collapsing saddle

amroach · #1 06-28-2009, 01:36 PM

Sorry if this has been talked about before i tried a search but couldn't find anything.

Basically the Saddle for my E string keeps collapsing on one side.

If your confused what i mean then, basically its a fender jazz bass and the one of the 2 screws that raises the action for the E string just keeps dropping when i play it.

i keep setting it back up but it seems to keep doing it quicker and more regularly, does any one know how to stop this from happening with out replacing the saddle?

TrooperFarva · #2 06-28-2009, 01:40 PM

Is the adjustment screw screwing itself out, or is it just falling out? If it's rotating on it's own, put some blue loctite on it, that'll keep it in place. You can find loctite at Autozone, NAPA, etc.

wvbass · #3 06-28-2009, 01:43 PM

Elmer's glue also works. You can find it in your kitchen drawer.

amroach · #4 06-28-2009, 01:44 PM

I think its rotating on its own, or under the pressure of playing the string, what actually is loctite?

Bassmickeyd · #5 06-28-2009, 01:45 PM

Wow, I thought about this yesterday. The problem is the screw holding the saddle unthreads from the vibration of the string when you play. Solution is one to remove the bridge undo all the screws and leave them outside till they rust a bit then put it back together and there's a good chance it won't move again. Although it will look rusty. I learned that one from a drummer who used to throw his drum lug nuts into his backyard for a few days to get the same effect. It worked for him.
#2; Remove the screw and insert a piece of thread into the hole and replace the screw. The thread will fill the threads and make it hold better. It's not permanent and does leave a mess. That's worked for me for years on an older Fender bridge that won't behave.

Freelancer · #6 06-28-2009, 02:47 PM

loctite just acts as a sealant and minor adhesive and prevents the screw from backing out on its own while still making it possible to manually remove. If your goal is to prevent a screw from backing out then loctite will be just fine. You can get it from nearly anywhere and it isn't too expensive.

As far as rusting your saddle screws a bit then reassembling, don't. You should never purposely rust a metal piece then add it back with more like metals. You'll just permanently damage your bridge in the long run, not to mention rust stains are pretty bad and potentially unhealthy.

Rock on!

-Chris

ByF · #7 06-28-2009, 03:34 PM

Yeah, and I would never admit to taking instrument repair advice from a drummer. . .

Ed

Zooberwerx · #8 06-28-2009, 03:40 PM

I read somewhere that a small drop of clear nail polish on each screw will work wonders. IIRC, it wicks down the thread, seizing it, but the bond can easily be broken when adjustments are necessary. I have no experience with this but am curious as to whether it really works.

Riis

Craig_S · #9 06-28-2009, 04:09 PM

Blue loctite. Don't get the red stuff. The blue loctite is meant to be used on screws that will need to be removed or turned again. A very little bit will do the job.

JustDavid · #10 06-28-2009, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassmickeyd

Solution is one to remove the bridge undo all the screws and leave them outside till they rust a bit then put it back together and there's a good chance it won't move again.

Pics?

number six · #11 06-28-2009, 07:17 PM

My saddles are fine but a new tech I visited Loctite'd all the screws anyway making it impossible to adjust.
He said a whack would free things up but it didn't. Stuck fast!
New saddles in transit unless I find a cure . .??

JustDavid · #12 06-28-2009, 07:23 PM

Red or blue Loctite? Very different animals.

Zooberwerx · #13 06-28-2009, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pan_of_qld

My saddles are fine but a new tech I visited Loctite'd all the screws anyway making it impossible to adjust.
He said a whack would free things up but it didn't. Stuck fast!
New saddles in transit unless I find a cure . .??

Blue Loctite is workable, red is not as it has to be heated to release. Have you tried any solvents or thread blasters (spray can)?

Riis

fenderphil · #14 06-28-2009, 07:37 PM

replace the saddle or the bridge entirely.

i had a MIM that i used to put into a gig bag for our shows. the same thing kept happening to me. I found out that my bass got squished one nite after a gig, and the bridge saddle became stripped..

after that, I went to hardcases

LarryO · #15 06-29-2009, 09:14 AM

Really ??? it took 12 posts for someone to reccommend replacing the faulty part? I am all for home remedies but we are talking about a small inexpensive allen screw. I say replace the allen screw, you may want to do all of them or replace the saddle, or all the saddles or the entire bridge....using glue probably would prevent "sliping" but you may loose the ability to adjust the saddle. Promoting rust on a piece of metal is never good, to me thats like letting termites do a chamber/ routing job to reduce weight. Just replace the faulty hardware. here is a link if your local hardware and or electronics store doesnt have the right size

http://www.fender.com/products/searc...tno=0047663049

dmusic148 · #16 06-29-2009, 09:22 AM

Even blue Loctite is too much for tiny screws like that. Purple might be OK, it's weaker than blue.
Best bet is RTV(silicone). It doesn't harden but remains rubbery, works great. I've done this several times.

GeoffByrne · #17 06-29-2009, 10:09 AM

I used plumber's silicon tape. Works a treat providing (as mentioned above) you still have threads.

stflbn · #18 06-29-2009, 10:12 AM

I'd probably try a bit of plumbers tape to tighten it up. Also works great on knobs that seem to pull off easy.

Bassmickeyd · #19 06-29-2009, 10:48 AM

Replace it, replace it, replace it.......
What a throw away mentality.
It's one little screw but it's just slipping from a vibration. .....
One little thread in the hole a touch of white glue and it's as good as new. .....
For the people with more money than brains.

Zooberwerx · #20 06-29-2009, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassmickeyd

Replace it, replace it, replace it.......
What a throw away mentality.
It's one little screw but it's just slipping from a vibration. .....
One little thread in the hole a touch of white glue and it's as good as new. .....
For the people with more money than brains.

Funny you should mention that...

I've found that these stupid things slip even when they're brand new. Case in point: I set-up a buddy's next-to-new MIM Fender Jazz, had all the bridge saddles nice 'n level, etc. I hand it back to my buddy who wanks away on it for 10-15" and then hands it back. I recheck my handiwork and all 4 saddles are out of whack. Don't know if its a design, tolerance, and/or QC issue.

Riis