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Post subject: Bridge/saddle switch & screw hole wear
Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2011 2:41 pm
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Hi there -- I'm considering swapping my modern bridge with a vintage, and I think I've read every pros & con thread on the interwebs by now. :-) One question I've not seen asked is whether swapping the bridge (let's assume the holes all line up perfectly) "weakens" the connection to the guitar body? So, simply by removing and screwing back in, does this weaken the connection and the bridge might loosen over time from normal usage. Subsequently, if I decide I don't find much benefit in the vintage, and swap it back, could that make it worse?

Anyway, kind of a weird question, but thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Ashley


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Post subject: Re: Bridge/saddle switch & screw hole wear
Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2011 3:38 pm
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I remember worrying about stuff like this.

IF it caused any trouble, there are many ways to rectify it.
Glue, toothpicks, larger screws, et cetera.

I really hope you are not sweating "transferring vibrations to the body?"
The whole idea is the body should be isolated from the string - from between the nut to the bridge is the ONLY place where the strings should be vibrating.

If you are worried that the screws won't grip as well, remember the strings are keeping the tension down on the whole assembly.
(Think about a guitar with a floating bridge)


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Post subject: Re: Bridge/saddle switch & screw hole wear
Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2011 6:56 pm
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aroach wrote:
Question: Whether swapping the bridge (let's assume the holes all line up perfectly) "weakens" the connection to the guitar body? So, simply by removing and screwing back in, does this weaken the connection and the bridge might loosen over time from normal usage?

Not unless you somehow find a way to strip the screw holes, which is generally impossible if you use any degree of common sense.

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Post subject: Re: Bridge/saddle switch & screw hole wear
Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2011 11:10 pm
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MickJagger wrote:
aroach wrote:
Question: Whether swapping the bridge (let's assume the holes all line up perfectly) "weakens" the connection to the guitar body? So, simply by removing and screwing back in, does this weaken the connection and the bridge might loosen over time from normal usage?

Not unless you somehow find a way to strip the screw holes, which is generally impossible if you use any degree of common sense.


+1...The main thing to remember when using screws to fasten anything to wood is to not over-tighten. If you did end up stripping the hole out, a set of slightly larger (diameter) screws with coarse threads would remedy the problem quickly and easily.

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Post subject: Re: Bridge/saddle switch & screw hole wear
Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2011 2:41 am
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Glue and toothpicks will do the job : never use bigger screws. keep looking original


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Post subject: Re: Bridge/saddle switch & screw hole wear
Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2011 6:08 am
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You should not ever have a problem if : when reinserting screws, you turn the counter-clockwise until you feel the screw engage the original threads, then turn the screw clockwise so you then tighten the screw following the original thread cuts in the wood. Then, simply do not over tighten the screw ! :D Worst case scenario, you strip out the hole, then remove everything near the bridge, drill the hole to accept a hardwood dowel, and cut and glue in a piece of hardwood dowel. Then simply drill your new hole and you are back in business, and being under the bridge plate, no one would know unless you told them!


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Post subject: Re: Bridge/saddle switch & screw hole wear
Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 1:16 pm
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I'd go the glue and toothpick route too if the hole by some chance became enlarged. However if you don't over tighten there's little chance of stripping out the hole.Using larger screws could cause problems because if they became stripped you'd have to go larger still to replace them or use the glue and toothpicks which should've been used in the first place.BTW if you find that you have trouble getting the screw to go in becauseit seems too tight coat the thread of the screws with bar soap by just turning the screw into a bar of soap.

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Post subject: Re: Bridge/saddle switch & screw hole wear
Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 3:46 pm
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aroach wrote:
Question: Whether swapping the bridge (let's assume the holes all line up perfectly) "weakens" the connection to the guitar body? So, simply by removing and screwing back in, does this weaken the connection and the bridge might loosen over time from normal usage?

Not unless you somehow find a way to strip the screw holes, WHICH IS GENERALLY IMPOSSIBLE IF YOU USE ANY DEGREE OF COMMON SENSE.

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Post subject: Re: Bridge/saddle switch & screw hole wear
Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 1:23 pm
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Thanks everyone for the replies!

Ashley


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Post subject: Re: Bridge/saddle switch & screw hole wear
Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2011 7:32 am
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Since there's so much commentary on the topic, and to give back to the helpful community here, I thought I'd try to do a before and after test with the modern and vintage bridges. I tried to control variables as much as possible, but one thing that I failed to do was to measure the bridge pickup height. My test was done with an SCXD on the clear channel, volume at 2. My tele volume was set at about 75% and tone about 50%. UPDATE: Also, I tried to use the same strings as the stock ones Fender 250 9s.

I can't say that I hear a huge difference between the two bridges, maybe a tiny bit warmer on the vintage, but would certainly appreciate any opinions. As you can also tell, it didn't make a world of difference in my playing ability between before and after. ;-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JL-dlfT3kU

Hope this helps another person who's considering doing this mod.

Best,

Ashley


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Post subject: Re: Bridge/saddle switch & screw hole wear
Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2011 11:56 pm
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aroach wrote:
I can't say that I hear a huge difference between the two bridges, maybe a tiny bit warmer on the vintage, but would certainly appreciate any opinions. As you can also tell, it didn't make a world of difference in my playing ability between before and after. ;-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JL-dlfT3kU

I have always thought that the bridge is a component that affects the tone and sustain of the guitar the least.

I have used a "modern style" five saddle top loader bridge since 1983. These bridges are regularly criticized for inferior tone and sustain because the strings do not pass through the body, or because the six bridge saddles of the modern bridge have less mass than traditional three barrel, brass bridge saddles, or because three barrel saddles have more down force pressure than do six individual saddles.

I personally think that all of this is basically nonsense, and that any tone variation between bridges is so small and insignificant as to be non-perceptible in a real world application with effects pedals, loud amplification, different pickups, different body wood and different fret board construction.

And I think that solid body, electric guitar wood type, and the various fretboard constructions have a minimal effect on tone in a real world application, but it is more than the variation between bridge type. Solid body, electric guitar wood type, and the various fretboard constructions effect on tone are most notable when the electric guitar is played acoustically.


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Post subject: Re: Bridge/saddle switch & screw hole wear
Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2011 11:15 am
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I hear a bit of difference between the two sound samples, but it sounds to me like the fresh strings were where the warmer tone came from. Especially considering the difference was much more in the neck position than bridge position. IMO of course.

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