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Post subject: Bridge Messed Up?
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 8:41 pm
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I recently re-strung my new Tele, replacing the factory strings w/ Ernie Ball Super Slinky's. But the high E string, especially when I play up the neck, feels weird like it's not strung properly. Maybe it's just the "new string" buzz, I thought: That's when I looked at the bridge. The bridge supporting this string is tilted vs. the other two, which are straight (see: photo 1). There's also a screw (see: photo 2 -- closest screw facing camera) that's almost popping out. Is it supposed to be like this?

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Post subject: Re: Bridge Messed Up?
Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 9:38 pm
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Have you done a proper setup of the guitar with the new strings? Yes, in a three-saddle bridge the two outside saddles can end up tilted if they are properly adusted to follow the radius of the neck. The strings shouldn't buzz if the guitar is set up properly.

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Last edited by bluesky636 on Wed Aug 08, 2012 9:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Bridge Messed Up?
Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 1:11 am
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Just need a properly set up if it buzz , saddles are normal


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Post subject: Re: Bridge Messed Up?
Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 6:36 pm
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What's a set up entail?


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Post subject: Re: Bridge Messed Up?
Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 9:46 pm
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rsherid wrote:
What's a set up entail?


Learn to do it yourself:

http://www.fender.com/support/articles/ ... etup-guide

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Post subject: Re: Bridge Messed Up?
Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 3:59 am
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bluesky636 wrote:
rsherid wrote:
What's a set up entail?


Learn to do it yourself:

http://www.fender.com/support/articles/ ... etup-guide


Learning to do it yourself is fine, but I've found that unless you have strobe tuner or perfect pitch, it's very difficult to get the intonation correct. Having only three saddles doesn't help any.

I'd go to a proper luthier (avoiding GC all together).


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Post subject: Re: Bridge Messed Up?
Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 4:00 am
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[quote="rsherid"]I recently re-strung my new Tele, replacing the factory strings w/ Ernie Ball Super Slinky's. But the high E string, especially when I play up the neck, feels weird like it's not strung properly. Maybe it's just the "new string" buzz, I thought: That's when I looked at the bridge. The bridge supporting this string is tilted vs. the other two, which are straight (see: photo 1). There's also a screw (see: photo 2 -- closest screw facing camera) that's almost popping out. Is it supposed to be like this?

Looking at the photos it looks like the your E string is touching the bridge pickup.


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Post subject: Re: Bridge Messed Up?
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 11:08 am
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Thanks for all the tips. Not new to playing guitar, but new to having a new one :)


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Post subject: Re: Bridge Messed Up?
Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 11:14 am
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The saddles don't seem too far out of adjustment other than the height of the first string as you have noticed. My guess is that the adjustment screw's threads on that end of the saddle are looser than the others and the bridge saddle has dropped down from vibration during play, shipping, or whatever. I doubt it left the factory that way.

You could raise that saddle end as a simple adjustment to see if the problem goes away. The strings/saddles typically reflect the curvature of the fretboard. Determine if you have a vintage 7.5" radius board or if it's a modern 9.5" or other radius. Then you can use a string curvature gauge such as:

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Speci ... auges.html

to raise the low side of that saddle to match the curvature of the appropriate gauge (loosen the string tension a bit first).

You can get a cheaper version of the gauge from Dan Erlewine's book "How to Make Your Electric Guitar Play Great!" There are pop out gauges included with the book. In addition, the book will give you some set up procedures you may find useful.

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Post subject: Re: Bridge Messed Up?
Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 3:38 pm
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Looks to me like a simple adjustment. Just tighten the allen head screw to raise the saddle that's too low, check the string height at the middle of the neck, and play on. :idea:

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