Gap under bridge acceptable?

[darwin-bass]

You can waste $$ (not yours) shipping it back. Or keep the bass and hit up the seller for a partial refund.

Pull up the bridge and address the ground wire issue.

If the bridge too low, consider swapping it out for a Gotoh 203 bridge which has a thicker bottom plate. Check the mounting hole spacing to be sure the new bridge fits before taking this approach. Bridge hole spacing info is available online.

 

[DrBnz]

I'd totally agree that most everybody here is capable of disassembly and troubleshooting. But I'm thinking its under warrantee and I'm looking for the unexpected. The "what if's"....
- What if I big chunk of paint comes up with the bridge?
- What if you determine the bridge is bent or holes drilled wrong?
- What if you find one of the bridge mount holes stripped out?
- What if you scratch it or damage another part (string) while doing this?
- Can I still return it after I do "this"
It doesn't matter how experienced or capable you are in fixing it. None of this should be happening to your brand new bass

 

[Grinderman]

In the couple of hours it would take for me to return that bass (I live near CME), I could fix that issue a half dozen times - at least. If you're handy, fix it.

Yeah but you wouldn't have a convenient excuse to stop at Mr. Dinkel's Bakery across the street from CME.

 

[micguy]

Yeah but you wouldn't have a convenient excuse to stop at Mr. Dinkel's Bakery across the street from CME.

Good point, but in my case, I'm diabetic, so things made out of sugar and/or flour are off the menu. Do they sell bacon?

 

[BobKos]

IMO it looks like somebody bent the bridge intentionally to get more lift on the already over-adjusted saddles. Money says something is amiss with the action. If the OP can't diagnose the action issue it should go back. If CME really sent this bass out this way then shame on them for that.

 

[Iridescentone]

That's crap, I'd return it for a normal one.

 

[bassliner50]

I would insist that the saddles are firmly planted on the firm footing which is the body. For me the path of least annoyance would be removing the bridge and carefully reshape in a large vise.

 

[shnapper]

That's not a GAP, that's the San Andreas fault..

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

No.

 

[Hounddog409]

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.

Wow. You are an easy customer.

No way that is acceptible on a new bass

 

[frankie5string]

That is not acceptable. Your bridge is also not suppose to need its screws loosened to operate properly. It's supposed to be bolted down secure. In fact, when you change your strings, you're supposed to check those bridge screws because they can actually work loose over time.

Looks like that one slipped past QC.

 

[2F/2F]

Pull the bridge off and see what's up before deciding anything.

If the plate is bent, they'll likely send you a new bridge.

If a ground wire is wedged under there too thickly, you can fix it.

 

[wiscoaster]

.... Is this acceptable to anyone?

Unacceptable to me. Your choice whether you want to go through the hassle of returning (which I think you have entirely justified reasons for doing) or trying to remediate yourself (which invalidates your justification for returning). Depends on your comfort level with DIY mods to your new bass versus the time and expense and hassle of making this right through the seller and/or manufacturer. But don't do anything wrt even so much as unscrewing a bridge screw until you're comfortable with your choice about which of these two paths you will take.

 

[Hasty]

Totally normal. It's designed like that so you can store picks in there. And some spare change. And some Cheetos to snack on.

Bridges like that are the "Altoids" tin alternative for bass players. For storing "stuff".

 

[bonespatrol]

you get what you pay for.

(it's an old adage)

 

[tb-player]

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.

View attachment 4682112

I bought a Mayones bass from CME that had the wrong internal preamp listed. Rather than return it, they sent me the preamp in pedal form.

If you like the bass, complain to CME and ask them to send you a bridge replacement free of charge. If they won't, make them live up to their name and 'Exchange' that thing.

 

[bubinga5]

How is this even being debated.. The bridge is bent, end of.