Schaller 463 bridge

[Eli M.]

I was going to order a Schaller 463 bridge (roller bridge) for my bass. I have read that people have put these on their Fender basses with no problem. But it doesn't look like it will fit on my bass, an American Deluxe J. I downloaded a diagram of the bridge and it says that the screw holes (is that what they're called?) are 25.5 mm apart, but on my bass they seem to be 20 mm apart. Am I measuring something wrong, or will this bridge work without having to put any new holes in the bass?

 

[Hambone]

You will have to drill new holes for the Schaller. I don't remember right now if it has a center screw but if it does, use that to center it and then mark and drill the new ones from that. I always like to fill my old holes because the 2 of the new screws "share" portions of the old holes. Filling them keeps the new screws from slipping into the old holes and pulling the bridge out of line.