This gets two middle fingers from meIt's way easier than that. Like on guitar, I'll just continue to avoid anything associated with Gibson like it's the plague.
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Question about silks at the bridge
- Thread starter HelpImaRock
- Start date
Timely! A few days ago I took delivery of a new Epiphone EB-0, which I strung with Pyramid Gold short-scale flats. They've got especially long silks at the ball end. Normally when I've had this happen with other strings I've taken a knife to the silks to cut them back, but seeing as all four strings were overlapping, I decided to just leave it be and see what happens.
I made sure to press down just in front of the saddle to ensure that they are seated firmly, and surprisingly, I've found that there has been no discernible issue at all. They intonated just fine, and have as much sustain, punch and clarity as one would expect for an EB-0.
Not the best bass to be judging string clarity, but there has been nothing which sounds odd. Perhaps it's just because all four strings have silk over the saddles, so there is no inconsistency?
BTW one thing which seems pretty critical is when you're adjusting intonation: I think it's a good idea to loosen off the string entirely each time you move the saddle. The saddle is pushing up against the bumpy portion of the string where the wraps are locking into the ball end, so if you move the saddle while it's pushing against the string with any force it could cause those underwraps to be warped.
All in all, pretty awful antiquated design for a bridge, that's for sure. Also the horror stories about these being gradually pulled out of the body if the bridge isn't angled backwards... scary stuff.
I made sure to press down just in front of the saddle to ensure that they are seated firmly, and surprisingly, I've found that there has been no discernible issue at all. They intonated just fine, and have as much sustain, punch and clarity as one would expect for an EB-0.
Not the best bass to be judging string clarity, but there has been nothing which sounds odd. Perhaps it's just because all four strings have silk over the saddles, so there is no inconsistency?BTW one thing which seems pretty critical is when you're adjusting intonation: I think it's a good idea to loosen off the string entirely each time you move the saddle. The saddle is pushing up against the bumpy portion of the string where the wraps are locking into the ball end, so if you move the saddle while it's pushing against the string with any force it could cause those underwraps to be warped.
All in all, pretty awful antiquated design for a bridge, that's for sure. Also the horror stories about these being gradually pulled out of the body if the bridge isn't angled backwards... scary stuff.
Short scales without silks are hard to.find.
I use Chromes
I use Chromes
I’ve got basses with that bridge. I’ve occasionally let silk wrap rest on the saddles and found it didn’t affect the intonation, note clarity or sustain, or the playability at all.
Your bass , your call of course.
But IMO the issue isn’t so much a matter of poor bridge design as it is how some string manufacturers are still insisting on using silk wrap when it’s not needed for anything these days except tapewound strings. String manufacturing has come a long way since the 50s.
Silk wrap is still there in most cases for nothing other than “tradition,” brand identification, and marketing purposes.
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Haven’t found that horror story to be true.
I’ve got a ‘74 and ‘83 Gibson, both with three point bridges. I’ve got them all set for straight line pull. Neither are angled backwards. And I’ve had zero problems with either. I’ve had the ‘74 since April of 1974 too. So if it were a design flaw then you’d think there would have been issues with it after almost 48 years of being on a bass that’s been regularly played as well as been taken out on the road for most of them.
So yeah. Lot of old wives tales surrounding this particular bridge. And most of them, based on my own experience, are completely untrue.
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All my Fender and Squier basses have silk over the saddles. I don't see or hear any problem.
Yeah, razor-off the silk as required. You really don't want the overwrap (secures the string and ballend) crossing the bridge saddle as it can be problematic.
Riis
Riis
Bingo.
And as others have already suggested, you can easily razor it off if it really bothers you.
Perhaps my wording wasn't clear enough; it's not the silk wrapping that is the problem, but what it is covering up. The problem lays where the string core is twisted back upon itself and then wound with the wire used for the outer winding that causes the issues I spoke of. This is the portion of the string that you do not want resting on the saddle, and should strictly be only in the string after-length well behind the respective saddle.
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No need to go to the hardware store. Your old strings came with spacers in case you need them for your new strings.
Thx for taking the time to clarify your earlier point. I’ll agree with the above. No argument from me. You’re 100% correct.
Excellent suggestion @Engle, but just cut the ball ends off some old string set.
It's exactly what your picture shows on the E string.
It's exactly what your picture shows on the E string.
Yes that’s what I was saying. It’s an easy solution.
I think Gorn means to suggest using little nuts, not bolts as spacers at the ball end of each string.
I agree with him, and with others who say that this really does not cause a problem. I have an Epiphone Jack Casady bass with the 3 point bridge. I can't discern any difference that the silks make being past the bridge saddles. Certainly little nuts or old ball ends from old string seem like a nifty idea, though.
Have you noticed, that on brand new Jack Casady basses, they are strung with stainless steel round wounds with short red silks which do not go on or past the saddles?
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Yes, unfortunately, this is the way Gibson-style bass bridges have been since the beginning. The best fix is an aftermarket bar that you run the strings through and tension holds it to the back of the bridge, extending the ball away from the bridge so only the speaking length, and not the silk, goes over the bridge saddle.
For Sale - Mod Bar for Gibson/Epiphone 3 point bridge
