rated: 79 ↑
Nov 15, 2008 12:49 p.m. roadjunkie:

It would be more fun using a Whoopie Cushion!
- Rated: 79 ↑
Nov 15, 2008 12:51 p.m. roadjunkie:

Ya know blame it on the dog.......wife whoever!
- Rated: 71 ↑
Nov 15, 2008 8:30 p.m. troy6120:

How about the "Pneumatic Adjustomatic". Whoever wants it can patent it, or something. I have no aspirations to greatness. Tell 'em it was your own middle-of-the-night, woke-up-in-a-cold-sweat kind of inspiration.
- Rated: 37 ↑
Nov 19, 2008 9:46 p.m. Jimbodiddley:

Just got my Tru-Arc installed tonight (Al-120). It's a bit of a tight fit on the base of my 5120. The poles are a little too close together, so it's quite tight. Eg., if I wanted to lower it, I'd adjust the wheel, but the bridge won't drop unless I force it down. I guess that's not a biggie. Once I get it set to the correct height, I don't think I'll be needing to adjust it that much anyway. Would I?

First thing I noticed was the improvement in the acoustic tone, unplugged. Just seemed a bit richer. Plugged in, it sounds great, but what I really notice is the feel. The strings on the neck just feel more natural, and more comfortable. I guess that makes sense, considering that's what the whole design is about! Lol.

And, as someone else said, it's a lot more comfortable to rest the palm of my right hand on the bar, as opposed to the "teeth" of the old ToM bridge.

Fantastic product Sir Proteus! I think I'm gonna really enjoy this guitar more with this bridge.

Let me know if there's anything I should do about the tight fit (nut sauce?) - or just leave as is?
- Rated: 4 ↑
Dec 9, 2008 7:27 a.m. Blueness_YS:

Hi, I'm waiting a True Arc to my DuoJet with v-cut Bigsby. I have ordered a stainless steel bar to Proteus. But till now I have been doubting between stainless and aluminum. I think somebody have both and I would like to ask you about it. I am going to order a pair of Magnatron TV Jones pickups (I like the Dynas' sound but my guitar have filtertrons and I don't want to work with the holes of the guitar). I think Magnatron sound is bigger than Dyna and I think aluminum could correct this because it sounds a little bit thin than stainless. This is why I am reconsidering to try aluminum (but I like a little bit more the sound samples of stainless).Can you help me in some way?

Thank you very much and I'm sorry if i'm not so clear. Regards, Alfred
- Rated: 33 ↑
Feb 8, 2009 1:11 p.m. Geoff_Vane:

I would like to hear some samples of Tru-Arcs on the G5120, since it is the guitar that needs the most tweaking of them all.

It might be the Gretsch model that can benefit the most of a good bridge.
- Rated: 328 ↑
Feb 8, 2009 5:01 p.m. Proteus:

I don't own a 5120, but I might be able to work that out. Good idea.
- Rated: 33 ↑
Feb 9, 2009 1:35 a.m. Geoff_Vane:

Yeah, it might be a good idea. Many needy clients too! (so called bridge junkies)

Being a nerd, it made me think what determines the tone for each metal...

I'm guessing it's the mass of the atoms.

I vant zo sweetch zo Einstein style of typing , english with a german accent :)

This means you dont have to try magnesium bridges, because Mg is only slightly lighter and thus brighter than Al (aluminium). And magnesium can burn too. (would give cool gigs)

Titanium is very durable and cool, but it should sound like copper. That made me wonder about stainless steel and copper. Do they sound alike? That would prove my theory on bridge physics!

Tungsten should sound like gold, but I think it's just as expensive, if not more expensive.

For really heavy metal and tone, you need Uranium ofcourse. Nice glow in the dark effect too.
- Rated: 33 ↑
Apr 10, 2009 8:16 p.m. Blaydrnnnr:

Hi all, Proteus, I just recently bought a 6118T Annie, turns out, you showed the very same one in comparison to the 6120GA on you tube. You did a great job showing it off...anyway, I am looking for advice on this guitar, since you played and compared it... any suggestions? a certain Bridge? ( I cant seem to get the links working to hear the differences..)I play mostly through a Fender Twin. I have to say.. I'm kinda leading towards the AL...I should add, alot of tech guys here are saying the adjusto-matic bridge is awsome on this guitar.. but the 9.5 bridge just sounds like good sense and better comfort.
- Rated: 15 ↑
Oct 27, 2009 9:42 p.m. BuddyHollywood:

Me being relatively new here just read all about the Tru-Arc and it's history for the first time today and I am astounded that Gretsch would make and sell guitars for thousands of dollars and not install the right size bridge to match the neck radius. Why did it take the ingenuity of a player and not a guitar manufacturer to come up with this solution? As an outsider looking in this is insane. Proteus +1!
- Rated: 15 ↑
Jan 25, 2010 10:31 a.m. uokclan:

Hmm I'm really starting to consider buying a Tru-Arc now,

I really like the sound of the Stainless , The aliminium indeed has more twang , but my ears are pretty sensitive to treble , it gets painful for me with alot of twang :D

So it'll be a Stainless IF I buy one. I'm sure it'll be an improvement , just like my new filtertrons are , damn where would I have been without this forums. Probably playing speedcoretrashdeathmetalhardcore on an ibanez flying V
- Rated: 32 ↑
Jan 25, 2010 7:11 p.m. roundbadge:

Ever thoght of doing a Rick bridge?
- Rated: 328 ↑
Jan 25, 2010 11:59 p.m. Proteus:

I think it might be illegal, or at least legally actionable, to suggest any part of a Rickenbacker could be improved...

uokclan, the aluminum doesn't sound as bright and harsh as you might expect. The high end is actually kinda clean and transparent, not strident. The twang comes mostly in the midrange.

Stainless is smoother through all registers though, with more rounded highs.
- Rated: 19 ↑
Jan 26, 2010 12:07 a.m. bigsbyslur:

Hey Prot, why do you think Duane chose copper??
- Rated: 328 ↑
Jan 26, 2010 12:24 a.m. Proteus:

We didn't really talk about – I suspect it's as simple as it sounded best to him.

For most who choose copper, it's the rich texture and detail in the midrange. And from the first time I heard copper, I thought of it as "fat twang," similar to aluminum but bigger.

Be interesting to get Duane's take on it though!
- Rated: 3 ↑
Jan 27, 2010 8:37 p.m. fendertweed:

This post has been deleted
- Rated: 3 ↑
Feb 1, 2010 7:33 p.m. fendertweed:

anybody know if Proteus is around?

I sent him a private message re buying a TruArc 4-5 days ago and no reply yet....

Thanks, Jon