Installing a Schaller 467 Bridge

[selowitch]

I have a three-hole Schaller bridge to install, replacing a standard 5-hole Fender bridge. Questions:

1. Do I start by putting the middle hole of the new bridge over the third original hole and inserting the screw?
2. Having done Step #1, how do I ensure that the bridge stays properly aligned/plumb with the body?
3. How do I safely drill through the hard finish without screwing it up?

[einer von meane]

Great bridge!

I like them too and I use them on Fenders if they need an upgrade.

I use the original middle hole seems to work well.

First though, I plug all the other holes, no sense having extra holes.

If you put a piece of light colored, wide masking tape on the bass body you can mount the bridge with the one screw do your measuring and mark on the tape where the other screws go. remove the bridge and carefully drill through the tape, through the finish and into the wood.

I use some thick thread or light string and stretch from the nut slot to the bridge to help me get everything lined up properly too.

good luck

[selowitch]

Originally Posted by einer von meane

First though, I plug all the other holes, no sense having extra holes.

With what? Wood putty? Or toothpicks and wood glue?

Originally Posted by einer von meane

If you put a piece of light colored, wide masking tape on the bass body you can mount the bridge with the one screw do your measuring and mark on the tape where the other screws go. remove the bridge and carefully drill through the tape, through the finish and into the wood.

Any particular kind of drill or drill bit? What size drill bit?

Originally Posted by einer von meane

I use some thick thread or light string and stretch from the nut slot to the bridge to help me get everything lined up properly too.

Can you elaborate on this?

[einer von meane]

I always fill old screw holes with dowel material.

Buy a thin dowel, just bigger than the screw hole and buy a drill bit of the same size. 3/16 dowel = 3/16 drill bit, for example.

Use the drill bit to enlarge the screw holes to the same size as the dowel.

Measure an inch or so from the tip of the drill bit and put a small piece of tape on the bit to use as a drilling guide. If you stop drilling when you hit the tape you will get the same size hole every time... more or less.

Gently press the dowel into the hole and mark with a pencil on the dowel where to cut. If the dowel is small enough, and it should be, you can use a razor knife.

Smear some wood glue on to the dowel and press in place.

With your bridge in place, secured by the center screw, you should figure out where to drill the new holes. I usually use a tape measure from the last fret to get close. I also fine tune with string. Just make sure to firmly screw the bridge to the body so it stays put when you do your adjustments but no so tight that you can’t nudge it around.

Tightly stretch a thin piece of string from the E string slot in the nut and the E string groove in the bridge saddle. Do the same with the G string slot and groove. These are like temporary strings to give you an idea what the real strings are going to look like. If they hang off the fret board then the real strings will too, you know.

Remember also that the saddles are adjustable so get those guys close to the middle first.

Good luck Amigo