Essex bridge/restringing issue

[Arvin]

Hi, all,

I recently picked up a SX P/J fretless, and I'm having a restringing issue.

I'm trying to restring with Chromes, but the hole at the base of the bridge (the one you slide the string through) is too small to accommodate the thread-wrapped portion of the E string, so the string won't seat all the way against the ball end.

Before I get my Dremel out and enlarge the hole in the bridge, I wonder if anyone else has encountered this problem and found a better solution?

I suppose I could use a different set of strings, but I imagine I'm likely to have the same issue with a lot of different sets.

Thanks

[jkramer5]

I've got 3 SX's and have had to enlarge the E string hole on all of them to accomidate DR Nickles .045-.105 and Carvin Nickles in the same size.

Lots of other people have had to the the same, I don't know what better solution there could be for making a hole that's too small larger other than drilling/dremeling it.

I'd advise removing the bridge when doing it to keep from marring the finish of the bass.

[Arvin]

Originally Posted by jkramer5

I don't know what better solution there could be for making a hole that's too small larger other than drilling/dremeling it.

That's what I was thinking, too, but just in case I was completely out to lunch, I thought I 'd ask.

Originally Posted by jkramer5

I'd advise removing the bridge when doing it to keep from marring the finish of the bass.

Oh, for certain. And come to think of it, I'll probably drill the hole larger, then use the Dremel to chamfer the edges of the hole.


Thanks for your reply.

[Bassman316]

Ah, yes... the SX bridge deal. I remember when I first re-strung my SX P-bass, and I was stringing it up with .105 Fender Nickels, if I remember right. I'd never used any tools on any of my instruments except for a screwdriver (to tighten up a loose strap button on my MIM Jazz), so taking a drill to the hole for the E string was a bit nerve wracking. Same thing happened on my SX fretless J, so I'm guessing it's all bridges on SX's?

[Craig_S]

Just be sure to only open the hole as much as you need, and to remove any sharp edges from the hole, after you drill.