Original Gibson ABR-1 Bridge Patent Number & Tailpiece – Correct for 1968 Les Paul Custom / Early 1969 – 50s Tooling

Original Gibson ABR-1 Patent Number Bridge & Stop Bar Tailpiece – Correct for 1968 Les Paul Custom / Early 1969

This listing is for an original Gibson ABR-1 bridge with nylon saddles stamped “PAT NO 2,740,313”, paired with an original Gibson stop bar tailpiece, correct for 1968 Les Paul Custom and early 1969 examples produced at the Kalamazoo factory.

Both parts are original late-1960s Gibson hardware. During this period Gibson continued using earlier casting tooling for certain components, which is why some construction details resemble earlier Gibson production methods.

The stop bar tailpiece shows the characteristic circular sprue marks on the front face of the tailpiece, created during the original casting process. A short casting mold seam from the manufacturing process is also visible. These details are typical of vintage Gibson stop bar production.

The ABR-1 bridge features the PAT NO 2,740,313 stamp and nylon saddles, specifications commonly used by Gibson during the late 1960s Norlin transition era.

Both pieces show natural vintage wear and patina consistent with authentic late-1960s Gibson hardware.

Finding an original matching bridge and stop bar tailpiece set from this period is increasingly difficult, especially examples retaining their original finish and correct late-1960s construction details.

Key Features

• Original Gibson ABR-1 bridge stamped PAT NO 2,740,313

• Correct nylon saddles used by Gibson in the late 1960s

• Original Gibson stop bar tailpiece

• Lightweight aluminum construction typical of vintage Gibson stop bars

• Circular sprue marks visible on the front face of the tailpiece from the casting process

• Short casting mold seam line from the original production mold

• Natural vintage wear and patina

Correct For

• 1968 Gibson Les Paul Custom

• Early 1969 Gibson Les Paul Custom

• Other late-1960s Gibson guitars using ABR-1 bridge and stop bar tailpiece hardware