Adding 2 extra screws on the bridgeplate question

[geddyleedog]

I apparently need to add two extra screws to the bridgeplate of my early '90s American Tele because I'm getting some vibrations. Has anyone done this? I have a few questions. What should I expect when drilling. Is this a hardened piece of metal that will be difficult to drill through? Did you use the same size screws that are already holding the plate down? Also, where did you place the additional screws. There is plenty of room on the high E side of the plate. But it seems that the only place I can put an extra screw on the low E side is on the between the saddles and the pickup. Thanks in advance!

[Kevin]

Usually those extra screws go at the front edge. In that case, you should have plenty of room on the bass side.

A couple of things you could try before drilling your bridge and putting a hole in your guitar would be to melt some wax and coat the bottom of the bridge, or to grind/sand the bottom of your bridge perfectly flat.

[red57strat]

I'd try Kevin's advise first.

If you do end up drilling, I think your base plate will be pretty soft.

The base plate on my '96 Am. Std. is a soft non-magnetic metal (brass?).