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Aftermarket bridge for a Starfire?

Discussion in 'Hardware, Setup & Repair [BG]' started by HeavyDuty, Oct 27, 2001.

  1. Oct 27, 2001 #1
    HeavyDuty

    HeavyDuty Supporting Curmudgeon Staff Member Gold Supporting Member

    Jun 26, 2000
    Central Texas
    I love almost everything about my DeArmond Starfire, and would never give it up. However, I don't care for the design of the bridge at all - I'm constantly applying dabs of nail polish to the set screws to keep them from moving.

    Is anyone aware of any commonly used bridge replacements for Guild or DeArmond Starfires?
     
  2. Oct 27, 2001 #2
    The Mock Turtle Regulator

    The Mock Turtle Regulator

    Oct 22, 2000
    London, UK
    I've got a Dearmond Jetstar Special, which has the same bridge as the Starfire.
    I had trouble with the screws loosening and the E string saddle tipping over under heavy playing.
    (well made, but a poor design)

    I don't know of any direct replacement, but a Schaller 3D bridge with roller saddles would suit it, as the saddles can be adjusted for the close string spacing. you'd have to drill 3 holes for the mounting screws.
    I think you'll also need the Schaller spacer block to give the necessary string height.
    Otherwise, the Badass1 bridge looks suited (in the Guild Starfire ad one of Hutch Hutchinson's old starfires has one fitted)-you'll have to file shallow grooves in the saddles on this of course.

    the Dearmond body has shallow grooves routed in for the saddle tracks in the bridge to sit in, so you'll have to make sure the replacement bridge will cover these up.

    I think a BadassII bridge's baseplate is big enough to cover the existing 2 mounting holes and grounding wire rout as well as the under-saddle routs, but I'm not sure if it's suited to taking the narrow string spacing.

    being unwilling to spend much on my bass (bought it for £65) I had a cheap Gotoh 201 copy lying around, so I fitted that and filed the saddles to make the spacing narrower and stuck a piece of black vinyl over the 2 existing mounting holes.
     
  3. Oct 28, 2001 #3
    HeavyDuty

    HeavyDuty Supporting Curmudgeon Staff Member Gold Supporting Member

    Jun 26, 2000
    Central Texas
    Thanks for all the info! I guess my first task will need to be removing the stock bridge for a bit of measurement.

    I think it will be worth the effort to replace the bridge.
     
  4. Oct 28, 2001 #4
    john turner

    john turner You don't want to do that. Trust me. Staff Member

    Mar 14, 2000
    atlanta ga
    although bass related (obviously) i think this would be better served in setup. so off it goes.
     
  5. Nov 1, 2001 #5
    Player

    Player

    Dec 27, 1999
    USA Cincinnati, OH
    What is the string spacing and minimum saddle height? I'll see what's available.
     
  6. May 4, 2004 #6
    slam

    slam Guest

    Mar 22, 2000
    Virginia
    So HeavyDuty did you replace the bridge of your Starfire?
     
  7. May 4, 2004 #7
    HeavyDuty

    HeavyDuty Supporting Curmudgeon Staff Member Gold Supporting Member

    Jun 26, 2000
    Central Texas
    Nah - it settled down and has been fine. I probably finally got enough nail polish on the threads to tighten things up!

    A great little bass...
     
  8. Jul 2, 2011 #8
    Lavrans

    Lavrans

    Jun 16, 2011
    Cambridge MA
    Has anybody tried the the KSM bridge on the Dearmond starfire? It looks good, and the video on their website is very informative. At 2.2 inches long, it is short than the original bridge and would leave the drill holes exposed. It does look like a better setup in terms of adjusting the height and intonation. COmments?