'72 Musicmaster Bridge...Replacement parts??

[kitt kat]

Ok first post, and I'm already in dire need of help.

I just bought (like, talking three days ago) a '72 MM with some minor issues. (Yucky paint job, which I'm getting fixed; buzzy tone knob, which my boyfriend says is from a lack of a ground---??? anyone know about this, too?)

The biggest issue, though, is the bridge. I've spent about 34893024 hours looking online for an aftermarket replacement, replacement parts, a vintage one---everything's come up short. The decently priced vintage ones on eBay look ******* than mine, and the nicer ones...well, I'm not about to drop $250 on a bridge.

Basically, the bridge plate is nice and shiny; the problem comes with the saddles and its screws; there's some minor fret buzz in the upper harmonics, but my boyfriend says the screws holding the saddle are so stripped he can't raise them.

So...I'm hoping someone (anyone) here can give me some tips on suitable replacement parts...or maybe someone has an extra hanging around? I can find a ****ton of later 70s replica MM bridges, but since mine is a 72, it is the kind with two saddles and I'm really not about to drill holes into the bass body to use the 4 saddle bridge.

Thnx! (I can take pictures too, if anyone really wants to see what's wrong.)

Mod edit: please reread the usage agreement. All profanity must be fully masked.

[ponticat]

Two possibilities:
1.) If the threads of the height adjustment screws are stripped, the threads in the saddles are probably shot. Somebody with machine shop skills and tools could drill the saddles and tap threads for larger diameter screws. This could be pricey.
2.) Bronco bass saddles may interchange with your MM saddles. Buy a complete Bronco bridge assembly from basspartsresource.com. At $25.00 this would be less pricey.

[mongo2]

How about using the saddles, saddle height adjustment and intonation screws from a Squier Bronco bridge (if not the entire bridge)? The Bronco also also has a 2 saddle top loading bridge but the saddle screw threads may be different (metric) though I'm positive about that.

[mongo2]

HA!

Ponticat beat me by *that* much.

[frozilla]

You could put a Badass bridge on it possibly. I know Roy Mitchell-Cárdenas of Mute Math has one on his vintage Mustang.

[kitt kat]

whoa. that bronco bridge is pretty damn close. i even found one for cheaper than $25 on ebay...but i'm still weary. is there anywhere i could look up the measurements?

from what i can tell, they look very similar (disregarding the plate):
MM bridge

bronco bridge


i also took pictures of mine just to see if anyone had some definite diagnostic advice...



FUBAR, right?

i did find the replacement screws, but if the insides of the saddles are goners, that would be worthless to try, right?

really, though, this and the tone pot are the only think wrong with the whole thing...

...besides the ugly army green refinish. i already made an appt to get it restored back to a nice ivory. but seriously...i think worse could be wrong with it; this thing is a lifesaver for a 5'4", 110lb girl like me. yay.

thanks for all the help, already given and whatever will come

[rllefebv]

Sweet bass! I love my '78 Musicmaster! As you've noticed, the Bronco bridges' base has a different hole pattern, (5 instead of 7), but the saddles should easily switch out, allowing you to keep your old base and not have to worry about the hole pattern... There are threads around about aging chrome parts so that you could even get the new saddles looking 'distressed' if you so desired...

-robert

[mongo2]

From the looks of the pictures you posted, I'd try some Liquid Wrench on it first.

You'll most likely have to do that if you want to swap saddles anyway.

[ponticat]

Bronco saddle measurements:
Length - 1-3/8"
Diameter - 11/32"

[iguana]

Try the ones used on the Squier Musicmaster, they came to be installed with strings through body system (ala Mustang) and individual saddles.


About $20 on ebay.