"A" string Bridge Saddle unstable on my '75 Fender?

natselection · #1 03-29-2010, 05:13 PM

After having my P-bass for a few months, I'm starting to notice that after playing the bass' "A" string for a while (maybe an hour or so), the saddle holder for that string noticeably gets lower. In other words, if I play my bass, the action on the "A" string gets lower and lower due to the round adjustable metal cylinder that holds the string up on the bridge.

I was hoping to play this bass for a show this coming Thursday but I feel uncomfortable now with this moving part that shouldn't move.

Where can I bring the instrument in the NY/metropolitan area for a repair? The repair doesn't need to be for this Friday, and I'd like a reputable luthier that perhaps specializes in vintage Fenders.

Thanks in advance,

nat

JTE · #2 03-29-2010, 06:24 PM

It's a common "feature" on that style Fender bridge. Get some Lok-Tite (not the permanent version, the temporary one) or some clear nail polish. Put some on the threads, keeping it away from the screwdriver slot, then put the screw back in the saddle. You'll have a little time (a minute or so) to set the saddle where you want it, then let is set up.

It'll break loose if you need to re-adjust it, but it should hold then. I was a Fender dealer (1977-1988) and it happened occasionally, but not always. One other thing is to make sure each saddle sits parallel to the bridge plate- both screws on each saddle should be the same distance. That seems to help prevent this problem too.

John

walterw · #3 03-29-2010, 08:03 PM

get these saddles, and you'll never have that problem again, as well as getting a subtle increase in tone and sustain.

they jam right up against each other and get held that way by the strings, unlike the single-groove saddles which get forced apart by the strings, allowing them to slide around and sink.

mongo2 · #4 03-29-2010, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walterw

I just realized there's a awful lot of spirals on that bridge.

walterw · #5 03-29-2010, 08:11 PM

don't stare too closely or you'll get hypnotized

NKUSigEp · #6 03-29-2010, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walterw

get these saddles, and you'll never have that problem again, as well as getting a subtle increase in tone and sustain.

they jam right up against each other and get held that way by the strings, unlike the single-groove saddles which get forced apart by the strings, allowing them to slide around and sink.

LOL Clear as mud!

walterw · #7 03-29-2010, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NKUSigEp

LOL Clear as mud!

here's one on a bass:

the strings are a little more spread out than the saddles, so the outer strings push everything in towards the middle and hold it there.

here's the inferior later version:

see how the G string actually pulls the saddle away from the others? that leaves it loose to move around and get out of adjustment.

jerandai · #8 03-30-2010, 12:10 AM

...and if you're really a very "modest" do-it-yourselfer, or like me, just don't have the time, or were otherwise wondering about a good, reputable luthier in NY Metro area, I cannot any more highly recommend Rudy's on 48th Street (in Manhattan; they'll send you around the corner to their repair shop.)

They've done all the work on my basses, from simple restringing and setup, to replacing chipped nuts, complete instrument-appropriate rewirings, to de-polying and oiling the neck. All of their techs have received my basses with the utmost interest, care and respect; they listen really well and go out of their way to explain their assessments and remedies in-depth; they share their knowledge generously and advocate tech competence in their clients. They'll tend to price on the more expensive side, and their calendar is always booked solid several weeks out, but they've always returned my basses playing beautifully, and appear to do their best to squeeze in an appointment when an opening emerges or it seems feasible. They serve endless A-list players, and know what they're doing.

Hope not to lose cred by my overly-glowing review, and certainly Rudy's is bound to have disappointed some folks, too. Of course those folks are free to chime in, too. I'm just sharing my experiences, and when you have a good thing, it's a pleasure to share it.

And, hey, lookit that: they have a really sharp-lookin (finally) new website:

http://www.rudysmusic.com/

bassteban · #9 03-30-2010, 12:40 AM

Blue Loctite. NOT red. NOT. RED.
Edit: This(note color):

NKUSigEp · #10 03-30-2010, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walterw

here's one on a bass:

the strings are a little more spread out than the saddles, so the outer strings push everything in towards the middle and hold it there.

here's the inferior later version:

see how the G string actually pulls the saddle away from the others? that leaves it loose to move around and get out of adjustment.

I know what you're talking about...just that it's irrelevant to the original post.

Besides, I've had many SX, MIM & MIA Fenders, and other basses with the vintage style bridge and strings pulling saddles apart has never been an issue. So I would venture to guess that it's more of an isolated issue.

JTE · #11 03-31-2010, 10:16 AM

I've seen many Fenders with the threaded rod saddles that also vibrated loosel, and many with the '70s version that didn't budge. It's seemingly a combination of the threads in the barrel and the threads on the adjustment screw. As i said, one key is having each individual saddle parallel to the bridge plate. That helps to prevent the saddles from pulling away, and from vibrating the screws loose.

John

Pilgrim · #12 03-31-2010, 10:24 AM

Just use clear nail polish or blue Loctite on the set screws so they won't creep. No "repair" needed.

walterw · #13 03-31-2010, 11:48 PM

sure, loctite or nail polish is an easy fix for the specific saddle, but leo's original design is still superior, and when strung right will have less issues like this and better tone.

Provbass1 · #14 04-03-2010, 10:10 AM

Well I have a '66 P, and it sinks periodically-- have to keep pushing it back up(screwing it out) I considered replacing it with a different bridge, but I guess I won't now.

I'll try the blue Loctite- no fingernail polish since wife left 9 years ago.

walterw · #15 04-03-2010, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Provbass1

Well I have a '66 P, and it sinks periodically-- have to keep pushing it back up(screwing it out) I considered replacing it with a different bridge, but I guess I won't now.

I'll try the blue Loctite- no fingernail polish since wife left 9 years ago.

threaded saddles or single-groove saddles?

if it's the threaded type, the trick is to spread the strings out just a little, so that the outside strings pull the saddles in towards the center. (a dab of loc-tite won't kill anybody either, as long as you're sure you have the screw height exactly right first.)