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12-20-2010, 06:34 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Maryland, USA | | | What's up with Hipshot A-Style Fender Mount Bridge?
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I just received a Hipshot A-style FM2 bridge to replace the stock bridge of my MIA P. It's a direct replacement for the American Fender Bass bridge.
The holes are aligned correctly. However, all the 4 intonation adjustment screws are so long that the saddles cannot move back enough. Unless I find shorter screws that perfectly fit the saddle screw holes, this bridge is useless.
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2004 Fender USA Precision (Butterscotch, maple)
2005 Geddy Neck + '62 RI J Body (3TSB)
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12-20-2010, 07:59 PM
| | | | come on now...
you gonna let a couple screws stop you from playin your bass?
just go to the hardware store and find some screws |
12-20-2010, 08:01 PM
| | | | also, what i'm not getting is how can the screws be too long?
i can see if they were too short and you couldn't move the saddles forward enough,... but too long??? |
12-20-2010, 08:09 PM
|  | Everybody Wang Chung Tonight | | Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Houston Tx | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Cannabass  also, what i'm not getting is how can the screws be too long?
i can see if they were too short and you couldn't move the saddles forward enough,... but too long??? | I was thinking the same thing |
12-20-2010, 08:28 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Virginia Beach, VA | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Chrisk-K I just received a Hipshot A-style FM2 bridge to replace the stock bridge of my MIA P. It's a direct replacement for the American Fender Bass bridge.
The holes are aligned correctly. However, all the 4 intonation adjustment screws are so long that the saddles cannot move back enough. Unless I find shorter screws that perfectly fit the saddle screw holes, this bridge is useless. | I recall a similar situation where the screws were too long and hit the "dead end" (bottomed out) within the saddle block. There is no pass-thru on the A style saddles unlike the conventional stock Fender bridges. If that's the case, you have two choices:
1) Measure the existing screws and contact Jason Ungelich. He may have something shorter. Psychic sidenote: you're probably having more difficulty with the E & A strings.
2) Remove the screw, whack off the excess with a Dremel cut-off blade, clean the burrs with a file, and re-insert. If you screw-up, contact Jason for replacement screws. I have but I'm a total klutz.
Edit: Just got my trusty pocket rule out for a measurement. The total "travel" on an A style saddle is only 5/8" which is, just by coincidence, the length of the saddle block itself. The closed-end design is the limiting factor....too far forward and the threads disengage, too far back and the screw hits the end of the "tunnel".
Riis
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"20% of the money will buy you 90% of the sound..another 30% of the money will buy you another 5% of the sound..you can't buy the remaining 5% of the sound because nobody can agree about what it is."
Last edited by Zooberwerx : 12-20-2010 at 08:40 PM.
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12-20-2010, 08:33 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: 48313 | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Zooberwerx 2) Remove the screw, whack off the excess with a Dremel cut-off blade, clean the burrs with a file, and re-insert.
Riis | +1 for whacking off! It's quick, easy, cheap, and you can do it yourself. 
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12-20-2010, 08:36 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Long Island, NY | | Quote:
Originally Posted by levis76 +1 for whacking off! It's quick, easy, cheap, and you can do it yourself. | [NELSON MUNTZ]HA HA![/NELSON MUNTZ]
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12-20-2010, 08:44 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Virginia Beach, VA | | Quote:
Originally Posted by levis76 +1 for whacking off! It's quick, easy, cheap, and you can do it yourself. | Yes, but at my age, nothing is quick....oh, and you'd better skip the part with the file.
Riis
__________________
"20% of the money will buy you 90% of the sound..another 30% of the money will buy you another 5% of the sound..you can't buy the remaining 5% of the sound because nobody can agree about what it is." |
12-20-2010, 08:44 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Maryland, USA | | Quote: |
I recall a similar situation where the screws were too long and hit the "dead end" (bottomed out) within the saddle block. There is no pass-thru on the A style saddles unlike the conventional stock Fender bridges.
| Yes, this is exactly what's happening. The screws are 1.25" long. To properly intonate the E & A strings, screws need to be about 1" long.
I don't have a Dremel. What's the easiest way to shorten the screws? I don't think I can cut them with a plier. I'll go to a hardware store to see if I can find shorter screws. But given the uniqueness of each screw type, I need a miracle to find shorter ones that fit with the Hipshot saddle.
__________________
2004 Fender USA Precision (Butterscotch, maple)
2005 Geddy Neck + '62 RI J Body (3TSB)
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12-20-2010, 08:57 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hamilton ON | | | There's something strange going on here.
I don't have this bridge, but it sounds like you're having to screw the saddle back further than what seems normal. Measure twice before you cut that screw.
Also, if this is a problem on your bass, maybe Hipshot has encountered this problem before. They might have a bunch of shorter screws in stock that they'll give you for this application. Contact them and see what they say.
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12-20-2010, 09:01 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Virginia Beach, VA | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Chrisk-K Yes, this is exactly what's happening. The screws are 1.25" long. To properly intonate the E & A strings, screws need to be about 1" long.
I don't have a Dremel. What's the easiest way to shorten the screws? I don't think I can cut them with a plier. I'll go to a hardware store to see if I can find shorter screws. But given the uniqueness of each screw type, I need a miracle to find shorter ones that fit with the Hipshot saddle. | You'll need a super-clean cut if you go that route...no pliers or anything that may possibly damage the leading threads. You don't know anybody with a Dremel?
Okay, Plan B...call Jason and see what he has on hand. Go ask Santa for a Dremel.
Riis
__________________
"20% of the money will buy you 90% of the sound..another 30% of the money will buy you another 5% of the sound..you can't buy the remaining 5% of the sound because nobody can agree about what it is." |
12-20-2010, 09:04 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hamilton ON | | | I don't know if you've already tried this, so at the risk of overstating the obvious, I'd suggest that when you string up your bass, start with each saddle as far forward as it can go without falling off of its adjustment screw. Check your intonation. If necessary, loosen off the string and then tighten the screw to pull the saddle back. Repeat this process in small increments. You should be able to intonate within the movable range of the saddle, and typically the saddle will be very close to the other end of its travel from where you're having trouble.
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"The dude abides."
Fender Precision Club #442
Ampeg Portaflex Club #134
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12-20-2010, 09:18 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Maryland, USA | | Quote: |
There's something strange going on here.
| Yeah, I agree.
The Hipshot A-style w/ 4 mounting holes has shorter intonation screws but is not a direct replacement for an American Fender Bass which uses 3 holes for the bridge.
The Hipshot A-style Fender Mount, which I bought, is a direct replacement for 3 hole USA Fenders. Like the Fender bridge, the Hipshot allows both top loading and string through.
I bought my USA P brand new. I'll give a call to Hipshot.
__________________
2004 Fender USA Precision (Butterscotch, maple)
2005 Geddy Neck + '62 RI J Body (3TSB)
Last edited by Chrisk-K : 12-20-2010 at 09:20 PM.
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12-20-2010, 09:20 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Virginia Beach, VA | | Quote:
Originally Posted by derridiandrift I don't know if you've already tried this, so at the risk of overstating the obvious, I'd suggest that when you string up your bass, start with each saddle as far forward as it can go without falling off of its adjustment screw. Check your intonation. If necessary, loosen off the string and then tighten the screw to pull the saddle back. Repeat this process in small increments. You should be able to intonate within the movable range of the saddle, and typically the saddle will be very close to the other end of its travel from where you're having trouble. | Actually, you should do just the opposite. Screw the saddles as far back as possible (with little or no string tension), tune to to pitch, then advance the saddles forward until proper intonation is achieved...if possible given the OP's original issue. As you advance the saddles forward, the preceding witness points will fall behind the saddle and not interfere with the vibrating length of the string. If the E string is still intonates sharp in the full-back position, game's over in record time....time to exchange / modify the screw.
Riis
__________________
"20% of the money will buy you 90% of the sound..another 30% of the money will buy you another 5% of the sound..you can't buy the remaining 5% of the sound because nobody can agree about what it is." |
12-20-2010, 09:24 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hamilton ON | | | What he said ^^^^ is absolutely correct.
__________________
"The dude abides."
Fender Precision Club #442
Ampeg Portaflex Club #134
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12-22-2010, 02:40 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Maryland, USA | | | Hipshot's sending me two sets of shorter screws (1" and 3/4" screws). Very impressed with their customer service!
__________________
2004 Fender USA Precision (Butterscotch, maple)
2005 Geddy Neck + '62 RI J Body (3TSB)
|
12-22-2010, 02:46 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Virginia Beach, VA | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Chrisk-K Hipshot's sending me two sets of shorter screws (1" and 3/4" screws). Very impressed with their customer service! | Crud, beat me to it! Just found a handful of 3/4" screws from another Hipshot project.
Let us know how things work out.
Riis
__________________
"20% of the money will buy you 90% of the sound..another 30% of the money will buy you another 5% of the sound..you can't buy the remaining 5% of the sound because nobody can agree about what it is." |
12-22-2010, 02:48 PM
| | | Quote:
Originally Posted by levis76 +1 for whacking off! It's quick, easy, cheap, and you can do it yourself. | Quote:
Originally Posted by Zooberwerx Yes, but at my age, nothing is quick....oh, and you'd better skip the part with the file.
Riis | Um, we are still talking about installing the Hipshot bridge, right? |
12-22-2010, 03:09 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Virginia Beach, VA | | Quote:
Originally Posted by bassbenj Um, we are still talking about installing the Hipshot bridge, right? | Uhhh...if you say so. Talk to ya later...gotta go tweak my rod for some added relief.
Riis
__________________
"20% of the money will buy you 90% of the sound..another 30% of the money will buy you another 5% of the sound..you can't buy the remaining 5% of the sound because nobody can agree about what it is." |
03-02-2012, 11:33 AM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Northern Virginia | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Chrisk-K I just received a Hipshot A-style FM2 bridge to replace the stock bridge of my MIA P. It's a direct replacement for the American Fender Bass bridge.
The holes are aligned correctly. However, all the 4 intonation adjustment screws are so long that the saddles cannot move back enough. Unless I find shorter screws that perfectly fit the saddle screw holes, this bridge is useless. | I had the exact same problem - I returned the bridge. I wish I had thought to contact Hipshot about it - it is a very nice bridge, other than this design flaw (the screw should be able to protrude through the front of the saddle to provide a larger range of adjustment). | | Thread Tools | Search this Thread | | | | 
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