I have a problem with my bridge.

[tu66]

I got a strange bridge system. I haven't find such a system in any catalogues. Fender.com also have no tele with such a bridge.

The hint is that strings do not go through body. They are fixed at the metal plate. One technic said that it's kind of an experimental system on tele made in 90s. So there's no wonder that I've not found that system at guitars Fender now produces.

The problem is that one or two "bolts" at the "understrings" turns off (go up) in some time playing. That means string goes down -> tune is down. Technic rised neck a little higher so bolts went down. Angle of string went higher and force on bolts got higher.
It made bolts less turning but the problem still is.

There are pics of my bridge:

[img]img src="http://www.ljplus.ru/img2/t/u/tu66/bridge1.jpg[/img]

[img]img src="http://www.ljplus.ru/img2/t/u/tu66/bridge2.jpg[/img]

Please help!
Thanks for attention and sorry for my poor english. ;)

[Durtdog]

I'm not sure I understand the problem completely, but I don't believe it's a bridge problem. I think your problem may be with the saddles. Try some different saddles (Fender or another brand), it may help stabilize the strings.

[jwells393]

I think tu66 is saying the height adjustment screws on the two small strings are loosening with vibrations of the guitar. The screws move up........... the saddle moves down .......... the strings go flat. The must be something ........ maybe Locktite which will prevent the screws from coming loose but not make an adjustment permanent. Durtdog's solution of replacing the saddles is probably the way to go.

Tu66 ........ what you have there is what we call a top-loader bridge ............ nothing wrong with that.

[Rich Rice]

That design is their worst one, in my opinion. There are three things you can do.

1) Mix slow setting epoxy, remove the setscrews, coat the threads, then do your setup. It will usually hold good enough to keep your settings, but you can still move the screws later if you need to by using a good fitting allen wrench. Don't go crazy with it, just enough to coat the threads.

2) Buy a new bridge and drill it out to make it top loading. Go with 3 barrel saddles if you choose this option. They offer stability that your current bridge will never give you.

3) Replace the bridge with the new Wilkinson staggered saddle type, which is combination top load or string through.

Good luck, I know that is an aggravating condition.

[Rich Rice]

Originally Posted by jwells393

I think tu66 is saying the height adjustment screws on the two small strings are loosening with vibrations of the guitar. The screws move up........... the saddle moves down .......... the strings go flat. The must be something ........ maybe Locktite which will prevent the screws from coming loose but not make an adjustment permanent. Durtdog's solution of replacing the saddles is probably the way to go.

Tu66 ........ what you have there is what we call a top-loader bridge ............ nothing wrong with that.

JWells, you are exactly right, but Loctite won't do it. I've tried over and over. Epoxy is permanent enough to do the job, but not permanent enough to damage anything.:)

[yegbert]

Here are good image links of tu66's guitar, so we all can see the pics here inline:



tu66, what is the manufacturer and specific model of this guitar?

It looks similar to the bridge assembly that came on my '98 Squier Standard:


My bridge plate has both the top loading and the string through holes.

Can you take and post another picture of the bridge plate that's more close-up and not angled, so we can get a better look at the type of saddles and the number and placement of the screws that hold down the bridge plate?

[tu66]

2 Durtdog.
Yes I've been looking for different saddles, but at our shops all the saddles do not match to my bridge..

2 jwells393.
What is loctite? I do not understand. ;) Have you a pic of what you said?

2 Rich@wildriceband.com.
One musician told me the same. I think I'll try that thing.

2 yegbert.
Guitar is Fender Telecaster (mexican). Made approximately in 90-s. I don't exactly know the specific model, I do not know them. The bridge at your pic is the same as mine. Screws are the same too. The differ is that my bridge do not have holes through body and strings are fixed at plate as shown at my pics.

[Rich Rice]

tu66-
I use a wooden toothpick to mix the epoxy (usually on the back of a small paper plate) , then use the same toothpick to smear a small drop into the threads. Be sparing, and it is an invisible repair. It only takes a tiny bit. Good luck!
Rich