7-string narrow bridge

[KipDeluxe]

Hello people,

I'm totally new here, I'm a small-time luthier which has a problem.
Before asking stupid questions I searched the forum first, but I couldn't find any answer.

A customer brought in his 7-string because he broke its small wooden bridge and is asking for a replacement.
The total string spacing (from center of lowest to center of highest string) is a mere 3 inches!!
Maybe we could settle for 3 1/4 inches, but that's the very max.
So I was looking for 7-string bridges, but couldn't find any with this small string spacing.
I couldn't find a single string bridge this small either, except for the ABM 3510, which apparently is a discontinued item.

Does anyone know about a 7-string or single string bass bridge with a string spacing this small, and how I could get my hands on them?!
That would be of great, great help!!

Thanks in advance!!

 

[Randyt]

You could fabricate a wood bridge for him or Hipshot makes great bridges!
You can custom order string spacing!

 

[KipDeluxe]

Yes, I've tried the wooden bridge option, but I don't think it'll be enough and I'll have to replace it once more very soon.
A Hipshot custom order sounds better, yes!
Would you happen to know the procedure on this?
And costs?

Thanks!

 

[soflbass]

This one by Kahler has a min spacing of 0.550" which would give you 3.30": Invalid Link Removed
Price is listed at $179

 

[KipDeluxe]

That may be a good bet, and perhaps the only one!!
I'll try sending Hipshot an email on custom orders, otherwise I'll get this Kahler!
Thank you very much!!

 

[soflbass]

That may be a good bet, and perhaps the only one!!
I'll try sending Hipshot an email on custom orders, otherwise I'll get this Kahler!
Thank you very much!!

You're welcome! Looking at the install instructions, it may take some effort to get the positioning just right. But its a damn fine looking piece!

 

[KipDeluxe]

My concern is still the string spacing: the positioning of the bridge sideways will be the greatest problem, since 3.30" is still a bit too wide for this bass.
But still it's a fine bridge I suppose, and it's quite affordable!
Thanks for the heads up

 

[KipDeluxe]

I want to let you fellow forum people know how things went getting a 7-string bass bridge with very small string spacing:

First I had a problem with getting Kahler to ship their product to me, since they only accept creditcards.
Here, in the Netherlands, credit cards are quite rare and I believe just 1 percent of the population has one.
After that I tried contacting Hipshot about a custom bridge.
I got a reply with some questions regarding which kind of bridge I'd want.
I answered that email once, twice... I believe I emailed back 5 times in total, but I think it ended up in their Spam box or something, because Hipshot didn't show a sign of life whatsoever.
Next, I decided to ask my original question again through the Hipshot online contact form, and I got an immediate reply.
Before building me a custom bridge, they offered me a used A-style bridge (including photographs) with a total string spacing of 3.25 inches for the small price of just $100!
This was an offer I couldn't refuse, so the 5th of september I transferred the amount I had to pay for the 7-string bridge plus shipping.
Getting a 7-string bass bridge with 3 inches of total string spacing seems to be quite difficult, but I got a 3 1/4 inch A-style bridge right now. And cheap as well!
They even offered to paint it in a color I'd like, so I got it to be black. (it was golden and with marks of use)
Unfortunately, I waited and waited for the package to arrive, until I checked the USPS tracking update which said that the receiver did not accept the package and it was to be returned to the sender of the package.
This was quite strange, since I hadn't declined anything and didn't even saw the package delivery guy.
So I emailed Hipshot again, and it seemed they shipped it to the wrong address.
They called the International USPS and would make arrangements for the package to get rerouted to the correct address.
Hipshot was a bit too late doing this and the package was already on its way there.
Once they received the item back, they sent it again.
Just now, 2 months after payment, I finally got it!
It's a nice, good looking bridge without malfunctions, nicely painted black, and weighs a ton!

It was quite a hassle, but well worth it, IMO.
Just to make sure: this isn't meant to be a negatively influenced post, I'm just telling you my story
And I am very VERY pleased with the outstanding service Hipshot provided me!
I'm one happy customer indeed