Sanding the bottom of the bridge?

Strat82 · October 31st, 2003, 02:14 PM

i'm about to put on a new bridge on my 52 tele...it's a gotoh that has no lip.

anyway, i've read things by dan earlwine about sanding the bottom of a new bridge on a flat surface with 80-grit, which will give the bridge to guitar more coupling and therefore improve tone.

does this really help? should i go through with this step?

thanks,
scott

Bob Mc · October 31st, 2003, 02:25 PM

but on my partsacaster I sanded mine smooth. In all honesty, I didn't do a before and after test, I just trust that some things make sense. Good coupling of bridge to body makes sense to me.

Kevin · October 31st, 2003, 02:50 PM

Pouch,

You probably don't need to do it on the Gotoh modern-style bridge. They are heavier duty and are pretty much flat to start with. Besides, you'd never sand that thing, anyway.

You really only "need" to do it on the thin, vintage-style, stamped bridges, as they are notoriously unflat.

I've never sanded one in my life and have never had a problem.

Bob Mc · October 31st, 2003, 03:03 PM

Quote:

You really only "need" to do it on the thin, vintage-style, stamped bridges, as they are notoriously unflat.

Is what I have and it sure needed it, YMMV.

PeterUK · October 31st, 2003, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin

You really only "need" to do it on the thin, vintage-style, stamped bridges, as they are notoriously unflat.

You're not kidding. I saw the tip in Dan Erlewine's book too, checked mine with a straight edge and was shocked to see a mini rollercoaster profile.

After a little grinding, it was flat and smooth which can only add to better playability.

Give it a go. I can do any harm.

Regards

Peter

Strat82 · October 31st, 2003, 03:16 PM

i totally didn't realize that dan was mainly talking about the vintage bridges...the gotoh seems to way 3 to 4 times more than the original.

i guess since it does have so much mass to it, it won't make much of a difference...at least so minute i doubt i'd realize it.

thanks for all the help guys

'ol hank pank · November 4th, 2003, 01:44 PM

and recommend it.

Doug S. · November 5th, 2003, 01:59 PM

Hmmm....sounds like an urban myth to me. In fact, sanding or grinding would dull and/or alter the metal surface (both by heat and friction) which COULD negatively impact the tone transfer. It's a nice project if you're really really really bored some afternoon.

October 31st, 2003, 02:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
Strat82 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: In the Southwest Age: 26 Posts: 374	Sanding the bottom of the bridge? i'm about to put on a new bridge on my 52 tele...it's a gotoh that has no lip. anyway, i've read things by dan earlwine about sanding the bottom of a new bridge on a flat surface with 80-grit, which will give the bridge to guitar more coupling and therefore improve tone. does this really help? should i go through with this step? thanks, scott

October 31st, 2003, 02:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
Bob Mc Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mo'town NJ Posts: 1,585	I'm no rocket surgeon (really) but on my partsacaster I sanded mine smooth. In all honesty, I didn't do a before and after test, I just trust that some things make sense. Good coupling of bridge to body makes sense to me. __________________ All of us contain Music & Truth, but most of us can't get it out. Mark Twain

October 31st, 2003, 03:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
Strat82 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: In the Southwest Age: 26 Posts: 374	never realized that, kevin... i totally didn't realize that dan was mainly talking about the vintage bridges...the gotoh seems to way 3 to 4 times more than the original. i guess since it does have so much mass to it, it won't make much of a difference...at least so minute i doubt i'd realize it. thanks for all the help guys

November 4th, 2003, 01:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
'ol hank pank Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Scotia NY Posts: 436	I did it and recommend it. __________________ TDPRI tpyo Myster

November 5th, 2003, 01:59 PM	#8 (permalink)
Doug S. Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Douglasville, GA Posts: 113	Hmmm....sounds like an urban myth to me. In fact, sanding or grinding would dull and/or alter the metal surface (both by heat and friction) which COULD negatively impact the tone transfer. It's a nice project if you're really really really bored some afternoon. __________________ Doug "Doo Wa Diddy, Diddy, Dum Diddy Doo"

October 31st, 2003, 02:50 PM	#3 (permalink)
Kevin Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Terre Haute, IN Posts: 2,967	Pouch, You probably don't need to do it on the Gotoh modern-style bridge. They are heavier duty and are pretty much flat to start with. Besides, you'd never sand that thing, anyway. You really only "need" to do it on the thin, vintage-style, stamped bridges, as they are notoriously unflat. I've never sanded one in my life and have never had a problem.