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650c Bridges changed?

Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 4:17 pm
by clearblue
I was looking at an online dealer and they have two 650c models for sale. Fireglo and Mid. The bridge looks slightly different on the Mid Blue. Have the bridges changed on this model?

Re: 650c Bridges changed?

Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 5:51 pm
by squid
I remember reading a post by John Hall about the passing of the ABM mastermind. Apologies for not remembering his name. ABM bridges were featured on the 650's and the 380L. When that gentleman died, the ABM designs went with him. I haven't seen the guitars you're speaking of (I'm about to go looking), but in light of ABM's dilemma, it wouldn't surprise me to see different bridges on these models. Supply is likely very low. I know I've looked for ABM products for various projects, and they're getting tougher to find.

Re: 650c Bridges changed?

Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 6:51 pm
by ken_j
My former 650C had an ABM bridge but the owners manual showed a Schaller bridge pictured. I have never seen a 650 with a Schaller but they may have been built that way early on.

Dan can you provide us with a link?

Re: 650c Bridges changed?

Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 9:05 pm
by clearblue

Re: 650c Bridges changed?

Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 9:13 pm
by ken_j
The bridge on the Midnight Blue 650 appears to have a Schaller bridge.
Schaller_Non-Tremolo_Roller_Bridge_Detail.jpg

Re: 650c Bridges changed?

Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 9:27 pm
by clearblue
Wow, you are fast. :) Is one better that the other?

Re: 650c Bridges changed?

Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 11:09 pm
by squid
Tough to beat Schaller parts for quality, at least in my opinion. I doubt that the Schaller would make much difference in terms of sound.

Re: 650c Bridges changed?

Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 12:31 am
by grazioso
abm is back under new management and from berlin. they are slowly starting to ship some items again, by septemeber it should be all available again. so for those of us who like their products it is quite good news.

Re: 650c Bridges changed?

Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 1:25 pm
by clearblue
What is the screw on the side of the Schaller bridge for? A tremolo arm?

Re: 650c Bridges changed?

Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 1:51 pm
by jingle_jangle
RIC is switching to Schallers on these.

Re: 650c Bridges changed?

Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 2:32 pm
by clearblue
Looks like it will be on my new one. :)

Re: 650c Bridges changed?

Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 5:43 pm
by johnhall
We have, in fact, switched to Schaller for these parts, simply because there was no supply of the ABM parts.

I find it exceedingly strange that any new owners of ABM would not have contacted the major OEM customers of the previous firm; we've heard nothing at all from them. We were told that the company had previously been entirely liquidated and all equipment sold. Perhaps the most shocked about that development was Schaller, as they told me that they would have liked very much to acquire ABM but were advised there simply was nothing left shortly following the death of Klaus Mueller.

Re: 650c Bridges changed?

Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 6:59 pm
by sloop_john_b
I saw a whole bunch of brand new 650's today at POTR; about half were ABM and half were Schaller. All cool. :)

Re: 650c Bridges changed?

Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 7:47 pm
by jps
And, what were you doing at POTR? Fess up, what did you buy?

Re: 650c Bridges changed?

Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 8:02 pm
by sloop_john_b
jps wrote:And, what were you doing at POTR? Fess up, what did you buy?
Two new jacks, $20 total.