Bridge issue!!!

blister179 · #1 06-17-2010, 06:32 PM

Hi i'm still learning about how to repair and maintain basses and i have an issue with the bridge on my Ibanez SR706 (6 string). For some reason when i play for about an hours worth or so the bridge piece that adjust the action (saddle?) gradually unscrews lowering the action. This is mainly done on my high C and Low B and i'm guess with the string vibration. Is it just a matter of applying some sort of adhesive to the screws?

And another small issueis my D string is literally not a loud as the other strings is this a matter off pick up heigh adjustment?

Thanks to all that can help!

Peace.

Doodaddy · #2 06-17-2010, 06:51 PM

That's very odd. I wouldn't go with "adhesive", but a small dap of Loktite should help. I would be more curious about why the screws are loosening in the first place, but the Loktite should at least keep the screws in place without freezing them.

Doodaddy · #3 06-17-2010, 06:52 PM

Loktite should be available at pretty much any hardware store or probably even Walmart.

FunkMetalBass · #4 06-17-2010, 06:55 PM

You can probably find new set-screws for it. I'd look for those before I threw any glue in there.

You can also shove stuff underneath the saddle, depending on how high it is. Under a Fender saddle, I stuck a bit of wood and a few layers of business cards. The string tension held it down, and it wasn't permanent.

blister179 · #5 06-19-2010, 09:24 PM

Ok thanks alot for your help i'll try that. If it does'nt work out i'll just take it into the shop and get it repaired.

Would you have any reason as to why the string has less volume?

Thanks for any advice.

ehque · #6 06-20-2010, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blister179

Would you have any reason as to why the string has less volume?

It is possible it is simply a bad string, or it is adjusted too high.

Rebmo · #7 06-20-2010, 10:56 AM

If the adjust screws are loose fitting (which it seems is your problem), you don't have a firm bridge saddle support for those strings and it may distort or dampen the string vibrations. Not sure without seeing, but this may be your problem.You want a firm bridge & nut so the string can do it's thing.

Rick Auricchio · #8 06-20-2010, 11:05 AM

If you use Loctite, use the lightest strength available. I've used the blue #242 for general use, and I should get some of the lighter #222 purple. I believe they specify the product by the sizes of the screws you should use it for. You don't want it so tight you destroy a screw trying to loosen it.

Some of them require heat to loosen, and those would be bad news.

Doodaddy · #9 06-20-2010, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Auricchio

If you use Loctite, use the lightest strength available. I've used the blue #242 for general use, and I should get some of the lighter #222 purple. I believe they specify the product by the sizes of the screws you should use it for. You don't want it so tight you destroy a screw trying to loosen it.

Some of them require heat to loosen, and those would be bad news.

I've never had it tighten to that extent, but I normally only put a literal drop on the threads. Loktite would stop the screw from backing out, but I think it would only be a bandaid and wouldn't fix the problem sadly.

PJSShearer · #10 06-21-2010, 08:09 AM

Try clear nail polish - it sets hard but can be easily "cracked" if you need to move it in the future - and it can be disolved in acetone if necessary. I'm told that trapping some knitting wool in the threads tightens things up as well.

Danhole · #11 06-26-2010, 03:48 AM

I had this exact same problem with my mexican jazz fender. When I was skint I just got some thread and pushed it through the saddle. Screwed the nut in over the thread and that worked, actually that worked for a couple years. It recently got so bad that I bought a new set of saddles. The exact same thing happened. I think I'm going to try the nail varnish technique instead though. I have two gigs to play today so hope it works.