Gap under bridge acceptable?

[fakeneckplate'65]

I very recently bought a Sire D5 from Chicago Music Exchange & it is beautiful.. except that the bridge has a significant gap. It seems this is somewhat sue to te ground wire, but the body is somewhat to blame. Is this acceptable to anyone?

I'm about 75% sure I'm going to return it. I'd love another but I'm not sure I want to risk it.

 

[elgranluis]

100% acceptable. Of course , if it bothers you , you could remove the bridge and have a go at it with a hammer, or redo the ground wire , or try to tighten the bridge down.

 

[lokikallas]

Nah bro, that sucks. The saddles look like they are nearly maxed as well, how is the action?

 

[bobba66]

Send it back.

 

[fakeneckplate'65]

Yeah, it's disappointing.. otherwise a beaut.

 

[Al Rivera]

I swapped out my sire bridge for a high mass gotoh. If you like the bass just keep it.

 

[lowendblues]

Get yourself a different bridge.

 

[Reedt2000]

Functionality it's probably fine... but I couldn't live with that. If you like everything else then pull the bridge, fan the ground wire out some, and reinstall or replace. If anything else isn't to your liking send it back. If you're not comfortable doing the work send it back.

 

[beatdatthang]

It's just the ground wire being too far out and the insulation on the wire pushing up on the bridge. Take off the strings, take off the bridge, push the ground wire back in until the insulation isn't sticking out or strip the insulation that's sticking out, your choice (only the uninsulated wire that smashes flat). Screw the bridge back in and make sure it's flush. Restring and you're done. Maybe 10-15 minutes of work.

This is basic stuff. Learning how to do your own maintenance and setups will save you a ton of time, trouble, and $.

 

[Bikeguy57]

It's just the ground wire being too far out and the insulation on the wire pushing up on the bridge. Take off the strings, take off the bridge, push the ground wire back in until the insulation isn't sticking out or strip the insulation that's sticking out, your choice (only the uninsulated wire that smashes flat). Screw the bridge back in and make sure it's flush. Restring and you're done. Maybe 10-15 minutes of work.

This is basic stuff. Learning how to do your own maintenance and setups will save you a ton of time, trouble, and $.

Even easier, just loosen the strings. All you need is a screwdriver. IMHO, returning it for that minor thing is crazy if the bass is otherwise perfect.

 

[fretno]

I don't crank the bridge screws down that will cause the problem and as mentioned the ground wire will do that too. So remove the bridge. Fan out the strands of the ground wire and put back together. When it gets back up to tension ease out the bridge screws so it sits flush. It does not need to be screwed in all the way. The strings tension will hold it down. It will sound better with that bridge flush even with the screws not cranked down. Old guy tip. Best of luck

 

[beatdatthang]

Even easier, just loosen the strings. All you need is a screwdriver. IMHO, returning it for that minor thing is crazy if the bass is otherwise perfect.

I thought about that, but sometimes getting a screwdriver into the bridge screws is more difficult with strings on it, even loose ones.

 

[bassdog]

Not acceptable.

 

[Ggaa]

Where's the wiggle stick?
Is that gap in the spec sheet?

 

[lowendblues]

Getcha one of these with the 2 front end "helper" screws

https://www.amazon.com/4-String-Vin...519&sprefix=bass+guitar+bridge,aps,96&sr=8-83

 

[Barticus]

That bridge plate looks a bit like its bent upward and the saddles are maxed out. It might be the ground wire causing the gap as others have suggested, but it needs a little adjusting for sure.

I can't imagine that the action is very good at this point either with those saddles so high.

If you're comfortable making the adjustments and doing a proper setup then it's not a big deal to sort it out. If you're not, then send it back.

 

[Johnny Alien]

I agree with @Barticus. That bridge looks bent. That said no one here can really troubleshoot that without seeing it. Who can say whether the saddles being maxed (because they sure look like they are) is because of the bridge or how the neck sits. I am going to guess its not wires underneath but a bent bridge that needs replaced. You could tell by removing it but at the same time if its easy to replace just do it unless it plays and sounds like magic.

 

[AMJBASS]

Saddles look fine IMO. The culprit is likely the ground wire needing to be pushed down a little into the route as the insulation can cause the bridge to not sit flat. It can be a good idea to flatten the wire as well. Its likely an easy fix. Left alone, it will not allow for the best transfer of energy to the body and could/will affect the string response a bit.

 

[mongo2]

I hate when that happens.

If the bass is otherwise fine and the ground wire isn't the culprit (the baseplate looks bent to me), I'd replace the bridge.

 

[bassdude51]

Instead of tightening the bridge screws. Loosen them. Wrenched down bent plate bridge screws can cause the bridge to left. It is also possible the grounding wire is is sticking up to high.