Narrowest String Spacing Bridge - Help Needed!

[ric4682]

TL;DR- Is there a 4 String bridge that goes down to 16mm or less without going to individual bridge pieces? I’ve already tried to find a used Schaller 2000 since my Schaller 3D isn’t narrow enough for my neck.


I recently bought a one-off/handmade bass with a very thin neck. (love everything about the bass) It currently has the Schaller 3D bridge on it and the rollers are already adjusted to the narrowest it can be. The E and especially G strings still roll off the edge of the neck slightly more often than I’d prefer. When I measure the string spacing with my calipers I’m getting .656” / 16.5mm with the E-A and D-G strings, but the spacing with the A-D strings is coming out to 17mm when measuring string center to string center.
Maybe the narrowest Hipshot A style with the 16.5mm spacing will be sufficient since the middle strings will be slightly closer together?

I’ve already posted a Wanted ad in the classifieds for a Schaller 2000 series since those had adjustable spacing and could get very narrow. I’ve looked everywhere for one and can’t find any, and already reached out the Schaller who confirmed that those have been discontinued for a while and they don’t have any stock.

Short of trying to have someone install 4 individual string bridges or throwing the Allparts Danelectro bridge on here, are there any other options?

Thanks!
Conor

 

[Zooberwerx]

Re-measure using string center-to-center, not string gap.

Riis

 

[ahbass2500]

Agree with prior post. Remeasure.

If you end up needing narrower, the Kahler 2440/7440 is adjustable and goes incredibly narrow if needed.

M

Thread 'Anyone Tried The Kahler 7440/2440 Fixed Bridge?'

Dec 20, 2009

Hi all,

I'm going to change the bridge on my Squier P, its my first bass and I have been slowly upgrading it. For the bridge its mainly about looks and not tone I must confess.

I have a Badass 2 on my MIM Jazz, but the price has shot up since I bought it. And while I like the Badass, it really isnt worth all the extra cash to me.

So I have been looking at other makes and love the look of the Kahler, and was wondering if anyone has any experience (ease of use/fitting/any tone improvement) with one compared to a Badass or stock Fender bridge?

It seems to be called a 2440 on their...

• Meatrus
• Replies: 11
• Forum: Hardware, Setup & Repair [BG]

2440 Series Professional Fixed Bass Bridge System - Kahler International

(Some images may be approximate) Drop in for all Kahler upgrades (Hybrid® X-Trem®) Will fit any flat top and most archtop guitars Mounting plate of 1018 cold roll steel – milled and cut at 98° for less plate and more intonation travel SIX (6) WAY ADJUSTABLE SADDLE sets for custom set-ups: Custom...

kahlerusa.com

 

[ardgedee]

The Hipshot A can get down to 15.5mm string spacing (16.5mm spacing, with saddles' lateral adjustment moved inwards as much as possible). But I agree with the above posts -- spacing at the bridge is spec'd using the centers of the strings, not the space between the strings.

Try measuring from the center of the E to the center of the G and divide by 3 -- that will get you the current average string spacing. Each 1mm of string spacing less than that means the outermost strings will move inward by 1.5mm.

 

[ric4682]

Re-measure using string center-to-center, not string gap.

Riis

You’re totally right! That’s how I measured but that’s not what I wrote. I updated the post to state that I measured string center to string center.

 

[ric4682]

Agree with prior post. Remeasure.

If you end up needing narrower, the Kahler 2440/7440 is adjustable and goes incredibly narrow if needed.

M

Thread 'Anyone Tried The Kahler 7440/2440 Fixed Bridge?'

Dec 20, 2009

Hi all,

I'm going to change the bridge on my Squier P, its my first bass and I have been slowly upgrading it. For the bridge its mainly about looks and not tone I must confess.

I have a Badass 2 on my MIM Jazz, but the price has shot up since I bought it. And while I like the Badass, it really isnt worth all the extra cash to me.

So I have been looking at other makes and love the look of the Kahler, and was wondering if anyone has any experience (ease of use/fitting/any tone improvement) with one compared to a Badass or stock Fender bridge?

It seems to be called a 2440 on their...

• Meatrus
• Replies: 11
• Forum: Hardware, Setup & Repair [BG]

2440 Series Professional Fixed Bass Bridge System - Kahler International

(Some images may be approximate) Drop in for all Kahler upgrades (Hybrid® X-Trem®) Will fit any flat top and most archtop guitars Mounting plate of 1018 cold roll steel – milled and cut at 98° for less plate and more intonation travel SIX (6) WAY ADJUSTABLE SADDLE sets for custom set-ups: Custom...

kahlerusa.com

I totally forgot about Kahler! I’ll take a look to see if they go narrow enough.

 

[ric4682]

The Hipshot A can get down to 15.5mm string spacing (16.5mm spacing, with saddles' lateral adjustment moved inwards as much as possible). But I agree with the above posts -- spacing at the bridge is spec'd using the centers of the strings, not the space between the strings.

Try measuring from the center of the E to the center of the G and divide by 3 -- that will get you the current average string spacing. Each 1mm of string spacing less than that means the outermost strings will move inward by 1.5mm.

That’s good to know that the Hipshot goes that narrow! That might be the least invasive way to go.

 

[Zooberwerx]

You’re totally right! That’s how I measured but that’s not what I wrote. I updated the post to state that I measured string center to string center.

You'll find something that works. Best wishes with the project!

Riis

 

[FullumMusic]

You'll probably find a more suitable 4 string bridge than what i'm about to suggest, but in the off chance your quest winds up at a dead end, the old Carvin LB series basses from the 1990s had bridges with fully adjustable and removable saddle spacing. The LB76 (six string) models were 16mm spacing. Looking at grainy pics of a Carvin catalog from the 1990s, it looks like the 5 string and 4 strings have the same bridge. The only difference is the size of the base plate and how many saddles are screwed onto it.

I used to have one and you can see in the pic the individual saddles slide left & right and lock into place with a screw. But you can also slide them off the bridge completely. So ideally you'd be able to find a 4 string bridge from an LB20 or LB70. But if you're stuck, a 5 or 6 string bridge will still work, with the extra saddles removed and an oversized base plate (which is flat).

Might wanna hit up the Carvin group to see if anyone has any old bridges laying around?

 

[Zooberwerx]

You'll probably find a more suitable 4 string bridge than what i'm about to suggest, but in the off chance your quest winds up at a dead end, the old Carvin LB series basses from the 1990s had bridges with fully adjustable and removable saddle spacing. The LB76 (six string) models were 16mm spacing. Looking at grainy pics of a Carvin catalog from the 1990s, it looks like the 5 string and 4 strings have the same bridge. The only difference is the size of the base plate and how many saddles are screwed onto it.

I used to have one and you can see in the pic the individual saddles slide left & right and lock into place with a screw. But you can also slide them off the bridge completely. So ideally you'd be able to find a 4 string bridge from an LB20 or LB70. But if you're stuck, a 5 or 6 string bridge will still work, with the extra saddles removed and an oversized base plate (which is flat).

Might wanna hit up the Carvin group to see if anyone has any old bridges laying around?
View attachment 7429584

Rarer than hens-teeth, especially intact components. They were ALMOST a good idea.

Riis

 

[KidAmnesia]

Why not individual bridges? To me they seem like a very functional way to solve this kind of situation.

 

[FullumMusic]

Rarer than hens-teeth, especially intact components. They were ALMOST a good idea.

Riis

Horse shoes and hand grenades... and 1990s Carvin bridges?

 

[Engle]

Why not individual bridges? To me they seem like a very functional way to solve this kind of situation.

I used individual bridges mounted on a 1/8" aluminum plate for a Burns (MIJ) NonReverse Thunderbird that had a very narrow neck. It worked great!

 

[songwriter21]

You'll probably find a more suitable 4 string bridge than what i'm about to suggest, but in the off chance your quest winds up at a dead end, the old Carvin LB series basses from the 1990s had bridges with fully adjustable and removable saddle spacing. The LB76 (six string) models were 16mm spacing. Looking at grainy pics of a Carvin catalog from the 1990s, it looks like the 5 string and 4 strings have the same bridge. The only difference is the size of the base plate and how many saddles are screwed onto it.

I used to have one and you can see in the pic the individual saddles slide left & right and lock into place with a screw. But you can also slide them off the bridge completely. So ideally you'd be able to find a 4 string bridge from an LB20 or LB70. But if you're stuck, a 5 or 6 string bridge will still work, with the extra saddles removed and an oversized base plate (which is flat).

Might wanna hit up the Carvin group to see if anyone has any old bridges laying around?
View attachment 7429584

I've never heard reliability as a staple of these Wilkinson bridges.

 

[cheapimitation]

Kahler gets to 14 mm. Note however that it sits higher on the body than most other bridges, and generally either needs a body rout or a neck pocket shim (if using with a pre-made body, like from Warmoth) to fit. Another option is the discontinued Schaller 2000 series, which can go to about 15.2 mm.

 

[ctmullins]

@ric4682 check your DMs.

 

[songwriter21]

If you're curious to try a 6, Ibanez has the Gerald Veasley model, and EBMM has the John Myung model, both 14mm or under.

TL;DR- Is there a 4 String bridge that goes down to 16mm or less without going to individual bridge pieces? I’ve already tried to find a used Schaller 2000 since my Schaller 3D isn’t narrow enough for my neck.


I recently bought a one-off/handmade bass with a very thin neck. (love everything about the bass) It currently has the Schaller 3D bridge on it and the rollers are already adjusted to the narrowest it can be. The E and especially G strings still roll off the edge of the neck slightly more often than I’d prefer. When I measure the string spacing with my calipers I’m getting .656” / 16.5mm with the E-A and D-G strings, but the spacing with the A-D strings is coming out to 17mm when measuring string center to string center.
Maybe the narrowest Hipshot A style with the 16.5mm spacing will be sufficient since the middle strings will be slightly closer together?

I’ve already posted a Wanted ad in the classifieds for a Schaller 2000 series since those had adjustable spacing and could get very narrow. I’ve looked everywhere for one and can’t find any, and already reached out the Schaller who confirmed that those have been discontinued for a while and they don’t have any stock.

Short of trying to have someone install 4 individual string bridges or throwing the Allparts Danelectro bridge on here, are there any other options?

Thanks!
Conor

 

[Wood and Wire]

Total brain fart, but what about the vintage style bent plate bridges that Fender put on Vintera models?

The entire width of the saddle is cut into notches, so you can space the strings however you like (though I've no idea what the minimum spacing would work out at).

Can you put those style saddles on your current bridge?

 

[FullumMusic]

I've never heard reliability as a staple of these Wilkinson bridges.

Mine seemed fine for the 30 years i had it, and also, my one experience doesn't speak to everyone else's. Something to look out for if the OP should choose this route i suppose. Good to know.

 

[ric4682]

Why not individual bridges? To me they seem like a very functional way to solve this kind of situation.

I used individual bridges mounted on a 1/8" aluminum plate for a Burns (MIJ) NonReverse Thunderbird that had a very narrow neck. It worked great!

It would be the ideal solution, but swapping from one “normal” bridge to another is something I can handle on my own. Installing individual string bridges would definitely have to involve my tech. Not necessarily a problem, but if I can get away with a cheaper/easier solution then I prefer that. If I can’t find an off the shelf option then I may need to look at individual bridges though!