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  #1  
Old 08-18-2011, 03:55 PM
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Fender High Mass Vintage Bridge

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Hi all

I wonder if someone could tell me what size of allen/hex key fits on this bridge in order to move the saddles for intonation.
The bass is a Fender American Deluxe Precision..


Many Thanks

Stuart
  #2  
Old 08-18-2011, 04:37 PM
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On the vast majority of Fender bridges the intonation screw is philips head and the saddle height screws are 1/16" hex.
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Old 08-18-2011, 04:46 PM
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These screws definitely use a hex key. I just can't seem to find one that fits.
Thank you for your help tho...
  #4  
Old 08-18-2011, 04:58 PM
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"Fender High Mass Vintage Bridge"

Now THAT's an oxymoron. Fender vintage bridges are thin soft stamped plate steel. They have just as much or more sustain than a "high mass" bridge. That is a hold-over from the late '70's when without a proper understanding of how wood grain and density worked with regard to sustain companies used thick brass, thick steel, etc., to try to improve sustain. It didn't work. All it did was make instruments unduly heavy. Then someone brought out their swamp-ash lightweight Telecaster and showed how great it was. Then everybody went to ultra-light weight woods in the late '80's and '90's thinking that was the secret to tone. It didn't work, either.

Finally, everything has come full circle. Those who want great tone know it is an accident of growth of the tree that produces the wood, and old-fashioned "tone tapping" to see which planks have great tone and which don't has finally come back. You pay for it, but it's there. Then, good tone wood is matched to moderate hardware that doesn't get in the way of good tonewood, like real vintage style hardware that facilitates the tone, and doesn't bury it.

Sorry for the rant. Good luck with your bridge.
  #5  
Old 08-18-2011, 05:16 PM
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Well that's what they call it in their website..
Interesting read tho.

Thanks for your contribution..
  #6  
Old 08-18-2011, 05:23 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Deaky View Post
These screws definitely use a hex key. I just can't seem to find one that fits.
Thank you for your help tho...
A picture would be very helpful. I know Fender has gone through some interesting bridges over the years. Granted, a full set of ball-end hex wrenches is about $7 if you want to avoid the guessing.

Search results for: 'hex wrench'
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  #7  
Old 08-18-2011, 05:53 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iiipopes View Post
"Fender High Mass Vintage Bridge"

Now THAT's an oxymoron.
The "vintage high mass bridge" is a bridge that looks similar to the vintage bridge, but is indeed a higher mass bridge. It needs a 1/16" hex (Allen) wrench for adjustment, according to the Fender website.

Last edited by Craig_S : 08-18-2011 at 05:57 PM.
  #8  
Old 08-19-2011, 01:38 AM
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Hmmm isn't that size needed to adjust height?
The saddle screws to adjust intonation require a hex key of some sort.
  #9  
Old 08-24-2011, 11:48 AM
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Any ideas!!!

The 1/16 allen key only adjusts the height of the saddles. Im looking for the correct key to move the saddles back and forth..

Thanks
  #10  
Old 08-24-2011, 02:56 PM
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This is purely a logical guess, but I would estimate it would be one of the following: 7/64", 1/8", or 9/64". As I suggested earlier, a full 13 piece set of SAE hex wrenches is $7 through Harbor Freight. Add a metric set and you'll be able to adjust any bridge on any bass or guitar in perpetuity throughout the universe.
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  #11  
Old 08-25-2011, 12:39 PM
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Found this in another thread about the new US jazzes with the same "vintage high mass" bridges:

"The intonation screws are 7/64" hex, but the case candy included no wrench. Worse, the owner's manual states that intonation is set via a Phillips screwdriver. Doh. C'mon, Fender. Really?"

My feelings exactly.
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