Gibson three point bridge

Gibson three-point adjustable combination bridge. Introduced in mid 1973, and still in use today. This bridge is a sturdy, heavy-duty unit which overcomes the tendency of its predecessor to tip forward, by having an extra post at the front. There are three posts: two 36mm long, and one slightly shorter centre post, that varied a little over the course of production. The one pictured here is about 34 mm long.

The bridge pictured in the first image has black plastic surrounds to each post hole - though this is the exception rather than the rule.

The underside of the bridge unit has no markings, however the numbers 1 to 4 appear on the underside of each saddle, indicating which string each saddle is designed for. E=4, A=3, D=2, G=1. There are numerous reproductions of this bridge by various manufacturers, and many are difficult to distinguish from the original at a glance - however the posts often have a different thread and may not fit into the same bushings, and saddles are typically not the same sizes either.

As used on the EB-0, EB-3, EB-4L, Thunderbird, SB-350/SB-450, Ripper, RD series basses, Les Paul Signature and Les Paul Triumph from 1973 onwards.

One great advantage of this bridge is that it may be used simply as a bridge, with the strings anchored through the guitars body, or as a combined bridge/tailpiece. Both the Ripper and RD basses had this string through functionality. When strung only from the bridge, strings should not have silk windings that extend as far as the saddles - see picture 4.

The final picture in this series shows an EB bass fitted with this bridge, but with extra springs added to the saddle screws, behind the saddle itself. This is an aftermarket modification that can help reduce any buzzing/rattling from the saddles when the bass is played.