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Post subject: PJ 555
Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2014 6:52 pm
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I have 4 string Fender Jazz Bass Special MIJ. I managed to strip both the intonation and string height adjustment on the saddle. Since I can't find a replacement saddle, I am forced to by a new bridge. The original bridge uses 4 mounting screws. Any suggestions?


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Post subject: Re: PJ 555
Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2014 7:24 pm
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Not sure if this will help...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chrome-Vintage- ... 540066869a

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Post subject: Re: PJ 555
Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2014 11:57 pm
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You could also consider replacing all the saddles and this way keep the original bridge. I would think as long as the bridge has a provision for a saddle then any bass saddle should work as long as you have or it comes with the right size screws.

Maybe something like this which might actually be an upgrade...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Graph-Tech-Stri ... 4621f40b5a

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Post subject: Re: PJ 555
Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2014 11:50 am
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Lesson learned-

Use good tools and take your time on basses.

Don't force a tool to do something its not designed for.

Take a picture of your bridge and display it here so that we can advise you on replacement parts. If the parts that are stripped are generic screws and bolts we can rec. replacement parts so that you keep your original bridge intact.

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Post subject: Re: PJ 555
Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2014 3:40 pm
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http://imgur.com/EiBE5EV


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Post subject: Re: PJ 555
Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2014 10:22 pm
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CalEliteCoach wrote:


That saddle looks familiar to me. I think they were used on an aftermarket bridge I got for my old Musicman because I was playing it too hard an were causing the strings to come off the saddles of the factory bridge during playing on stage and of course could not have that. Thing is it was quite a while ago and I sold the bass with the original bridge like 5 years ago and then sold the heavy bridge too. I forgot what brand it was....

Give me a few....

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Post subject: Re: PJ 555
Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2014 10:32 pm
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Okay back. I am 99.99% sure it was a Wilkinson badass bridge. The saddles looked a lot like this but a bit different since this is a new one and mine was from the early 90s when I replaced it...

Image

As you can see they are not exactly like yours but pretty darn close and could work. Might even gain a little sustain from the increased mass. The thing is even though you can get the bridge and saddles I am not sure if they sell the saddles separately. Sorry it may not be of much help unless you buy the entire bridge just to use the saddles (although you can try calling Wilkinson). If you wanted to use the entire bridge you would need to redrill the bass. As well if you play hard as I found out...yes it kept the strings on the saddle perfectly unlike the stock MM ones did, but I was busting the provisions that hold the string itself by the ball and had to redrill that area to make it a "string through" instead of the "claw" for lack of a better term. Although before I broke the claws I loved it as it made changing strings a breeze. I could wrap the peg first..then just put the ball end in the claw and tune. Seconds.

Of course another option is to re-tap the ones you stripped out and get new oversize screws. Any good guitar repair shop or machinist should be able to do that...even a hobbyist if he/she has the right tools and skill.

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Last edited by ebaysux on Fri Jun 27, 2014 10:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: PJ 555
Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2014 10:51 pm
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After searching the net, I found some bridges very close to the original. Gotoh or Wilkinson. It would be ideal to just replace the saddle and not the whole bridge. The bridge plate is also mounted with only 4 screws. Most of the new bridges use 5 or an offset 4.


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Post subject: Re: PJ 555
Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2014 11:02 pm
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CalEliteCoach wrote:
After searching the net, I found some bridges very close to the original. Gotoh or Wilkinson. It would be ideal to just replace the saddle and not the whole bridge. The bridge plate is also mounted with only 4 screws. Most of the new bridges use 5 or an offset 4.


Well if you can't get the correct saddle you need to replace them all, have the stripped one repaired, or replace the entire bridge. Honestly it is a really nice bass but it is not some really old vintage priceless ax that has to be original. If anything upgrading the bridge could make an MIM or MIJ be worth more. And as long as the new bridge covers any extra holes which it should..no one but you would know it was redrilled. It certainly will not hurt the playability or sound...could even help if it is a better bridge.

It seems to be a very unique bridge and that may make it next to impossible to find an exact saddle. Now if it was a standard or Fender vintage type you would have found hundreds of them on eBay.

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