Truss rod paranoia

[paul_yan]

Here it is, Jeff:
http://personal.nbnet.nb.ca/mccorp/4000seriesbridge.html

I just replaced the original intonation screws with black hex slotted screws of the same dimension which can be easily turened with the bridge height adjustment wrench. Intonation adjustments are easy with these screws. No need to mill the teeth notches of the tailpiece, which is a non-reversable mod. No need to lower the mute pad when adjusting intonation either.

[rickaddict]

Cool, thanks. I've found that installing tiny springs between the screw head and the saddle helps keep everything in place. I usually drill out the screw holes in the bridge just enough to allow the screws to turn easily. But if I bring in my guitar to a guitar tech, it will usually come back with the screw heads rounded out!

[rickaddict]

By the way, Paul...I don't think I've ever seen allen head screws with such a short head. The ones that I always seem to find would have heads that were about 1/8" tall and would keep me from being able to lower the bridge height in the tailpiece.

[rickcrazy]

'MA mod': Mark Arnquist mod.
Yes, some time ago I followed Paul's very sound advice and fitted the saddles on all my Rick basses save for the 1970 21 fret 4001 with said black Allen screws instead which resulted in a major improvement.

[paul_yan]

Jeff,
The screw alone looks like this. They don't interfere with bridge height adjustment.

Good luck finding them at your local screw shop. Indeed, installing tiny springs between the screw head and the saddle is a good idea!


Sérgio,
Glad you like the screw mod. Yeah, pre-mid-'73 bridges are a little shorter (front-to-back) than the current ones. I had to have my luthier friend cut apprx. 1/16" off the treaded part of the screws to fit my '72 bridge.

[rickaddict]

Good idea, Thanks!