Every now and then Grover bridges are mentioned with comments that some are good and some are not. Never any mention of how, or why so if you're curious:
Here's a couple of them from them days good ol' days of yore, probably 50~70ies. Other than that the font size differs, they look pretty much the same, both are 5/8" (15.9 mm) tall.
The real diff though:
It sure looks like the thickness and weight, during manufacturing, were pretty much "catch of the day" and explains why they sound & perform different. And, yeah, the string slotting is kinda primitive all right.
Bridges have come such a very long way since 
Edited by - Bart Veerman on 06/10/2023 12:08:16
Grover outsourced a lot of manufacturing — even back in the day. Waverly was one of many companies that made "Grover" products. This was discovered after StewMac bought Waverly and looked through the machinery, most of which they scrapped, unfortunately.
I used to buy StewMac bridges rather than Grovers.
I remember excessively thick ebony tops on Grovers and better proportions on StewMacs.
Bart you're absolutely right that bridges have come a long way. It's a bummer that the best bridges ever made aren't available anymore though! 
Edited by - KCJones on 06/10/2023 21:15:31
I'm amazed that those old Grovers weigh 1.5 and 1.9 grams—they look heavier than that.
quote:
Originally posted by Ken LeVanI'm amazed that those old Grovers weigh 1.5 and 1.9 grams—they look heavier than that.
The current crop is heavier all right. These ones though, especially after what Mike wrote about them, makes you wonder what wood species they actually even are. Who knows, the woods might be genuine imitation ebony and maple inspired lumber...
quote:
Originally posted by Bart Veermanquote:
Originally posted by Ken LeVanI'm amazed that those old Grovers weigh 1.5 and 1.9 grams—they look heavier than that.
The current crop is heavier all right. These ones though, especially after what Mike wrote about them, makes you wonder what wood species they actually even are. Who knows, the woods might be genuine imitation ebony and maple inspired lumber...
By the way, these bridges appear to be original, no hints of them having been sanded thinner
Edited by - Bart Veerman on 06/11/2023 07:12:04
Speaking of lighter,Grover's "Heydays" were the times of rock-hard heads and glass-breaking notes.
