Headless Club???

[Barticus]

The days of finding them in the wild for $150 is starting to double around $300+

Yep agree… I snapped up some about 3yrs ago. Then a couple of piezo versions (edit: bridges) off of Synapses came up, I drug my feet and missed them… haven’t seen anymore since those were up for sale.

 

[sonojono]

Yep agree… I snapped up some about 3yrs ago. Then a couple of piezo versions off of Synapses came up, I drug my feet and missed them… haven’t seen anymore since those were up for sale.

Yep! Synapses are hard to come by even though they weren’t built that great. They just looked cool lol

 

[MovinTarget]

I think your theory of an amateur conversion is plausible. A properly engineered headless bass wouldn’t have the tuning knobs unprotected, outside the perimeter of the body like that.

I would also say that the J pup is going to be very quiet being that close to the saddles...

 

[J Posega]

I’d wait and see if it really is what the seller says it is. Otherwise, good luck on finding a replacement bridge

I’m not worried that it’s stripped, he says it tunes it’s just a bit difficult.

I’d suggest some light grease on the threads and washers as a start. That may be all it needs.

These bridges are very basic and easy to maintenance. Agree with @ctmullins that cleaning and light grease may be all that is needed. The thing about these bridges is that the tuning keys/knobs may be a little tougher to turn, but they stay in tune remarkably well. I've not tried the thrust bearings as I've always been fine with the knobs not moving unless I need them to.

I’m gonna take the bridge apart and give it a good cleaning and lubricate it.

I added thrust bearings to my early generation Nova bridge.
It helped tremendously

They have to be available in the US.

I found info on a different forum that 8mm OD x 3mm ID thrust washers work for these bridges. I managed to find a 4 pack on Amazon, so I ordered them in anticipation. Link: https://a.co/d/eIBu5Ou

I want this thing to function for many more years, so it makes sense to just make the upgrade for a couple bucks.

I also ordered a combination single/double-ball headpiece from that Irish guy on eBay because I can’t find a set of double ball strings I’d be excited to play on. I prefer balanced tension nickel wounds.

 

[Reedt2000]

I’m not worried that it’s stripped, he says it tunes it’s just a bit difficult.



I’m gonna take the bridge apart and give it a good cleaning and lubricate it.



I found info on a different forum that 8mm OD x 3mm ID thrust washers work for these bridges. I managed to find a 4 pack on Amazon, so I ordered them in anticipation. Link: https://a.co/d/eIBu5Ou

I want this thing to function for many more years, so it makes sense to just make the upgrade for a couple bucks.

I also ordered a combination single/double-ball headpiece from that Irish guy on eBay because I can’t find a set of double ball strings I’d be excited to play on. I prefer balanced tension nickel wounds.

I've had great luck buying tiny thrust bearings on Ebay. They totally improved the tuning on a Hipshot headless bridge:

 

[Barticus]

I’m not worried that it’s stripped, he says it tunes it’s just a bit difficult.



I’m gonna take the bridge apart and give it a good cleaning and lubricate it.



I found info on a different forum that 8mm OD x 3mm ID thrust washers work for these bridges. I managed to find a 4 pack on Amazon, so I ordered them in anticipation. I want this thing to function for many more years, so it makes sense to just make the upgrade for a couple bucks.

I also ordered a combination single/double-ball headpiece from that Irish guy on eBay because I can’t find a set of double ball strings I’d be excited to play on. I prefer balanced tension nickel wounds.

Matt builds an awesome headpiece, I now have 3 of the 5’ers I designed with him.

Can you please drop the link to the thrust bearings you ordered?

 

[Reedt2000]

I got these:

5 x 10 x 4mm Steel 3-Parts Axial Thrust Ball Bearing Model F5-10M Set of 10 751570417582 | eBay

When not under tension there is a little play around the tuning screw. As soon as they're tightened a little they auto-align and work great.

 

[J Posega]

Matt builds an awesome headpiece, I now have 3 of the 5’ers I designed with him.

Can you please drop the link to the thrust bearings you ordered?

I updated my post with the link.

 

[Barticus]

I updated my post with the link.

Already ordered!
Thanks

 

[Peter Årnes]

 

[J Posega]

Already ordered!
Thanks

I'm sorry to report that those bearings are too small. Maybe they work on a headless guitar bridge. The inner diameter is just slightly too small. I'm going to order some with a 4mm inner diameter instead.

 

[Barticus]

I'm sorry to report that those bearings are too small. Maybe they work on a headless guitar bridge. The inner diameter is just slightly too small. I'm going to order some with a 4mm inner diameter instead.

No worries, I’ll return these once they show up, let me know what you end up getting that works.

 

[overit]

Sounded massive.

 

[MovinTarget]

View attachment 4743179

Sounded massive.

One of my fave "full-body" Steinberger shapes!!!

 

[Barticus]

View attachment 4743179

Sounded massive.

And looks massive!

 

[Barticus]

I'm sorry to report that those bearings are too small. Maybe they work on a headless guitar bridge. The inner diameter is just slightly too small. I'm going to order some with a 4mm inner diameter instead.

Yep just a smidge too small

 

[Barticus]

Yep just a smidge too small
View attachment 4743505

These fit pretty well 4mm ID X 10mm OD X 4mm thick, they’re pretty thick so I’m removing the original washer so there’s a smidge more on the threads of the tuner, otherwise it’s close.

And they came in a five pack instead of a four pack which helps.

Uxcell F4-10M Thrust Ball Bearings 4mm x 10mm x 4mm Chrome Steel Single Direction 5pcs https://a.co/d/c8oW4YG

 

[kittywithabanjo]

I am tempted to try this on my Headless bridge.

 

[hihat]

What size would fit on an XL2?

 

[Barticus]

What size would fit on an XL2?

It’s the exact same screws on all of the Steiny bridges.