Are the Hipshot String Springs Necessary?

[ChinaTwanger]

Hello All!

I'm converting a Hipshot B-Bender to a G-Bender for installation on a Fender Nashville B-Bender guitar and I'm wondering if those springs that extend to the front of the Hipshot and hold down the strings are really necessary. The instructions make no mention of them and on the Hipshot website some are shown with the springs and some show the device without them. They are ugly and I think if the hole in the backplate of the bridge is low enough these springs are unnecessary.

How have you all dealt with this?

[jjh37854]

I would say if you have a hole in the back of your bridge plate I your fine without them. I know some people have created a notch in the bridgeplate instead of the hole, in that case you would nee the downward pressure from those springs (even though it wouldnt really provide enough). My only concern would be friction between the bridge plate hole and the string, but you can solve that with the teflon tubing, I don't think that the arm would even help all that much in that respect anyway.

cheers
jj

[ChinaTwanger]

That's what I was hoping. It must be kind of a pain to thread strings through the teflon tubes when you break one, however.

[PhatTele]

Now that you mention it, on mine, the springs (at least at the ends) tend to be more of a guide, but barely so. They actually don't do all that much at all. BTW - I use the teflon tubes through drilled holes.

[bender-freak]

i utilize the springs on all my hipshot equipped guitars, but take a pair of needle nose pliers and put a bend downward in the middle of the length so the "guide" part is flush with the top of the guitar; keeps string tension on the saddles a little tighter and a small piece of scotch tape under the end of the springs will keep them from scratching your guitar and will not be seen from 5 feet away....

[J. Hayes]

the first thing I ever did with my first unit was throw those damn things away and just shim the neck a little so I could raise the bridge pieces a little for a better angle. I also don't like the "holes & tubing" thing in the bridge piece. I just cut the slot so the sting when it leaves the HipShot doesn't encounter anything until it crosses over the bridge. It's nice to have it "out in the open" like that. What I like to do on occasion is to go to an A chord on the fifth fret and apply the bender which makes brings in the sixth and reach back with my knuckle and push it down to make a dominant 7th. It's a nice sounding effect, especially with a little distortion added..........JH in Va.

[ChinaTwanger]

Originally Posted by J. Hayes

the first thing I ever did with my first unit was throw those damn things away and just shim the neck a little so I could raise the bridge pieces a little for a better angle. I also don't like the "holes & tubing" thing in the bridge piece. I just cut the slot so the sting when it leaves the HipShot doesn't encounter anything until it crosses over the bridge. It's nice to have it "out in the open" like that. What I like to do on occasion is to go to an A chord on the fifth fret and apply the bender which makes brings in the sixth and reach back with my knuckle and push it down to make a dominant 7th. It's a nice sounding effect, especially with a little distortion added..........JH in Va.

This sounds like a good solution to me. I also don't like those springs sticking out and the tubes seem like a hassle when I have to change a string in the dark with a few drinks in me. Thanks for the advice J.