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Thread: Gibson Florentine/EM-200 with intonation adjustable bridge

  1. #1
    Registered User jefflester's Avatar
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    Default Gibson Florentine/EM-200 with intonation adjustable bridge

    This listing for a '59:
    https://originalvintageguitars.com/p...tric-mandolin/
    implies the "ABR-1" bridge is original. I find that hard to believe, but perhaps a custom order? I would think more likely someone machined it as a replacement.

    "The EM-200 electric mandolin shares many classic period features with contemporary Gibson electric guitars: ABR-1 bridge, gold top hat knobs, bumblebee capacitor and P-90 pickup."

    Click image for larger version. 

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  2. #2
    Registered User Peter Mix's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson Florentine/EM-200 with intonation adjustable bridge

    The original saddle on the EM200 is stainless steel with angled string slots.
    Harsh-sounding to my ear and not possible to re-cut for proper intonation.
    As well, the string-spacing is much narrower than it needs to be and cannot
    be altered.

    I had brass saddles machined to match the original in appearance but with
    straight slots that are spread wider. Very sweet sounding and in tune.
    Peter Mix
    Carbon Fiber & Kevlar Mandolins
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    Waterville, VT 05492

  3. #3
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson Florentine/EM-200 with intonation adjustable bridge

    Here's the original bridge saddle from my '64 EM-200.
    Click image for larger version. 

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    I thought it was brass but nevertheless it gave me headache to play it. It rang too much. I guess that Gibson figured electric guitars do great with a metal saddles so why not electric mandolins. In any case, I replaced the saddle with a rosewood compensated one and it was nice and playable after that.

    Here's a recording I made years ago with this mandolin through a Fender Vibrolux Reverb (also from 1964):

    Jim

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  5. #4

    Default Re: Gibson Florentine/EM-200 with intonation adjustable bridge

    Nice tune - sounds single course?

  6. #5
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson Florentine/EM-200 with intonation adjustable bridge

    Quote Originally Posted by Thumbler View Post
    Nice tune - sounds single course?
    No double course.
    Jim

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  7. #6
    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson Florentine/EM-200 with intonation adjustable bridge

    The EM200 in question is also in the Classifieds and described as "all original," which it definitely isn't.

    There's another EM200 in the Classifieds with what appears to be a compensated aluminum saddle from a 1921 acoustic Gibson!
    Emando.com: More than you wanted to know about electric mandolins.

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  8. #7
    Registered User jefflester's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson Florentine/EM-200 with intonation adjustable bridge

    Quote Originally Posted by mrmando View Post
    The EM200 in question is also in the Classifieds and described as "all original," which it definitely isn't.
    Where I came across it, of course!

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