Bass bridge screws

iassael · #1 10-03-2007, 01:24 PM

Hello! I bought a bridge from GFS however it has 4 screws and my old had 5.
What can i do to put it on the position of the old one?
Open new holes?
But where maybe more down?
thanks!

meev992 · #2 10-03-2007, 01:39 PM

you didn't buy a direct replacement bridge?

I'm assuming that your previous bridge was a fender style bridge, 5 screw bridge.

iassael · #3 10-03-2007, 02:07 PM

yes it had 5 screws....
what can i do?

meev992 · #4 10-03-2007, 02:11 PM

lol, start tapping out screw holes.

A music store, mistakingly ordered a 5 screw bridge, when I needed a 4....

when you say it has 4 screws, I'm assuming, one at every corner?

Other than that, You'll have to start drilling new holes

iassael · #5 10-03-2007, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meev992

lol, start tapping out screw holes.

A music store, mistakingly ordered a 5 screw bridge, when I needed a 4....

when you say it has 4 screws, I'm assuming, one at every corner?

Other than that, You'll have to start drilling new holes

is there any problem drilling them about 1-2cm lower (away from the fretboard) as i cannot drill them at the same height with the old ones?

meev992 · #6 10-03-2007, 03:27 PM

the same holes cannot be used?

I don't see any particular harm in doing this, but it will affect your scale-length.

Perhaps, you should find a bridge that can fit the existing holes, I wouldn't want your bass to be ruined.

iassael · #7 10-03-2007, 09:39 PM

the existing holes have different distances....

iassael · #8 10-04-2007, 03:40 AM

if i make new holes between the existing will i have problems?
For example the bridge could be departed from the body?

meev992 · #9 10-04-2007, 07:10 AM

i'm sorry, is english your primary language? I'm having trouble understanding you.

Perhaps some pictures of the bridge, and the holes, would help.

otherwise, you should get a different bridge.

iassael · #10 10-04-2007, 07:49 AM

sorry it is not...
Look i am planning to create 4 new holes in order to place the new bridge.
However is was thinking that if i make these holes between the others the bridge wouldn't be so steady.
Is this true?

meev992 · #11 10-04-2007, 08:25 AM

as long as the new holes, have been tapped out, and the screws thread properly, everything should be okay.

Pilgrim · #12 10-04-2007, 12:04 PM

If you move the bridge closer to the neck or farther away from the neck, you will change the scale length AND if you move it much, you may not be able to intonate the bass. If you move the bridge 1-2 CM? At 1 CM you are probably near the limit of the adjustment you have, unless you bought a bridge with very long adjustment screws. At 2 CM my bet is that you will not be able to intonate the instrument.

Whatever you do, DO NOT move the bridge either right or left of the original bridge's position. you will shift the strings away from the pickups and probably cause them not to align properly on the neck.

The best solution is to mount the new bridge exactly where the old one was. Also, since you seem to be a newcomer to this process, I do not recommend that you move the new bridge to a different position than the old one.

The best solution would be to return the bridge and buy one designed to mount in the same holes. There are many bridges that are made to do this.

Failing that, position the new bridge in the same position as the old one. If you need to drill new holes, do so. If these will overlap with the old holes, you MUST fill the old hole with wood before you drill. The only way to be sure this will work is to drill out the old hole to a larger diameter, insert and glue in place a hardwood plug made of dowel, trim it level with the surface (without damaging the finish - not easy) and then drill the new screw hole in the dowel.

Filling the existing holes with toothpicks or other wood is not likely to work, and you cannot drill into a hole repaired in that manner without having the drill bit go off-target.

You will be MUCH better off to get a bridge that fits.