Thunderbird Club

[GBassNorth]

Interesting that you posted that question at this time. As fate would have it I'm having the same exact issue and was in fact getting ready to post to ask for some help with the same issue. Got my Classic IV out for a bit of practice yesterday and noticed the E string side stud was up a bit. I had the bridge set about level (I've read plenty of times that the rear of the bridge should be lower than the front side), so I thought I'd readjust it so the rear was lower than the front. That just made things way worse, now both are pulling out and won't stay in despite pushing them back down and readjusting the bridge a couple of times. First time I've encountered this, the Bird is a 2008 model and I've owned it a couple of years now.

Now, I've read plenty before on how others have addressed the fix for this and I THINK I have a fair idea of how to go about it, but rather than sort through several hundred pages of this thread thought I'd just ask again knowing that several of you here have the ready information to share. So thank you in advance for helping myself and @rodv66 get our Birds straightened out, all help sincerely appreciated.

See my post from a few minutes ago. It's one way to skin the cat. Not that I'm into skinning cats, I love the little critters.

 

[EdO.]

If the threaded body inserts are pulling out of the body - simply remove the loose ones, insert a few flat toothpicks with some wood glue on them into the holes (resting against the sidewall of the hole) and before the glue dries gently tap the inserts back in place. Let the glue dry over night then reassemble the bridge. When adjusting a three point bridge be sure to slacken the strings before raising or lowering any of the three large height adjustment bolts. Also note that you might have a grounding wire attached to or in contact with the rear bridge bolt closest to the output jack, it's important to ensure you have a good contact there when re-setting the inserts back into the body.

Damn, @GBassNorth that was QUICK. Appreciate it!!

 

[rodv66]

If the threaded body inserts are pulling out of the body - simply remove the loose ones, insert a few flat toothpicks with some wood glue on them into the holes (resting against the sidewall of the hole) and before the glue dries gently tap the inserts back in place. Let the glue dry over night then reassemble the bridge. When adjusting a three point bridge be sure to slacken the strings before raising or lowering any of the three large height adjustment bolts. Also note that you might have a grounding wire attached to or in contact with the rear bridge bolt closest to the output jack, it's important to ensure you have a good contact there when re-setting the inserts back into the body.

Thanks,

I hear of people just supergluing the bushings, sticking them in the body holes, letting them dry and then screwing the bridge on. To me, the problem is what if you want to upgrade the bridge and need to take the bushings out?

 

[Klondike]

OK, so need some opinions. The bushings on the 3 point bridge on my Epiphone keep popping out. Took apart bridge several times and as soon as I tune up, they pop out. This is something that I see happens often and many suggest gluing the bushings in. I'm also thinking of just putting in a Hipshot bridge as a replacement. What do you guys and girls think?

What angle do you have the bridge set yo? The front has to be lower than the back or the posts will pull out.

 

[rodv66]

Wondering if that white tape plumbers use to seal pvc pipes would work?

 

[rodv66]

What angle do you have the bridge set yo? The front has to be lower than the back or the posts will pull out.

Had them even, but isn't it the front is higher to take pressure off the rear ones?

 

[GBassNorth]

Damn, @GBassNorth that was QUICK. Appreciate it!!

No problem.
I think the trick with these bridges is partially to keep the instrument in a balanced humidity environment. This time of year in the Midwest and other places where you have to heat the house a lot, things can dry out a bit. I suspect that dry air causes the hole to open up a bit. Combine that with the habit most of us have in making bridge height adjustments with the strings under tension and you've got everything you need to pull those body inserts right out.

If possible try not to let your Bird dry out and always make bridge adjustments with the strings slackened a bit.
Then, Rock on!

 

[Klondike]

Let me look at mine

 

[Dadagoboi]

Wondering if that white tape plumbers use to seal pvc pipes would work?

No, it's made of teflon. I vote for toothpicks/wood glue.

 

[GBassNorth]

What angle do you have the bridge set yo? The front has to be lower than the back or the posts will pull out.

That might be a typo, the front bolt (closest to the bridge pup) should be higher than the back two bolts.

 

[rodv66]

No problem.
I think the trick with these bridges is partially to keep the instrument in a balanced humidity environment. This time of year in the Midwest and other places where you have to heat the house a lot, things can dry out a bit. I suspect that dry air causes the hole to open up a bit. Combine that with the habit most of us have in making bridge height adjustments with the strings under tension and you've got everything you need to pull those body inserts right out.

If possible try not to let your Bird dry out and always make bridge adjustments with the strings slackened a bit.
Then, Rock on!

I tried it with strings barely on, but will try the toothpick idea. I tune it to DGCF as it is

 

[Klondike]

Had them even, but isn't it the front is higher to take pressure off the rear ones?

Yes you are correct! I had it backwards.

 

[rodv66]

Of course this is a perfect excuse to put in a Hipshot.

 

[GBassNorth]

Of course this is a perfect excuse to put in a Hipshot.

That's another way to solve the problem.

 

[EdO.]

Of course this is a perfect excuse to put in a Hipshot.

You have a link to the specific Hipshot bridge in question?

 

[GBassNorth]

Thanks,

I hear of people just supergluing the bushings, sticking them in the body holes, letting them dry and then screwing the bridge on. To me, the problem is what if you want to upgrade the bridge and need to take the bushings out?

You can do it that way also, but for the hobby builder I'd steer clear of crazy glue since it's pretty permanent and can do some serious damage to the finish of the bass if you get messy (not to mention every time I touch the stuff I glue my fingers together - duh).

 

[EdO.]

insert a few flat toothpicks with some wood glue on them into the holes (resting against the sidewall of the hole) and before the glue dries gently tap the inserts back in place

Clarification please - sidewalls meaning (looking down from the top side of the body) at noon and 6 o'clock? Or perhaps one at noon, one at 3, at 6, at 9 etc?

 

[Klondike]

Clarification please - sidewalls meaning (looking down from the top side of the body) at noon and 6 o'clock? Or perhaps one at noon, one at 3, at 6, at 9 etc?

Not to speak for him but that sounds to me like what he is saying. If doin it on my own that is exactly what i would do.

 

[GBassNorth]

Clarification please - sidewalls meaning (looking down from the top side of the body) at noon and 6 o'clock? Or perhaps one at noon, one at 3, at 6, at 9 etc?

There's really not a lot of science involved in it but I'd typically go with one at 9:00 one at noon and one at 3:00.
That would force the insert to bite into the much harder body wood around the 6:00 position. Also, any visible gap created by the toothpicks would be hidden by the bridge body.

 

[Korladis]

OK, so need some opinions. The bushings on the 3 point bridge on my Epiphone keep popping out. Took apart bridge several times and as soon as I tune up, they pop out. This is something that I see happens often and many suggest gluing the bushings in. I'm also thinking of just putting in a Hipshot bridge as a replacement. What do you guys and girls think?

I would go with the Babicz over the Hipshot, personally.