/ Register

AEB bridge/string issue

Discussion in 'Hardware, Setup & Repair [BG]' started by plong123, Jun 13, 2019.

  1. Jun 13, 2019 #1
    plong123

    plong123 All Your Bass Are Belong To Us Supporting Member

    Nov 19, 2012
    Columbus, Ohio, USA
    I have a fairly good sounding cheapo acoustic electric bass that I have had for fifteen years. The string action is just out of control high, though. I pride myself on my strong fingers but this workout kinda sucks!

    I didn't know much about acoustic repair, so am unsure if the entire bridge assembly needs replaced, or if I can just file down the bridge piece itself, or if that will negatively impact the backside angle the strings need to be at.

    The neck seems to be fairly straight. Well, straight enough that I think we can rule it out as a possible culprit. Also, you can see how the nut is probably ok too because the strings play at a manageable height down below the fifth fret.

    Help me TB! Is this salvageable?

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]




    (Ignore these red Xs, I can't seem to get them to disappear)


    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jun 13, 2019
  2. Jun 13, 2019 #2
    bholder

    bholder Affable Sociopath Gold Supporting Member Supporting Member

    Sep 2, 2001
    Vestal, NY
    Received a gift from Sire* (see sig)
    Those red Xs look like trouble. (Sorry, pics didn't load properly.)

    Edit: Fixed, yay, but sorry, that looks rather nasty, take it to a pro would be my advice.
     
    Last edited: Jun 13, 2019
    plong123 likes this.
  3. Jun 13, 2019 #3
    plong123

    plong123 All Your Bass Are Belong To Us Supporting Member

    Nov 19, 2012
    Columbus, Ohio, USA
    I would take it to a pro if it was a more expensive instrument or if I knew it could be fixed. I only paid $100 for the bass itself.
     
  4. Jun 13, 2019 #4
    bholder

    bholder Affable Sociopath Gold Supporting Member Supporting Member

    Sep 2, 2001
    Vestal, NY
    Received a gift from Sire* (see sig)
    In that case, have it it, good luck, that fretboard looks tough to level, and fixing a lifted cracked bridge isn't trivial either. Good training project if you want to get into that stuff, though, right? :D
     
    plong123 likes this.
  5. Jun 13, 2019 #5
    Matt Liebenau

    Matt Liebenau

    Jul 7, 2013
    Ogden, Utah
    The saddle in the bridge looks pretty tall so there is room to take it down but I agree that the bridge itself looks like it’s lifting. Can you slip a sheet of paper between the bridge and the top especially around the outside edges of the back of the bridge?

    If it is pulling up that needs to be removed and glued back on before the string height can be addressed.
     
    plong123 likes this.
  6. Jun 13, 2019 #6
    plong123

    plong123 All Your Bass Are Belong To Us Supporting Member

    Nov 19, 2012
    Columbus, Ohio, USA
    No. It looks like there is gummy glue in there. It does look like it's pulling up but hasn't cleared yet
     
  7. Jun 13, 2019 #7
    Turnaround

    Turnaround Commercial User

    May 6, 2004
    Toronto Canada
    Independent Instrument Technician - Retired
    The bridge is not only lifting off, it's distorted. The saddle is also very high and that it stressing the bridge significantly. THere's a bad kink in the neck at the body joint and the top plate of the body is distorted. There may be a loose or broken brace contributing to the bellying of the top. There is a lot of work to put everything to right. I expect it will cost 4 to six times what you paid for it to get it repaired.
     
    Matt Liebenau and plong123 like this.
  8. Jun 13, 2019 #8
    plong123

    plong123 All Your Bass Are Belong To Us Supporting Member

    Nov 19, 2012
    Columbus, Ohio, USA
    That is what I was afraid of. Thank you for the detailed report, you sir are a gentleman and a scholar.

    I believe I will just carve the bridge saddle down and see what kind of lemonade I can make here.
     
  9. Jun 14, 2019 #9
    megafiddle

    megafiddle

    May 25, 2011
    There almost looks like a truss rod nut visible through the sound hole. If so, have you checked the relief and tried adjusting it?

    It looks like there is room to lower the saddle. It actually looks quite tall as it is. I would try to find a new saddle that fits in the bridge slot and work on that, though. Save the original saddle.

    It's not unusual for tops to rise and rotate towards the neck, lifting near the rear of the bridge, and sinking near the front of the bridge. Typically, the saddle is lowered to compensate.

    Those round inlays on the bridge are covering screw heads. These may be machine screws with nuts underneath the bridge plate, or wood screws threaded into the bridge plate. The bridge plate is underneath the top. If machine screws, check to make sure that the nuts are still there and tight. If loose, tightening them may pull the rear of the bridge back down a bit, but probably won't change the height at the saddle much.

    -
     
    plong123 likes this.