Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 6:06 pm
Yup. Perhaps the loose screws contribute to the acoustical problems on some 4001s. I took my tailpiece off and slipped some washers onto the the three bridge screws and the sound took a serious turn for the worse. The lifeless E string returned in spades. This is a complex problem.
Unless I am missing something here, the only problem with the pre-load theory is that the deflection occurs BEHIND the two rear screws. Those two screws hold the tailpiece more or less flat against the wood so that excessive down force at the three bridge screws would tend to be neutralized. Though Chris's theory would certainly hold true if the two rear screws were loose and the three bridge screws were over-tight.
Unless I am missing something here, the only problem with the pre-load theory is that the deflection occurs BEHIND the two rear screws. Those two screws hold the tailpiece more or less flat against the wood so that excessive down force at the three bridge screws would tend to be neutralized. Though Chris's theory would certainly hold true if the two rear screws were loose and the three bridge screws were over-tight.