2TEK Bridge Installation Instructions and Templates

OriginalKeyster · #1 11-02-2009, 04:51 PM

Greetings! A year or two ago I acquired an older style NOS 5-string 2TEK bass bridge complete with installation instructions and plexi templates (for 4-string, 5-string narrow and 5-string wide). I thought that since this stuff seems to otherwise be made of unobtainium I would post them here. Keep in mind that 2TEK bridge installation is not for the faint of heart. Enjoy!

OriginalKeyster · #2 11-02-2009, 04:54 PM

And now for the templates...

OriginalKeyster · #3 11-03-2009, 07:56 PM

Now y'all know what I know, but feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

T-Bird · #4 11-04-2009, 11:15 PM

Hi.

I doubt that I'll ever get my hands on a 2Tek, or even see one in person, but I for one am thankful for people like You.

Thanks for posting this hard to obtain information, I'm sure that someone, somewhere, will benefit from it.

Regards
Sam

Beej · #5 11-04-2009, 11:34 PM

You mean like, maybe the guy who ends up buying the bridge the OP has for sale that this entire thread is oh-so-cleverly advertising?

dmusic148 · #6 11-04-2009, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beej

You mean like, maybe the guy who ends up buying the bridge the OP has for sale that this entire thread is oh-so-cleverly advertising?

So what? He's a supporting member- he can be as clever as he wants!!!

Beej · #7 11-04-2009, 11:44 PM

True enough. With or without your endorsement...

OriginalKeyster · #8 11-05-2009, 06:55 AM

Uh-oh, guess I'm busted! However, the 2TEK is no longer for sale as I have discovered that the resonator plate is slightly bent. Curses!!!

Beej · #9 11-05-2009, 07:11 PM

That's a bummer. Any way to repair it?

OriginalKeyster · #10 11-06-2009, 06:39 AM

Maybe... I think I know where the vertex of the bend is, now just gotta find a method.

SGD Lutherie · #11 11-06-2009, 08:51 AM

Can you post some photos of the bridge. I've always been curious about those bridges.

OriginalKeyster · #12 11-06-2009, 09:19 AM

Here are pics of the bridge with the bent resonator plate. The pics are from the ebay auction I won.

OriginalKeyster · #13 11-06-2009, 09:21 AM

These are of my other 5-string 2TEK. I have never run across another one in black with the natural brass saddles. It will soon be installed on my spare Peavey GV.

BigOldHarry · #14 11-06-2009, 09:24 AM

I had forgotten that these things were even out there... I recall asking my tech to look into installing on in a bass I had... He could do it, but the cost was rather much for what amounts to a fancy bridge.... That they disappeared did not shock me. But good luck with your project!

OriginalKeyster · #15 11-06-2009, 09:24 AM

Here are pics of a 4-string bridge installed on my Moses Graphite neck-equipped FrankenFender. It sounds killer! All three of these bridges are of the older style. I guess there is a newer style with straighter "tonal fingers" that seems to be common on the Hamer Cruise basses.

OriginalKeyster · #16 11-06-2009, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

I had forgotten that these things were even out there... I recall asking my tech to look into installing on in a bass I had... He could do it, but the cost was rather much for what amounts to a fancy bridge.... That they disappeared did not shock me. But good luck with your project!

Thank you!!

It does not surprise me that they disappeared, either. Thankfully, I have a friend who is an aircraft cabinet builder who is installing these for me in exchange for my work on his BMWs.

Murphys Law · #17 11-06-2009, 05:51 PM

So... what is it with these Bridges actually?

Apart from beeing really bloody big I can't see anything too special on these. The sheer mass will of course act as a nice sustainer...

SGD Lutherie · #18 11-06-2009, 08:16 PM

Yeah, it's a lot of mass, and seems like they are going for a tuned decoupling from the body.

Alembic does a similar thing with the heavy brass inertia block they place under the bridge.

Bass Junkie · #19 11-06-2009, 08:23 PM

Mike Lull has probably installed more of these than anyone else that I know of. His shop and the company that sold these were very close to each other.

OriginalKeyster · #20 11-07-2009, 05:13 PM

I used a short handle sledge to tap the plate back into submission with great success.