Danelectro U2 Bridge upgrade question

[Cam]

Does the upgraded pro bridge with the individual intonation also sit at an angle on the two height screws or is it screwed flat on the body? I'm anticipating upgrading the bridge on one and wonder about the wedge/centre support trick being necessary.

[andrewnelles]

I put one of these on my DC2. It's about as good as it gets for a Danelectro bridge: http://www.jeffsennguitars.com/page11/page11.html

[craigs63]

Use the existing screws. I didn't, and the ones that came with the upgraded bridge were too long, and started poking through the back. So much for my vintage Masonite.

[fraser]

on my u2 pro,
the bridge still buckles in the center like the old style one.
no matter how i angle the bridge, it does it.
however, its a baritone strung with bass vi strings,
maybe thats playing a part in this.

i did try, and even with a hefty neck shim, i couldnt deck the bridge.
i need to get to making some supports for my danos,
i find it disturbing.

the solution andrewnelles posted above seems pretty good-

[PeterUK]

I've got a work in progress I'll share later.

Dashing around London at the moment.

Peter

[PeterUK]

Originally Posted by PeterUK

I've got a work in progress I'll share later.

Dashing around London at the moment.

Peter

OK, here's the plan.

I also have a Dano which now sports an original Dano Bass VI neck and as with all Danelectros with the six saddle bridge made from the very low grade metal, it's sinking in the middle. Heck, it was sinking when it had the original neck and 10s on it.

My theory is that the height adjustment screws not only lift the saddle but they also force the bridge down and you get the bow along the front edge.

I bought a Jeff Senn / CJ Tooling bridge but for me it had two issues. It sat flat on the deck and I was concerned I would not get the break angle I needed on the strings. I was also unhappy with the indifferent customer service I received and everytime I would look down at the bridge I would be unhappy.

My Plan A was to route a wedge of hardwood the same profile as the bridge and support the bridge that way, but this is now Plan B as I have acquired a Danelectro raw Steel Guitar bridge base from an eBay reseller:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Danelectro-r...-/121049757952

My plan is to remove the existing bridge, fit the new bridge so it sits under the existing/old bridge, support the new raw steel bridge base on steel washers and refit the old bridge. If I turn the new raw steel bridge base upside down, the taper of the existing screws will sit in the recess of the raw steel bridge and, conveniently the taper at the string anchor end will fit conveniently in the gap at the rear of the bridge.

As the new raw steel bridge base is thick, solid steel, it's not going to bend and the soft metal existing bridge would be able to bend either.

I'll need to trim the saddle screws as they do poke beneath the soft metal bridge and I want to avoid that.

I'm hoping to retain the same bridge angle, the same string break, have the space beneath the front of the bridge and have a discreet mod with retains the vibe of the original guitar.

Hopefully I'll find the time to do this at the weekend. I'll report back and let you know if it works.

Peter

[Cam]

I have an all parts u3 bridge coming. http://www.allparts.com/SB-5800-010-...ge_p_3341.html
At least I think that is what L&M is bringing in.

I'll bet it is still a softer metal which will still bend over time. At least it should intonate better. I will make a hard wood or metal wedge for the added support. I might follow your advice too Peter. Thanks all

[Post Toastie]

Originally Posted by Cam

I have an all parts u3 bridge coming. http://www.allparts.com/SB-5800-010-...ge_p_3341.html
At least I think that is what L&M is bringing in.

I'll bet it is still a softer metal which will still bend over time. At least it should intonate better. I will make a hard wood or metal wedge for the added support. I might follow your advice too Peter. Thanks all

Looks like you have to loosen the string to adjust the intonation everytime till you get it right.

[jmiles]

I used hardttail Strat bridges on both my U2 and my Baritone. They work perfectly. String-spacing is right. Intonation is perfect. If I ever decide to put the original bridges back on, they cover the screwholes for the Strat bridge.

[Cam]

jmiles, I've mulled the hardtail idea too. Any directions on crucial measurements/ placement will be appreciated.
Poast Toastie, I noted that about the bridge too, thanks though.

[jmiles]

I just sorta winged it. I put a piece of masking tape on either side of the dano bridge, and made pencil marks as to where the strings crossed the bridge. Removed the Dano bridge.
Using those marks gave me an indication of where to mount the hardtail, as far as length/scale was concerned. I put a piece of masking tape down about where the screws would be for the hardtail. You want to mount it so you have room to adjust the pieces back and forth, so somewhere in about the middle of the intonation screw's range.
Attached the hi and lo E strings to the hardtail, and cranked it into position, length/scale/wise. Used the strings to position the bridge so the strings were in the correct place on the fretboard, and marked the holes on the piece of masking tape.
Centerpunch, carefully! Then drill. Took about a half hour.
Once you start, it will be really obvious just what to do. Pretty simple.

[Cam]

Installed the All Parts 6 saddle and so far so good. I still blocked underneath it as point of paranoia. Mildly inconvenient to intonate with the saddle screws right underneath the string. Loosen tweak, loosen tweak, loosen tweak..... hey a new band name.....

But looking at the replacement bridge design I'm thinking drill three holes and add some comp. saddles, ditch the old ones, install flat. Does it ever stop?

[telepath]

Originally Posted by PeterUK

.

Hopefully I'll find the time to do this at the weekend. I'll report back and let you know if it works.

Peter

Hi Peter,

Just wondering - Did you get round to trying this yet?

My Dano U2 bridge is apparently auditioning for work as a prop in the next 'Robin Hood', and I was wondering if I should scan the horizons for that steel version you found . If it worked out well for you.