Is my Jerry-rigging at the bridge affecting my sound/tone?

[Damani311]

I like these strings, but they don't fit the B string groove in the bridge. The obvious solution is to file the groove, but I haven't found someone willing to do it for cheaper than $60 yet, so that will come another time.

The string is Firmly anchored in the bridge, the only question is maybe the piece of string i'm "losing" out the back of the bridge is affecting my sound. Also, the string doesnt sit all the way down in the saddle, would this have any effect?

I am concerned because the notes on my B string sound......well......terrible. Like they're always flat, with a much more hollow sound than should be. Also, I get fretbuzz on the 5th fret and up ONLY on the B string, so......it could be a raised fret, but I can't find one that's raised using a flat edge.

HELP!

[stflbn]

Just take a dremel tool to the slot in the bridge that's to narrow now. Just enough to allow the area of the string that's to wide to once again fit down into the slot.

I've had to do it to multiple bridges.

[mrniceguy715]

wow. I have to mod several as well for the labella flats or my me gauge low riders. never done it on a wick. it would be the same like the other guy said just open it up a tad and you should be good.

[themarshall]

A Dremel isn't necessary; a hand file will work, just take a while longer. In either case, I'd mask the area around the bridge and probably the adjacent areas of the bridge to avoid scuffs.

[themarshall]

Oh, yeah - my guess is it ain't helping the tone any. Poor contact, poor transfer of vibrations and all that.

[Damani311]

Thanks for the quick replies!

I'm sure a dremel would cost way more than $60, and I'm not really sure a metal file is very cheap either but I will definitely be going that option, unless someone has a better idea

[stflbn]

Odds are there's someone you know with a dremel tool. Opening it up enough only takes like 4-5 seconds with a dremel tool.


.

[VroomVroom]

I'd guess that it's definitely affecting the tone. And, as a Jerry, I have to offer a correction at your jury-rigged solution at the bridge.

If the string is that much larger in diameter than the one it replaced, I'm not surprised you're getting buzz. Probably worth waiting until you solve the issue at the bridge, but I imagine a small truss rod adjustment would cure it.

Finally, is there simply a lighter-gauge string of the same brand/set that would solve your problem? Perhaps a taper-core? Obviously your call whether or not to modify the bridge, but if money is a concern, purchasing a single string might be the cheapest route. Good luck.

[Turnaround]

It looks to me like your B string is not making a proper break at the saddle. You need to do three things:

1. Open up the mounting point for the B string so it fits properly

2. Widen the saddle slot so the B string sits on the bridge properly

3. Create a good break angle by pressing the string down simulataneously on both sides of the bridge saddle. Right now the string is not forming a good break at the saddle - it's forming a hump over the saddle that extends toward the nut side of the bridge. This will cause poor response and intonation issues.

[JustDavid]

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

I'd guess that it's definitely affecting the tone. And, as a Jerry, I have to offer a correction at your jury-rigged solution at the bridge.

I was going to correct your correction, but got this from Wikipedia:

"The phrase "jerry-built" has a separate origin and implies shoddy workmanship not necessarily of a temporary nature.

The term "jerry-rigged" is a relatively recent mingling (or perhaps garbling) of "jury rig" with "jerry-built"."

Looks like it's slowly slipping into the dictionary, but you are right.

[JustDavid]

Dremel or drill with proper-sized bits. I'd remove it from the bass when working on it.

I'd be surprised if your intonation is proper. None of mine have the B & E saddles at the same point.

[VroomVroom]

Originally Posted by JustDavid

"The phrase "jerry-built" has a separate origin and implies shoddy workmanship not necessarily of a temporary nature.

Oof. Please don't share that with my boss. Or my wife.

Looks like I'm going to have to do some gerrymandering to keep my name out of that dictionary.

Thank you, I'll be here all week. Sorry for the tangent...good luck with the B string!

[xgator4u]

Originally Posted by Turnaround

It looks to me like your B string is not making a proper break at the saddle. You need to do three things:

1. Open up the mounting point for the B string so it fits properly

2. Widen the saddle slot so the B string sits on the bridge properly

3. Create a good break angle by pressing the string down simulataneously on both sides of the bridge saddle. Right now the string is not forming a good break at the saddle - it's forming a hump over the saddle that extends toward the nut side of the bridge. This will cause poor response and intonation issues.

YUP looks that way to me too. no way you are getting proper intonation with that marvel of engineering.

[Damani311]

Thanks for all the replies, I think i'm at the point where it'll be worth shelling out $50 for a professional setup, as I'm not so sure about a lot of things any more, and I've basically taken it apart and put it back together myself over the years and it is starting to sound like garbage ;x

[EADG mx]

I'm having the same problem with my Studio 5.

Have you thought about trying out a tapered string in the meantime?

Side note, what gauge of B is that?

[mikeyswood]

Originally Posted by JustDavid

I was going to correct your correction, but got this from Wikipedia:

"The phrase "jerry-built" has a separate origin and implies shoddy workmanship not necessarily of a temporary nature.

The term "jerry-rigged" is a relatively recent mingling (or perhaps garbling) of "jury rig" with "jerry-built"."

Looks like it's slowly slipping into the dictionary, but you are right.

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

Oof. Please don't share that with my boss. Or my wife.

Looks like I'm going to have to do some gerrymandering to keep my name out of that dictionary.

Thank you, I'll be here all week. Sorry for the tangent...good luck with the B string!

Wow. There is a lot of jerrying going on here

[JustDavid]

Originally Posted by mikeyswood

Wow. There is a lot of jerrying going on here

I think Vroom & I are slugging it out to see who's the Dean of Jerry'ing.

[walterw]

Originally Posted by Turnaround

It looks to me like your B string is not making a proper break at the saddle. You need to do three things:

1. Open up the mounting point for the B string so it fits properly

2. Widen the saddle slot so the B string sits on the bridge properly

3. Create a good break angle by pressing the string down simulataneously on both sides of the bridge saddle. Right now the string is not forming a good break at the saddle - it's forming a hump over the saddle that extends toward the nut side of the bridge. This will cause poor response and intonation issues.

+1, especially to making sure that low B is dead straight from each end; you'll need to push on it a little at the nut, and for the same reason.

Originally Posted by JustDavid

...I'd remove it from the bass when working on it.

+1000
take that tailpiece off before getting near it with a file or drill!

it's actually fairly easy to fix this problem: take that tailpiece, put it in a vise (padded, so you don't scratch it), find a drill bit that's just the thickness of the overwrapped section of the troublesome B string, and drill the slot out so the string fits.

the tailpiece is pretty soft metal, but you might need to use a couple drill bits, one just larger than the slot is now, then one just larger than that, til you get the slot wide enough for the string.

[pinkzepphish]

no matter how much you like those strings, it would help to get a different pair... imo

[EADG mx]

Originally Posted by pinkzepphish

no matter how much you like those strings, it would help to get a different pair... imo

Or widen the bridge and use any strings you want... imo