Squier bridge lift problem

[JustForSport]

Great fix- should be no more problems with that.
I've seen some other maker's cast bridges do that, and also bend open at the ball anchor if they're top-loading: seems to be a occasional softer batch of casting mat'l, because most of 'em stay straight.
I'd considered doing something similar before, but replaced the originals with individual string bridges instead.
It also seems that similar cast bridges were designed with side rails and don't suffer that problem.

 

[JoeWPgh]

It also seems that similar cast bridges were designed with side rails and don't suffer that problem.

That's what's so sad. Some minor buttressing of the flange would make this sort of failure all but impossible.

 

[rojo412]

That's what's so sad. Some minor buttressing of the flange would make this sort of failure all but impossible.

I just snagged a Blacktop P body and it has almost the same bridge... but the bridge has side walls, so there's support for the back and the plate. It's perfectly straight.

 

[tbplayer59]

Good work! I don't think I've ever seen a bridge like that bend before. However, I mostly use the simple bent metal bridges. Thanks for sharing.

 

[rojo412]

I was definitely shocked that something claiming to be a "Hi Mass Bridge" was so easily bent... but then again, I've used cheap brake rotors on cars that warp in a month, so I guess it's not how thick and heavy something is, it's what it's actually made of that matters.

The bass is back together and the results are great:

Here's a shot with a piece of paper not able to go into the gap:

It worked like a charm and only cost me some time. That's always a bonus!

 

[walterw]

a bit of a bump, sue me

5) Drilled out some "coutersink" divots to the size of the screws

6) Drilled screw holes

nicely done, but why that order, rather than screw holes then countersink?

 

[rojo412]

Good question... At the time, I was basically making sure the divot allowed for a central point to keep the smaller bit centered. I was also concerned about chipping chrome as I bore down on things.

But in retrospect, I'm sure it would have worked fine the other way, too. The bit was shaving the metal away, not chipping it.

 

[daveman50]

Did the change have any effect on tone?

 

[rojo412]

It had sustain for days!

But seriously folks, I didn't notice much. I honestly didn't have the bass for very long.
I'm sure it helped with sustain, for the fact that the anchor point was no longer mobile.