2500 bridge pulls off the body, what now?

**Chef** · #1 06-11-2006, 11:38 AM

Went to pull my 2500 Tribute out of the case for practice time, and the bridge has pulled off the body. String thru bridge, just one screw on each end of the bridge holding it on. It was strung thru the bridge, not the body. They've both pulled out, leaving the bridge dangling on the strings...???? What do I do now? I bought it used about 8 months ago...dang!

**Chef** · #2 06-11-2006, 03:55 PM

Here's a pic, you can see the wood that pulled out on the screw threads.

ArwinH · #3 06-11-2006, 07:32 PM

Wow, I'd like to see how this resolves, I'm interested in an l2000 tribbie right now.

Sorry to hear the bad news, hopefuly it was a fluke taht you'll get some help with.

Nino Valenti · #4 06-11-2006, 07:37 PM

WOW!!!!!!

Off the top of my head, I would say it may be a couple of things.

The body wood is too soft ans the Screw's threads have nothing "solid" to grip on to.

They drilled the holes too big and, again, the Screw's threads have nothing to grip on to.

Trevorus · #5 06-11-2006, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nino Valenti

WOW!!!!!!

Off the top of my head, I would say it may be a couple of things.

The body wood is too soft ans the Screw's threads have nothing "solid" to grip on to.

They drilled the holes too big and, again, the Screw's threads have nothing to grip on to.

Maybe take this to a luthier for some hardwood dowling and redrill. That is, if the bridge can't fit a bigger screw.

**Chef** · #6 06-11-2006, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nino Valenti

WOW!!!!!!

Off the top of my head, I would say it may be a couple of things.

The body wood is too soft ans the Screw's threads have nothing "solid" to grip on to.

They drilled the holes too big and, again, the Screw's threads have nothing to grip on to.

Ideas for a fix? Drill and dowel?

lpdeluxe · #7 06-12-2006, 07:44 AM

That ought to work. A tight-fitting dowel in a hole made to size on a drill press, with modern glues, will be stronger than the original wood.

I responded to your pulled-bridge query on another thread: I noted that the Fender American Deluxe 4-saddle bridge I used to replace the replica bridge on my '51 P RI is held on with only 3 screws. While it offers bridge- or through-body string loading, I went with the through-body on the theory that the strings would be holding the bridge down, rather than trying to pry it off. Doesn't the L2.5K have a string-through option? In your place, I'd sure be tempted to use it after losing the bridge like that.

**Chef** · #8 06-12-2006, 10:56 AM

On this bass there are no screws missing. There are 5 holes for the string thru body option that lead thru the body to ferrules in the back. There are also 5 holes in the bridge for a string thru bridge option. Why in the world G&L would put holes in the bridge if this was going to be the end result I can't speak to. No screws have been removed from this bass.
On both my 1981's, with no string thru the body option, yes, there are additional screws holding the bridge on. Not in this case with the string thru body option.
One could argue, and rightly so probably, that this might not have happened when strung thru the body. But, again, why are there string thru bridge holes if they're not meant to be used? There's nothing in the owners manual that would indicate that this should be avoided due to the disastrous results that followed...

From the G&L website:
"G&L Saddle Lock with player's choice of string through bridge or body configurations; chrome-plated brass saddles"

lug · #9 06-12-2006, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chef

On this bass there are no screws missing. There are 5 holes for the string thru body option that lead thru the body to ferrules in the back. There are also 5 holes in the bridge for a string thru bridge option. Why in the world G&L would put holes in the bridge if this was going to be the end result I can't speak to. No screws have been removed from this bass.
On both my 1981's, with no string thru the body option, yes, there are additional screws holding the bridge on. Not in this case with the string thru body option.
One could argue, and rightly so probably, that this might not have happened when strung thru the body. But, again, why are there string thru bridge holes if they're not meant to be used? There's nothing in the owners manual that would indicate that this should be avoided due to the disastrous results that followed...

From the G&L website:
"G&L Saddle Lock with player's choice of string through bridge or body configurations; chrome-plated brass saddles"

Out of curiousity, does the bottom of the bridge have a metal extension that goes into a slot cut into the bodywood? I can't see on in your pic and was curious if the Tributes have this feature. Sorry about your bridge.

**Chef** · #10 06-12-2006, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lug

Out of curiousity, does the bottom of the bridge have a metal extension that goes into a slot cut into the bodywood? I can't see on in your pic and was curious if the Tributes have this feature. Sorry about your bridge.

Yessir, it does...

bradjonesbass · #11 06-15-2006, 11:23 AM

Contact G&L. Even though you bought it used, I bet they honor the warranty - do the tributes have the same 10-year warranty as the USA models?

**Chef** · #12 06-15-2006, 01:53 PM

I've called G&L, spoke to thuier customer service rep on Tuesday. I've not heard back from him. Several emails to him as well. I'm gonna phone again tonight.
I don't know the length of the Tribute warranty.

**Chef** · #13 06-15-2006, 05:56 PM

Just got off the phone, they're still looking into things...

**Chef** · #14 06-29-2006, 10:11 AM

Just a note to say that G&L emailed me that the bass was fixed, and back enroute to me.
Dunno what they did, but I'll report back when I get it...

**Chef** · #15 06-29-2006, 01:35 PM

Another update;
They doweled the holes, re-drilled, re-installed, and it's on it's way home-tracking number and all...

lug · #16 06-29-2006, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chef

Another update;
They doweled the holes, re-drilled, re-installed, and it's on it's way home-tracking number and all...

Cool beans. I've never even heard of a bridge doing this before. Did they say anything about why they thought it happened?

**Chef** · #17 06-29-2006, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lug

Cool beans. I've never even heard of a bridge doing this before. Did they say anything about why they thought it happened?

Thought I had posted this earlier, but:
Their viewpoint on this issue:
USA made 1505/2500 come with *player's choice of body,* either string thru body, *OR* string thru bridge, with all the apprpriate screws to secure the bridge to the body.
The Tribute series come with a "goes both ways bridge" and not enough screw to support the string thru bridge choice, at leat in my case!
To address this, they are planning to address the end user instructions at a minimum, and perhpas go to seperate purpose specific bridges for the Tribute series ala USA models in the longer term

I find this to be a great resolution. Kudos to G&L customer Service!

cb56 · #18 06-29-2006, 06:29 PM

looks to me, my USA L-1505 can string through body or bridge. Am I wrong?

**Chef** · #19 06-30-2006, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cb56

looks to me, my USA L-1505 can string through body or bridge. Am I wrong?

W/O seeing it, I duuno, but if it was set up like mine, I can tell you which way I'd run it

cb56 · #20 06-30-2006, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chef

W/O seeing it, I duuno, but if it was set up like mine, I can tell you which way I'd run it

I hear ya. It'll be strung through body only all the time.