I think I screwed up my screws!

[Evil Undead]

Forgive the blasphemy, but damn you Warwick! It wasn't the best idea to put the saddle screws there was it?

I've adjusted my intonation, with great difficulty as I have a straight screwdriver, but I think I've messed up the heads a bit.

Do they look ok (ish)? If not, is it easy to find screws the same size to replace them? And is it easy to replace them, or should I take it to a tech?

Don't wanna **** up my pride and joy!



'scuse the dust... I clean it weekly and no idea how it gets so much dust in such a short space of time

[hdracer]

Stop by your local shop and see if they have some like them lying around. You should back off the string tension before you try and adjust them, its a pain but saves a bigger pain

[P-oddz]

Wow! Never really paid attention to Warwicks. That IS a pretty poor design.

[Murder_Worship]

[okcrum]

You might order a spare set from Warwick. If you know the size you can order them anywhere that has black anodized - I'll bet they are a standard metric size.

[mellowgerman]

Originally Posted by okcrum

If you know the size you can order them anywhere that has black anodized - I'll bet they are a standard metric size.

+1

[trunkshope6]

haha yeah the gibson 3 point looks like itll give it a run for its money

[PCR]

I wouldn't worry about taking it to a tech.

I would replace all of them with Stainless Steel screws or allen bolts. Our local Ace Hardware has a huge selection of SS screws and allen bolts in SAE and metric sizes.

Tip: I always loosen the string before I turn the intonation screw. That will relieve the pressure from the string, and the screw should turn easily. I figure the string is going to have to be re-tuned anyways, so it doesn't add much more time and effort.

[TGLbass]

Those are real easy to turn if the strings are loose. Sorry , you probubly know that, forgive me.

[stingray69]

Originally Posted by PCR

I wouldn't worry about taking it to a tech.

I would replace all of them with Stainless Steel screws or allen bolts. Our local Ace Hardware has a huge selection of SS screws and allen bolts in SAE and metric sizes.

Tip: I always loosen the string before I turn the intonation screw. That will relieve the pressure from the string, and the screw should turn easily. I figure the string is going to have to be re-tuned anyways, so it doesn't add much more time and effort.

+1

Especially to the allen bolts - with that bridge anchor in the way like that. This way you could make adjustments with a common 90-degree allen wrench & get away from screw heads that in general tend to strip out easier than hex heads, IMO. Still a good practice to loosen the strings a little to remove the tension from the saddle no matter what you end up with (screws or allen bolts), when making intonation adjustments. I'd take both a screw & saddle down to the hardware store to make sure the replacement is of the same size/length & fits the saddle properly.

[Evil Undead]

I made sure I loosened the strings right off before I adjusted the saddles! I removed them from the actual saddle first. It's just that the bridge is right in the way... I had to put the screwdriver in at an angle to get it into the head of the screw.

Those 90 degree screwdrivers look like they would sort the problem. I don't think the screw heads are too badly damaged but they are a bit. Interested in the allen bolts... could I get all this stuff in places like Screwfix?

I don't think I would know how to change them confidently - is it easy? I'm a bit concerned that there are springs and all sorts going on in there, and I'd have to take off the bridge...eeeek.

[PCR]

Just noticed that you're in the UK. Probably not many Ace Hardware stores close by.

Changing the screws out is easy. Loosen the string to remove the tension, then keep turning the screw until the saddle falls out. There's only a spring between the bridge plate and the individual saddle (don't loose the spring). I always write the string number on the bottom of the saddle so I know which string the saddle came from. No need to remove the bridge or the string.

To put the new saddle back on; place the new bolt (or screw) into the bridge plate, add the spring back onto the bolt, then screw the saddle onto the bolt. re-set the intonation when done. You shouldn't even have to adjust the saddle height if you replaced the saddles back to the same string it came from. This should take around 15 minutes. Also, whenever you mate two different metals, always use a little (and I mean tiny) bit of oil or grease to protect the threads (anti-seize works best, but any kind of oil will work: even olive oil).

I don't own a Warwick, so I don't know what the specs are for the screw. Perhaps one of the other members here know, or contact Warwick for the correct length and size.

[stingray69]

Originally Posted by Evil Undead

I made sure I loosened the strings right off before I adjusted the saddles! I removed them from the actual saddle first. It's just that the bridge is right in the way... I had to put the screwdriver in at an angle to get it into the head of the screw.

Those 90 degree screwdrivers look like they would sort the problem. I don't think the screw heads are too badly damaged but they are a bit. Interested in the allen bolts... could I get all this stuff in places like Screwfix?

I don't think I would know how to change them confidently - is it easy? I'm a bit concerned that there are springs and all sorts going on in there, and I'd have to take off the bridge...eeeek.

No need to remove the entire bridge, just remove the strings & back the screws completely out of the saddles. Then insert the new screws or allen bolts.

One thing to watch out for, just make sure this part (saddle insert) doesn't fall out/get lost. It is held into the main saddle anchor - usually by a tiny hex screw that keeps them in place:


Same for the springs - don't let the springs pop off & roll outta sight. Or just buy some springs while you're down at your local hardware store if they do. Overall, it should be pretty easy to replace the screws. Good luck!