MTD Headless

[Pep]

I know this sounds kinda useless but have you tried installing the bridge end first? Perhaps there's a bit more travel in the saddle ball slot that will allow you to insert it at the clamp end. Worth a try.

 

[Pep]

Thanks,

I did, no success there yet. 2 weeks later.

Did @DJmtd not respond, or did he respond but has no solution?

 

[Oatybass]

Did @DJmtd not respond, or did he respond but has no solution?

Zero response from Daniel. I sent a message to Fretspot (where I bought the bass) and they asked Michael to email me. Since then, no solution for nearly two weeks now.

 

[singlemalt]

It looks to me like the ball end drops into the slot at the headless end. And it's just a smidge too short.

If you put the ball end in at the bridge, and crank the tuner as far as it will go towards the nut, you just need a tiny bit more length. Sound right?

What about putting a small screw driver through the ball end, and trying to get a bit of leverage to stretch the string far enough that it can drop in the slot? Or creating a turn buckle like device to stretch the string….

You might just have go with the alternative anchoring method and cut a single ball end string, but I get that that solution kind of suck. It always leaves sharp ends.

I had a headless Zon, I hated the the clamp and cut thing. Sold it.

Good luck!

 

[Pep]

I just sent a message to DJ. We spoke today about a bass he was working on for me. He's pretty good about getting back.

Pep

 

[Oatybass]

It looks to me like the ball end drops into the slot at the headless end. And it's just a smidge too short.

If you put the ball end in at the bridge, and crank the tuner as far as it will go towards the nut, you just need a tiny bit more length. Sound right?

What about putting a small screw driver through the ball end, and trying to get a bit of leverage to stretch the string far enough that it can drop in the slot? Or creating a turn buckle like device to stretch the string….

You might just have go with the alternative anchoring method and cut a single ball end string, but I get that that solution kind of suck. It always leaves sharp ends.

I had a headless Zon, I hated the the clamp and cut thing. Sold it.

Good luck!

Thx. I'll give it a try. I hear you on the bass.

 

[Oatybass]

Thx. I'll give it a try. I hear you on the bass.

I did pull it very hard to try and get it in.

 

[Oatybass]

I know this sounds kinda useless but have you tried installing the bridge end first? Perhaps there's a bit more travel in the saddle ball slot that will allow you to insert it at the clamp end. Worth a try.

I'll take all suggestion... yes I did try that, same 'short' problem.

 

[Oatybass]

I just sent a message to DJ. We spoke today about a bass he was working on for me. He's pretty good about getting back.

Pep

Good luck with yours.

 

[Pep]

What about putting a small screw driver through the ball end, and trying to get a bit of leverage to stretch the string far enough that it can drop in the slot?

Be extremely careful if you try this!!!

At this point I would remove the long screw that adjusts the position of the saddle, take it and the saddle to a hardware store to get two screws just a little longer, just enough length to get the saddle in a position where you can install the string. Make sure the head is small enough to fit the counterbore in the saddle.

One other thing. Buy two nuts to fit the screws. You'll use these to retread the screws in case they're too long and you need to cut them shorter. What you do is place the nut on the screw away from where you're going to cut it. Cut the screw off then remove the nut. It will chase the threads at the cut.

This should get you going in the right direction.

 

[Oatybass]

Be extremely careful if you try this!!!

At this point I would remove the long screw that adjusts the position of the saddle, take it and the saddle to a hardware store to get two screws just a little longer, just enough length to get the saddle in a position where you can install the string. Make sure the head is small enough to fit the counterbore in the saddle.

One other thing. Buy two nuts to fit the screws. You'll use these to retread the screws in case they're too long and you need to cut them shorter. What you do is place the nut on the screw away from where you're going to cut it. Cut the screw off then remove the nut. It will chase the threads at the cut.

This should get you going in the right direction.

Thanks Pep

 

[Pep]

You bet. I believe the bridge is a Hipshot. If it is you could always call them. They may have a solution or might have replacement screws to solve the problem.
Here's their number: 607-532-9404

 

[Zooberwerx]

My best guess is that the slot that retains the ball end in too far away from the nut and zero fret, hence the overall string length problem.

I'm just throwing #'s for reference. My distance from zero fret > ball-end retainer (headstock) is 16 mm. I think we have the same Hipshot bridge / tuner assembly.

Riis

 

[Pep]

Just a couple of questions.

Did you have this built by MTD or did you by it from someone else?
Did the bass come with strings and if so do you have those strings?

 

[Pep]

One more idea. Unscrew the long screw completely that moves the saddle. Slide the saddle down, insert the ball, then reinsert the screw and move the saddle back into place.

 

[Oatybass]

You bet. I believe the bridge is a Hipshot. If it is you could always call them. They may have a solution or might have replacement screws to solve the problem.
Here's their number: 607-532-9404

Great idea, Thanks.

 

[Oatybass]

I'm just throwing #'s for reference. My distance from zero fret > ball-end retainer (headstock) is 16 mm. I think we have the same Hipshot bridge / tuner assembly.

Riis

Riis, mine is 25mm from the closes edge of the retainer circle to the zero fret. 28mm to the middle of the retainer circle.

 

[Pep]

Let me know if removing the screw, sliding the saddle to get the ball inserted and reinstalling the screw works.

 

[Oatybass]

Let me know if removing the screw, sliding the saddle to get the ball inserted and reinstalling the screw works.

It's so new, I will hold off and wait for MTD for a few days. I would hate to be accused of voiding the warranty.

 

[Pep]

Hopefully they won't leave you hanging. Removing the saddle screw won't void the warranty. You have to adjust them to set the intonation after installing new strings anyway.