Bridge starting to come off

[WillMurderface]

I have an Epiphone Thunderbird, about 1.5 years old. It has the Tune-o-Matic bridge.

Today I changed my strings, and before I did I took the bridge off to clean it. It slides backwards off the pegs holding it in place. After that, I put it back on and put on the strings, only I kept hearing this weird popping/cracking sound as I tuned. When I looked, one of the pegs holding bridge in place was almost popped right out of the body!

(I can post a pic, if you like...I'm sure I'm not doing a very good job of describing it.)

I undid the strings and was able to push it back in. But when I re-tightened the strings, it started to come out again. Not as bad this time, though, there's only about 2mm of the post showing, and it seems to be holding steady.

So. How screwed am I? I have a show coming up this Monday, and a BIG show on November 11. Is this a small repair that I can do myself? Or am I going to have to take it in to a shop?

 

[Atoz]

You might be able to fix it yourself. Take a look at this thread:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f18/problem-thunderbird-bridge-help-872015/

 

[WillMurderface]

Thanks! That's exactly what I'm looking for

 

[Atoz]

Thanks! That's exactly what I'm looking for

Good luck from a fellow TBird owner.

 

[Pilgrim]

If it's the 2-point or 3-point bridge (not clear on this) and the stud for the bridge is pulling out, remove the stud, paint the inside of the hole with superglue from a container with a brush, then re-insert the stud, tapping it quickly but firmly into place with a rubber mallet or other non-marring device.

I suggest painting the inside of the hole with superglue because if you put it on the outside of the stud, it will scrape off when you press the stud back in and get on the finish of the instrument.

Be REALLY careful not to get glue on the finish.

 

[96tbird]

Once you are done, use the front stud to angle the front up slightly. This transfers the strain off the two rear studs onto the front. Important but little known fact about these bridges.

 

[WillMurderface]

Yes, it's the 3 point bridge. Thank you! I shall do that at once. And that's good to know about the front stud. Jeez...these things should come with instruction manuals!

 

[Johnny Crab]

Crazy Glue Gel fixed these.

 

[Atoz]

Once you are done, use the front stud to angle the front up slightly. This transfers the strain off the two rear studs onto the front. Important but little known fact about these bridges.

Yes. This is a very important (and often overlooked) bit of information.

 

[Pilgrim]

Yep, thanks for the photo. It illustrates the issue nicely. Once the studs are backed out like that, it's easy to pull them, paint the inside of the hole with superglue (liquid or gel, makes no big diff) and re-insert the stud. Just make sure to get it all the way into the hole quickly; that's why I suggest a gentle tap with a rubber mallet to seat it.