QUESTION

I have a 1956 Gretsch duo Jet guitar ad it has a crazy bridge on it I am not sure what they are called. It is the most annoying thing I have ever seen. What can i use to replace it and why would Gretsch make such a stupid bridge in the first place. I do not like the normal bar bridge Gretsch uses there is no intonation adjustments.

REPLY

The Gretsch melita bridge is every mans nightmare and a parts dealers nightmare as well. I have asked myself the same question over the years and have come to no conclusion myself

In theory it has the ability to intonated well and adjust the string height very precisely but they could of made an easier design that was more user friendly. There are so many littler parts on these bridges they are easily lost when changing strings or doing repairs. The other problem is you cannot get individual parts to replace the lost ones. In the past you were forced to buy a whole new bridge or jut replace it many have just been thrown away and abandoned over the years

I cannot tell you how many vintage gretsch guitars i have seen upon close inspection have one or more replacement parts in the bridge assembly . This is a common nightmare in the melita world. Now Gretsch Reissues these bridges and you can steal a part from a new one but this has been the case for only a few years now.

The problem is if you have an expensive vintage Gresch guitar you need the bridge to retain value of the guitar so if you replace keep in the case. I would use a newer Gibson abr-1 style bridge on a wooden base. This was you are not drilling holes in top f the guitar and ruing the value. this bridge style will easily just retro fit with no mods. it Will adjust both height and intonation fine and is a working mans bridge tested and proven over the years.

The other bar bridge gretsch uses can be an option but again you have limited intonational adjustments with it. Do not drill holes on top for post or install some high tech unit it is not necessary and will destroy your instruments value. Always think ahead before  you modify any guitar .

I hope this helps and anyone out there reading this who has any old melita bridge parts e mail me I always need them . Contact me at THE PARTS DRAWER

Jim Pasch