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Um, what are those allen bolts for on my Bongo Bridge?

Discussion in 'Hardware, Setup & Repair [BG]' started by SlimT, Feb 16, 2004.


  1. Feb 16, 2004 #1
    SlimT

    SlimT

    Feb 27, 2002
    Eden Prairie, MN
    Hey!

    This is my first MM/EB bass, a black bongo.

    What are those two allen bolts for on the bridge?
    (I'm assuming they are for something, but, you know
    what happens when you assume. If they were just to
    hold the bridge down, why didn't they just use screws?)

    I didn't get anything from Musicians Fiend in the way of
    literature with the bass (not even allen wrenches for the
    bridge or truss rod), and I couldn't find anything on the
    EB website.

    TIA
     
  5. Feb 17, 2004 #2
    merlin

    merlin

    Apr 15, 2000
    Adelaide, South Australia
    Im assuming you mean the two tiny allen bolts that sit on each of the saddles? They are used for adjusting saddle height which you use for finer adjustment of your action (how high the strings sit off the fretboard).

    :D:D

    Merls
     
  10. Feb 17, 2004 #3
    SlimT

    SlimT

    Feb 27, 2002
    Eden Prairie, MN
    Merlin:

    Thanks for replying! Let me clarify by means of a photo:



    It's the bolts on the outside of the saddles. They are the big ones, there are two of them.
     
  14. Feb 17, 2004 #4
    Hambone

    Hambone

    Mar 18, 2000
    Atlanta/Loganville
    Those are actually the bolts that anchor the bridge IINM. They're just a fancy big headed allen bolt to spread the load. I don't know but it would be neat if they threaded into metal inserts in the body but that might be too much to ask.
     
  18. Feb 17, 2004 #5
    SlimT

    SlimT

    Feb 27, 2002
    Eden Prairie, MN
    Hambone:

    Thanks, dude!
     
  22. Feb 17, 2004 #6
    lonote

    lonote

    May 1, 2002
    Cottage Grove, St. Paul suburb
    It's hard to tell from the picture, but could they possibly raise and lower (each side of) the whole bridge like the thumbscrews on a tune-o-matic do?
     
  26. Feb 18, 2004 #7
    SlimT

    SlimT

    Feb 27, 2002
    Eden Prairie, MN
    That's what I was wondering, too. I didn't want to try it unless I know what the story is.

    :confused:
     
  31. Feb 19, 2004 #8
    tplyons

    tplyons

    Apr 6, 2003
    Madison, NJ
    Nope. Just bridge mouning. I wondered the same thing a couple months ago.
     
  35. Feb 19, 2004 #9
    Hambone

    Hambone

    Mar 18, 2000
    Atlanta/Loganville
    No need to raise or lower either side of the chassis when each string saddle has individual height adjustment
     
  39. Feb 19, 2004 #10
    SlimT

    SlimT

    Feb 27, 2002
    Eden Prairie, MN
    Here's the answer from Dave Nelson at EB/MM:

    Those are the bridge bolts that screw into brass inserts in the body
    that help with the sustain and tone.

    :)