Size of allen key for Fender bridge saddle screws

[spellcaster]

I need to know the size off allen key that would fit the heads of the saddles in a Fender bridge. I used to build instruments but have sold all my tools and just discovered that I didn't save any of the allen keys that used to adjust saddle heights. I'll need to buy a set of allen keys from a tool retailer but don't know what size is required.

 

[Freeman Keller]

Fender bridges should be 0.050 inch, some aftermarket bridges are 1.5mm. Get several of each.

 

[schmee]

Mine seem to be 1/16"nominal. They measure a few thousanth's under that at .058/.059 across the flats consistently from wrench to wrench.

 

[Billy3]

Fender bridges should be 0.050 inch, some aftermarket bridges are 1.5mm. Get several of each.

+1^

 

[Billy3]

Fender bridges should be 0.050 inch, some aftermarket bridges are 1.5mm. Get several of each.

Those little suckers tend to disappear don't they?

 

[spellcaster]

Thanks for the responses. I called the local music store and they asked me to bring in one of guitars in question and when I did, they tried some and gave me one that fit. I think I should also go to a tool store and buy a set though.

 

[Telenator]

It could be Imperial, (fractional) or Metric, depending on where the guitar was made.

 

[Freeman Keller]

Thanks for the responses. I called the local music store and they asked me to bring in one of guitars in question and when I did, they tried some and gave me one that fit. I think I should also go to a tool store and buy a set though.

Unfortunately things are not very well standardized in the guitar industry. Allen headed bolts are used in quite a few places and they can be either metric or imperial. Truss rods, bridges and tremolos, odd ball bits of hardware. I recommend getting a set of both metric and SAE (Imperial) allen wrenches and make sure the little ones (0.050 inch and 1.5 mm) are included - many sets don't have them.

Ball-end Hex Keys - StewMac

These industrial-grade steel wrenches work in tight spots when ordinary allen keys won't.

www.stewmac.com

When I work on a new guitar its usually a matter of experimenting with both sets until I find the one that works, then I right down in the back of my shop notebook what it was - ie Fender truss rod - 1/8 inch, Martin truss rod - 5mm, and so on. That way the next time I run into one I know the wrench size.

 

[Rbert0005]

Those little suckers tend to disappear don't they?

Not if you put them back in the holder the set came in.

 

[Beebe]

AllParts has a variety and many in driver form... which should be less likely to disappear.

You can probably find them for less from dealers as AllParts has generous dealer pricing, but here they are.

Hex Wrenches

Shop Parts at Allparts®. Find Gotoh, Allen Wrenches and more. Browse, buy, or become a dealer.

www.allparts.com

 

[Boreas]

^^^^^^^^^^
This!

I would get this set from Allparts, or wherever. It covers all the bases and a couple others. Typically, SAE are 0.050", imports are 1.5MM. I keep them on a magnetic tool rack, which keeps the shafts mag-no-tized as well!

 

[schmee]

Mine seem to be 1/16"nominal. They measure a few thousanth's under that at .058/.059 across the flats consistently from wrench to wrench.

I wonder if this is because most of my bridges are Mexi or etc? For the narrow string spacing. Are US ones the .050 hex?

 

[TimTam]

MIA 0.050" (1.27mm), others 1.5mm. Get ones with screwdriver handles as others have suggested and you're less likely to lose them (and they're easier to use). Or if you already have the small L-shaped ones, get an inexpensive double-ended pin vise off ebay, cut off the short arms of the two allen keys, insert one in each end ... and you have a single tool for the job.

 

[Rhomco]

Stewmac.com has a awesome setup tool kit with every size you're ever going to need. A bit pricey but the highest quality. I have been using mine weekly for 20 year ssd's.
Rob