reinstalling a Full Circle

[B String]

When my luthier installed my Full Circle, it had to be installed with the pickup facing the body of the bass, not up towards the strings.
I really want my Full Circle installed the other way but my luthier says they can't do it and I'd need a new bridge. My bridge is only a few years old and in great shape. Plus, a new one is a little on the expensive side.

It it true that you can't just dowel up the holes and re drill. Do I need a new bridge?

[JtheJazzMan]

Its really not worth the effort or the expense for the slight change in pickup tone.

If youre really set on it though, you could dowel and retap but the dowel itself may result in a change in bridge tone.

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

The threads may be too long for the feet.

[B String]

Originally Posted by JtheJazzMan

Its really not worth the effort or the expense for the slight change in pickup tone.

If youre really set on it though, you could dowel and retap but the dowel itself may result in a change in bridge tone.

I THINK it would make a big difference. Now, it sounds more like a Realist. I've use an FC in the past and it hasn't sounded this bassy and thumpy.

[glenfong]

Originally Posted by JtheJazzMan

Its really not worth the effort or the expense for the slight change in pickup tone.

If youre really set on it though, you could dowel and retap but the dowel itself may result in a change in bridge tone.

With my basses, it made a world of difference. After having a new bridge made with the pickup pointed to the strings, I was able to hear myself easier and be heard easier (for jazz, trios to big bands). More clarity and less muddiness.

I have heard of only one bridge that was successfully plugged using ebony dowels and retapped, tho I doubt that the luthier would guarantee the results. My trusted luthier says it's better to do a new bridge.

[vejesse]

Why would you use ebony to dowel the holes? It's too brittle for this - You'll probably turn the wood to powder if you run a regular tap through it. Boxwood is the wood to use for this purpose. It can be so tough you can literally machine it like metal and cut threads any which way. If the bridge is otherwise ok, custom turned boxwood dowels are a good solution.

[B String]

Originally Posted by vejesse

Why would you use ebony to dowel the holes? It's too brittle for this - You'll probably turn the wood to powder if you run a regular tap through it. Boxwood is the wood to use for this purpose. It can be so tough you can literally machine it like metal and cut threads any which way. If the bridge is otherwise ok, custom turned boxwood dowels are a good solution.

I'm fortunate enough have a highly skilled luthier. Most of the responses I'm seeing here are not favorable to re drilling. I guess I will have to go with my luthiers opinion. It just sucks to have to get a new bridge just for a pickup. I might try some other options first.

The guy who originally did the bridge sanded the bridge foot under the wing at a skewed angle, making it hard to fit a Planet wing or Underwood. This will all work out, but its a little frustrating right now. Thanks for all the help guys.

[vejesse]

If you're looking to match bass bridges with different bridge height adjusters you have to be creative. Using well fit wooden plugs or adapters with various inside and outside threads is par for the course.

If your bridge isn't usable that's one thing but just because a luthier is unfamiliar with certain techniques doesn't mean it's not possible.

[B String]

Originally Posted by vejesse

If you're looking to match bass bridges with different bridge height adjusters you have to be creative. Using well fit wooden plugs or adapters with various inside and outside threads is par for the course.

If your bridge isn't usable that's one thing but just because a luthier is unfamiliar with certain techniques doesn't mean it's not possible.

My luthier is steadfast against reusing the "not too old" bridge I have now. I don't think its a lack of technique. My luthier seems to enjoy a superior reputation, so I guess i just have to trust the opinion. I just hate spending so much money on a new bridge just to use a pickup.
I guess I need to see if I can first find another pickup I can live with.

[vejesse]

At the risk of beating this to death I'll say this. Luthiers are busy. If there's a problem with the bridge many will simply suggest a new bridge instead of trying to make a questionable bridge work. Usually a sensible move.

But here's a common scenario where it might not make sense. You have adjusters in your bridge that have a 3/8 -16 thread but you'd like to go with a 1/4 -20 Full Circle. Apart from the possible change in tone, a simple solution would be to simply make some brass (or steel or titanium, etc.) adapters that have a 1/4 -20 thread on the inside and 3/8 -16 on the outside. This comes up so often for me I quit making the adapters myself and had a bunch made up on a CNC lathe.

Or you have the reverse. You have 1/4 -20 adjusters and decide to go with 3/8 -16. Worried about ruining the bridge when you drill the new hole? You can use what they call a mold and die drill to enlarge the tap drill hole and keep it centered and aviod splitting the wood.

If a luthier declines to look into an arrangement like this I suspect she doesn't work with metal or has simply made the choice to not work this way and stay with a traditional direction. That's fine, I totally respect that. Problem is, installing a nice new Despiau bridge in LA can't come cheap. And it might not even be necessary, depending on your attitude.

[B String]

In that case, I might go to a different place. There's one place thats been around forever and does work with more "interesting" methods. I might just give them a call. Thanks.