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What bridge saddle-height adjustment screws?

A

AnnihilatePrime

Nov 15, 2022
9
2
#1
I have a first model Fender Duff McKagan Precision Bass (and also the newer model Deluxe Precision, but this refers to the first). I noticed the E (D#) string saddle was missing one of its two saddle-height adjustment screws. The Fender Service Diagram says the part# is 002-1093-049. These translate to #6-32 x 7/16”. I ordered a set, and… they have too thick a diameter, and the threads appear courser when compared to one from the instrument; the length (7/16”) is correct. Measuring them with a gauge in a hardware store the diameter was bigger than a “3” but very slightly smaller than “4”. The original ones adjust with a .15 hex driver.

I live basically hell and gone from anywhere. The closest music store is three hours away. Any thoughts on what is the correct screw so I don’t keep ordering random but potentially wrong (or right) parts?

Thanks a bunch!
. 26DA782F-48E9-41CC-9089-AC626C4C80BB.pngD4112099-B926-4FBB-8142-C30D8DF0E0CD.png
15A94ABB-6C5D-4E60-91BE-082817F0EA14.jpeg
 
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#4
Nothing at the hardware store matched the original?

Looking at the picture, with nothing to compare to, the one labeled as “replacement” looks like 6-32’s I have here. If the original is smaller my first guess is metric or 4-40. I don’t know if the hardware store will have 4-40 on the test display but they probably have some in the bins.
 
#5
Matt Liebenau said:
Nothing at the hardware store matched the original?

Looking at the picture, with nothing to compare to, the one labeled as “replacement” looks like 6-32’s I have here. If the original is smaller my first guess is metric or 4-40. I don’t know if the hardware store will have 4-40 on the test display but they probably have some in the bins.
Click to expand...
The one labeled “replacement” is indeed the 6-32’s. And the hardware store had nothing smaller. Is 4-40 a common saddle-adjuster screw size? Something I could easily find and order? Does/did Fender use metric sizes?
 
#6
I think the thread sizes depend on where the bass or hardware was made. MIJ would be metric hardware. I could be mistaken though. I do work on instruments but I haven’t memorized the minutiae of all the hardware.

A quick look online shows that the nominal size of a 6-32 is between 3 and 4mm but there are also 3.5mm bolts that have a thread pitch that appears in their pictures to be closer to what the original screw looks like in your picture. If I read your post correctly the original was between 3 and 4mm? So that’s a possibility. Hopefully someone else will chime in.
 
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#8
Matt Liebenau said:
I think the thread sizes depend on where the bass or hardware was made. MIJ would be metric hardware. I could be mistaken though. I do work on instruments but I haven’t memorized the minutiae of all the hardware.

A quick look online shows that the nominal size of a 6-32 is between 3 and 4mm but there are also 3.5mm bolts that have a thread pitch that appears in their pictures to be closer to what the original screw looks like in your picture. If I read your post correctly the original was between 3 and 4mm? So that’s a possibility. Hopefully someone else will chime in.
Click to expand...
That could very well be the case. I will look into it!
 
#12
AnnihilatePrime said:
With the holidays, no. And I couldn’t find a number on Fender.com… At least not under “Contact Us”. Thanks for that. That may be the best bet. I guess this does count as a “Non-Media Inquiries”.
Click to expand...
Yeah, whatever, They don’t make it too easy.
I just Found this number for Fender customer service in my cellphone contacts from few years ago. Just called it and verified it is still correct by the recording. I would try it first.
(844) 202-0924
 
#13
LoveThatBass said:
Yeah, whatever, They don’t make it too easy.
I just Found this number for Fender customer service in my cellphone contacts from few years ago. Just called it and verified it is still correct by the recording. I would try it first.
(844) 202-0924
Click to expand...
I called Fender at this number, sat on hold for a lonnnng, lonnnng time, and ended up talking to a real person (which was cool). As it turns out, the part number (and size- #6-32 x 7/16”) provided by the Fender Service Diagram is (allegedly) correct for the CURRENT model Duff Bass which is a MiM. However, mine (also MiM) dates at 12/2016. Apparently, a while back (don't know when for sure), MiM basses used metric hardware and two or three years ago they switched to imperial hardware. The CS rep didn't know the exact size that the saddle-height adjustment screws used to be, however he is looking into it more and claims he will contact me with the "correct" size.

Based on all of this, I measured them, and it came in at about 12mm length and around 3mm diameter. I looked around and ordered some M3X12's. I didn't see anything offering thread pitch options. We'll see how it goes.

Thanks for all the suggestions.
 
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#14
AnnihilatePrime said:
I called Fender at this number, sat on hold for a lonnnng, lonnnng time, and ended up talking to a real person (which was cool). As it turns out, the part number (and size- #6-32 x 7/16”) provided by the Fender Service Diagram is (allegedly) correct for the CURRENT model Duff Bass which is a MiM. However, mine (also MiM) dates at 12/2016. Apparently, a while back (don't know when for sure), MiM basses used metric hardware and two or three years ago they switched to imperial hardware. The CS rep didn't know the exact size that the saddle-height adjustment screws used to be, however he is looking into it more and claims he will contact me with the "correct" size.

Based on all of this, I measured them, and it came in at about 12mm length and around 3mm diameter. I looked around and ordered some M3X12's. I didn't see anything offering thread pitch options. We'll see how it goes.

Thanks for all the suggestions.
Click to expand...
Did you ever solve this, as I have exactly the same problem. 2020 Duff Mckagan signature bass, where I want to swap the bridge height grub screws as they bite into my hand. I've tried 5-40 x 5/16, which is close but the thread is not the same.
 

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