Epiphone Blackbird Bridge: poped off!

[boo9]

i tried my first set-up today, specifically lowering the action and fixing the intonation of my Epi Blackbird. reading around the TB forums, i felt pretty ready, and knowing that this should not be too hard.
this presented a couple of revelations for me.

First: the screws are made of a very soft metal, that will bend to the might of a normal screwdriver. The nice black finish on the top of them was pretty much ruined.

Secondly: The screws become much easier to turn if you slack the strings a bit before you try to turn them. (why did i not think of this before?!? )

Thirdly: I knew that it would be best to tighten the screws bit by bit, and take them in turns. When a screw won't go any further, that does not mean that you can still try to tighten the other screws more, actually this means you should show great care, or you might end up with one screw, and the screw-socket poping out. just like this: (sorry for the poor quality. you should be able to see that the socket is out of place anyways.)


So, i hope you learned from my mistakes. Don't become an expert because you read up on a subject on the tubes, and preferably get someone with the know-how, to show you how it's done the first (couple of) time(s).

[boo9]

the bass is technically playable, but it's uncomphy, and has very high action.
Now i am in need of advice of what to do.
is this thing possible to repair? How much is this likely to cost?

Would a shop be willing to take it as a trade-in? (i've been thinking about changing things up anyways)

Should i become mad at myself for a long time, because i was so stupid as to throw myself onto something i knew too little about?

[DVinti]

Assuming its the same bridge on regular epiphone tbirds, when mine slipped out , I just pulled it out, poured some gorilla glue in the socket, stuck it back in and let it dry for 24 hours. It's been a year now and it hasn't given me any problems.

It's only the threaded socket that is slipping out of the body ( no idea on its real name), so gluing it in won't hurt the way the bridge functions at all.

[kenfxj]

Had the same thing happen. Twice. Take the strings off and epoxy in the metal socket bits (I forget what they're called) and let them dry for at least 24 hours.

Use a big thick screwdriver to adjust the bridge.

I hate that confounded bridge.

[MrGotBass]

Originally Posted by kenfxj

Had the same thing happen. Twice. Take the strings off and epoxy in the metal socket bits (I forget what they're called) and let them dry for at least 24 hours.

Use a big thick screwdriver to adjust the bridge.

I hate that confounded bridge.

My story exactly as well. Whoever thought that thing was a good idea needs to be beaten, especially cause I love everything about my goth T-Bird except that damn bridge.

[fu22ba55]

This is a pretty common complaint / problem with these bridges. (Bending, flexing, etc...)

+1 on gluing the threaded insert back in.

You could email Epiphone or Gibson and ask them for a replacement screw... or if you're REALLY daring you could just bend it back.

(I'd ask for a replacement.)

Maybe a TB'er has an old spare they could send you.

Once it's fixed, a shop might take it as a trade, but you'll get next to nothing in value. I'd hang on to it and start saving for your next bass.

[fu22ba55]

We had a bit of a gripe session about these bridges (on RD Artists) a while back:

Gibson artist RD: top load bridge or body thru?

These Gibson bridges are pretty much universally hated, almost as much as Rick bridges.

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There's always the Hipshot replacement:

http://store.hipshotproducts.com/car...t_detail&p=264

(If you order this Hipshot, it comes with replacement studs... I'd double check with them to make sure it works on the Epi-birds.)

Sounds great, but doesn't look too vintage.

[boo9]

thanks people. this has been most helpful.
i'm going to try epoxy and time. hoping that it will stay.
most likely though, i am going to change it around and get a different bass soonly.
again, thanks for your replies and help.

[Johnny Crab]

The EpiBird bridge here got Crazy Glue gel put on the inserts, set 24 hours.
No problem since.

[Andyman001]

Be sure not to get any glue on the screw threads

[boo9]

getting help from someone with considerable amount of woodworking experience (though no instrument fixing) to help me out with the Repair.
wish me luck.