Stuck Adjusters?

[flyingmarcel]

Good Afternoon,

A couple of months ago, I had a new bridge with adjusters installed on my bass. Yesterday, I wanted to lower the string height a little and found that I could not budge the adjusters at all.

Even with the strings detuned, The only thing I could do was get one of the bridge feet to move a little - It seems as though something is just too tight in the way the installation was done.

Is this something I need to go back to the luthier about or is there a quick fix for this problem that I'm just not seeing. I've had adjusters on different basses before, including this one and have NEVER had a problem like this.

Thanks for your help,

fm

[uptonbass]

SAFELY remove the bridge from the bass and slowly remove the adjusters from the bridge. Try using a bar soap on the threads and re installing them. ( no water )

If that doesn't get you going I would just re-tap the holes.

[Gearhead43]

I used a little graphite powder (crushed pencil lead will do) in the threads when I installed my adjustable bridge and have not had any problems turning them.

Bar soap seems like a good idea though.

[uptonbass]

I find the the soap better being more viscous it will last a lot longer and really cling to the maple. Harder soaps like the traditional shaving bar soap really does the trick. hmm I should try paraffin wax....

[Jake deVilliers]

Paraffin wax is what I use to lube the threads, the pin and the friction surfaces when I install adjusters. Smooooth....

[Roger Davis]

In some way you're lucky to have a tight thread. When I changed the adjusters on my bridge to put a Full Circle in I found that the thread was very slack. There may be a small (microscopic) difference between the diameters - same thread though. Having got the string height to where I want it I'm very nervous about making any changes for fear of stripping the thread in the bridge foot.

[uptonbass]

Originally Posted by Roger Davis

When I changed the adjusters on my bridge to put a Full Circle in I found that the thread was very slack. There may be a small (microscopic) difference between the diameters - same thread though.

Sounds like something is off, I wonder if the full circle is not truly 1/4 20 or possibly the maple of the bridge worn down. One would suspect a lot of adjusting at full tension tho to make that happen.