2TEK Bridge Installation Instructions and Templates

[OriginalKeyster]

Greetings! A year or two ago I acquired an older style NOS 5-string 2TEK bass bridge complete with installation instructions and plexi templates (for 4-string, 5-string narrow and 5-string wide). I thought that since this stuff seems to otherwise be made of unobtainium I would post them here. Keep in mind that 2TEK bridge installation is not for the faint of heart. Enjoy!

 

[OriginalKeyster]

And now for the templates...

 

[OriginalKeyster]

Now y'all know what I know, but feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

 

[T-Bird]

Hi.

I doubt that I'll ever get my hands on a 2Tek, or even see one in person, but I for one am thankful for people like You.

Thanks for posting this hard to obtain information, I'm sure that someone, somewhere, will benefit from it.

Regards
Sam

 

[Beej]

You mean like, maybe the guy who ends up buying the bridge the OP has for sale that this entire thread is oh-so-cleverly advertising?

 

[David Jayne]

You mean like, maybe the guy who ends up buying the bridge the OP has for sale that this entire thread is oh-so-cleverly advertising?

So what? He's a supporting member- he can be as clever as he wants!!!

 

[Beej]

True enough. With or without your endorsement...

 

[OriginalKeyster]

Uh-oh, guess I'm busted! However, the 2TEK is no longer for sale as I have discovered that the resonator plate is slightly bent. Curses!!!

 

[Beej]

That's a bummer. Any way to repair it?

 

[OriginalKeyster]

Maybe... I think I know where the vertex of the bend is, now just gotta find a method.

 

[SGD Lutherie]

Can you post some photos of the bridge. I've always been curious about those bridges.

 

[OriginalKeyster]

Here are pics of the bridge with the bent resonator plate. The pics are from the ebay auction I won.

 

[OriginalKeyster]

These are of my other 5-string 2TEK. I have never run across another one in black with the natural brass saddles. It will soon be installed on my spare Peavey GV.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

I had forgotten that these things were even out there... I recall asking my tech to look into installing on in a bass I had... He could do it, but the cost was rather much for what amounts to a fancy bridge.... That they disappeared did not shock me. But good luck with your project!

 

[OriginalKeyster]

Here are pics of a 4-string bridge installed on my Moses Graphite neck-equipped FrankenFender. It sounds killer! All three of these bridges are of the older style. I guess there is a newer style with straighter "tonal fingers" that seems to be common on the Hamer Cruise basses.

 

[OriginalKeyster]

I had forgotten that these things were even out there... I recall asking my tech to look into installing on in a bass I had... He could do it, but the cost was rather much for what amounts to a fancy bridge.... That they disappeared did not shock me. But good luck with your project!

Thank you!!

It does not surprise me that they disappeared, either. Thankfully, I have a friend who is an aircraft cabinet builder who is installing these for me in exchange for my work on his BMWs.

 

[Murphys Law]

So... what is it with these Bridges actually?

Apart from beeing really bloody big I can't see anything too special on these. The sheer mass will of course act as a nice sustainer...

 

[SGD Lutherie]

Yeah, it's a lot of mass, and seems like they are going for a tuned decoupling from the body.

Alembic does a similar thing with the heavy brass inertia block they place under the bridge.

 

[Bass Junkie]

Mike Lull has probably installed more of these than anyone else that I know of. His shop and the company that sold these were very close to each other.

 

[OriginalKeyster]

I used a short handle sledge to tap the plate back into submission with great success.