Essex (SX) Bridge Removal

[rappa29]

Hey fellas!

I'm replacing the bridge on my Essex (SX) PJ. Problem is I can't get the stock bridge off!

I took out all the screws, but the bridge is still frimly attached to the body. I'm talkin' this thing is NOT budging! As if it's super glued to the body or something!!

Are the SX bridges screwed AND glued to the body???

I bought mine off of a TB member who had done some minor work on it (new tuners). I'm wondering if he glued the bridge to the body for some reason.

How the heck am I supposed to get the stock bridge off??

TIA!

[SGT. Pepper]

You could try MEK but it will damage the finish.

[GlennW]

Try a blow dryer on high for 5-10 minutes. Take your time.

[Khronic]

Originally Posted by rappa29

I bought mine off of a TB member who had done some minor work on it (new tuners). I'm wondering if he glued the bridge to the body for some reason.

Why don't you ask him/her?

[rappa29]

Originally Posted by Naimishbridge

Why don't you ask him/her?

LOL! Good question! Duh!

I'll have to do a search on them. I don't think I have their contact info anymore. It's been a while.

[LongHairFreak]

Originally Posted by rappa29

Hey fellas!

...
I took out all the screws, but the bridge is still frimly attached to the body. I'm talkin' this thing is NOT budging! As if it's super glued to the body or something!!

Are the SX bridges screwed AND glued to the body???
...
How the heck am I supposed to get the stock bridge off??

TIA!

Hey TIA

I had the same issue with my SX. Don't know if it was glued or attached while finish was still wet, but... To remove it, I used a hive tool. That's basically a 1-foot long hardened steel crowbar with one end coming to a 1-inch wide virtual knife blade edge.

Yeah, I know, What the **** am I talking about! Well, If you have something like a putty knife, though they're usually made of a cheap flexible aluminum alloy, it might work anyway.

Just place the edge (not a corner) of the putty knife under the rear of the bridge; with a heavy cloth between it and your bass to protect the finish; then pry it up. When I did it... ping! It took almost no effort and that ol' bridge just popped right off.

I hope this helps.

[Kevbroce]

I just replaced the bridge on my SX vintage white P/J, came off no problem... There's no polyurethane on that color, if that matters.

[Psychotisis]

I know this is an old thread, but I was having the same issue and it was driving me CRAZY. Thank you LHF!!!

[K-Frog]

Let me ad to this really old thread as well.

I had reason to take the bridge off my SX jazz and it was stuck good. I pulled off some color finish. It even appeared that it had been repainted at the factory, 2 layers of paint, slightly different from each other.