Fender bridge question about drilling holes in the bridge to enable top-loading

**bassman_al** · #1 03-11-2011, 10:45 AM

A search turned up nothing, and my question is pretty specific.

I have a '97 MIA P-bass which has a string through body bridge, with no option for top loading. There is one hole in the back of the bridge, right behind the E string, that looks to be a factory drilled hole. Maybe this was for flats players, the idea being that if there is going to be a string that breaks, it would be the E string? There are no other holes on the back of the bridge. Weird that Fender would drill one hole without drilling 3 more...

I am using flats, and I don't want them to break due to the angle of the strings as the strings come up through the body and bridge.

So I could either find a replacement bridge, or attempt to drill 3 additional holes in the back of the bridge. I have a drill and a large set of drill bits, some of which are appropriate for metal drilling. But I have not done a whole lot of drilling on metal, and I am hesitant to try on this otherwise pristine bridge. But... if I could pull off the drilling successfully, then I would not have to worry about string breakage. Of course, if my surgery fails, then I could potentially really damage or ruin the bridge. Or a mistake might only cause the bridge to look really ugly... Sounds like an episode of "House."

Anyone out there ever drilled a hole in the back of a Fender bridge?

Al

tjh · #2 03-11-2011, 11:22 AM

Al, I would not hesitate to attempt drilling the holes, but I would take a couple precautions ... I would take another bridge, already drilled for top mount, and 'back it up to' the surgery patient for marking hole placement, and then I would use a new 'non walking' type of bit for my very tiny pilot hole in the center of my mark ... Black and Decker makes a 'Bullet' brand bit made for this .. and then I would use maybe one or two increased size bits to bring the hole to the desired size ... FWIW, I would prefer to use a drill press with the bridge plate clamped securely if the option is available ... and then I would use a VERY light touch with a Dremel to make sure there are no sharp edges on the hole when finished ... not rocket science, just take your time with it ...

tangentmusic · #3 03-11-2011, 11:25 AM

Why not just get a top loading replacement bridge?

JTE · #4 03-11-2011, 11:28 AM

I think the Fender Deluxe bridge is two-way and a direct replacement for the string-through only bridge they used in the same period on the American Series (or American Standard, I gave up keeping track of what they called them each year as the went back and forth). No holes to drill and machined to take the string tension.

John

**bassman_al** · #5 03-11-2011, 12:19 PM

Thanks for the ideas. I did a web search on 'Fender American Deluxe bridge" and found Darren Riley's shop in N.C. His webste shows that he stocks that bridge, so I called and he told me that the American Deluxe would work, and also the new HMV bridge that comes on the 2008 and newer Fenders would work with the screw hold placement that I have. Yes! So for $40 or $60 plus shipping, I could get myself a new bridge!

For now I'll just take precautions on gigs that I use the P-bass. Back-up bass and extra strings. And when I get an extra $60 I'll get myself some new hardware!

Thanks guys!

**bassman_al** · #6 03-11-2011, 12:21 PM

Fender HMV High Mass Vintage Bass Bridge

for anyone interested. He said he guarantees that the bridge will fit my bass

treekiller · #7 03-11-2011, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassman_al

Fender HMV High Mass Vintage Bass Bridge

for anyone interested. He said he guarantees that the bridge will fit my bass

I'd go with this, I have them on both my MIA Jazz & MIA P basses toploaded with flats(Chromes). Nicely finished looking too!!!

**bassman_al** · #8 03-12-2011, 02:46 PM

I drilled 3 holes today. there was already one there, for the E string. A previous owner had drilled just that one. Not sure why they didn't keep going...

Anyway, the project went well. It will certainly hold me over until I decide to buy that HMV that I hope is in my future!

Bring on that set of Jamersons that I have! They just found a new home!

giacomini · #9 03-12-2011, 11:39 PM

Great that you made it work! I've drilled holes in a fender-style bridge once and it still works today!

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassman_al

Fender HMV High Mass Vintage Bass Bridge

for anyone interested. He said he guarantees that the bridge will fit my bass

If you like every aspect of your bass' sound, I wouldn't advise you to buy a high mass bridge. That bridge will make your bass sound slightly different from what you've got now. I've done that kind of swapping and it DOES change the tone (specially overtones) and makes the notes sustain a little longer. It doesn't sound bad, but if you like your tone, just being different is just as bad...

**bassman_al** · #10 03-14-2011, 10:43 AM

Got teh jamersons on, so far everything sounds great. Had to do a new setup since the tension is different with the new strings, but they feel and sound nice.