Melita Guitar Bridge 1st Version For Vintage Gretsch Guitars - Pat Pending 1950s

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Rare Early Pre-Patent Melita Bridge – Original Design as used on classic Gretsch guitars.

This is the original Melita bridge design, created before the patent was obtained. It features several key differences compared to the more common version that followed, which is still being produced today.

• Machined from a Single Piece of Aluminum: Unlike the later models that use a platted pot metal base, this early version is machined from a solid piece of aluminum. This provides significantly better note transference and sustain.
• Low-Profile Screws for Palm Muting: The screws on this early version are low-profile, allowing for smooth palm muting. This is a major advantage over the later models, where the larger screws protrude and get in the way of palm muting.
• Solid Rosewood Bridge Feet: Instead of the plastic feet found in later versions, this bridge is equipped with solid rosewood feet, enhancing its tone and overall quality.

This bridge was shipped to a customer recently. He returned it because it was his opinion that there were two thumbwheels missing. This bridge was working on a guitar when we got it, so in my opinion it is a workable piece as-is, but as I like to lean on full disclosure, here is that customer's statement: "The first generation aluminum models had two thumb wheel per side as in the pics I’ve included. I did see that this one didn’t have those but thought the second gen wheels might fit. Unfortunately they do not."

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