New Fender HMV Bridge Design - Strong Enough?

[pstone_foo]

I am in-process of replacing my late 90's Fender American P-Bass, string-thru-body bridge with Fender's new Migh Mass Vintage (HMV) bridge. The HMV bridge is capable of handling both string-thru-body and top loaded strings. I am planning on putting top loaded (Labella flats) through the HMV bridge, but it is only held on to the body by three wood screws. The amount of tension created by the strings is large, and I am concerned that three wood screws will strip out of the body, especially since I am reusing the three holes used for the current bridge. If anyone has experience using the HMV bridge and top loaded strings, I would love to hear about it. Thanks for your help!

[nutso42]

I don't really think it'd prove to be a problem. If it were a Squier bass and had softer wood in the body, then I might worry. But an American P-bass SHOULD have a stronger wood in the body, and thus it shouldn't prove to be a problem.

If you really are worried though, you could try replacing the wood screws with a higher-strength screw.

[trunkshope6]

yeah i doubt any problms would arise

[FenderJBass]

It's not going to be a problem. I just replaced the standard vintage style bridge on my '00 MIA Jazz with a HMV bridge. I am using Fender 7250 M strings (topload). I haven't had any problems with the screws or the bridge lifting. The bridge feels solid as rock.