Bridge saddle tilt?

[scissorlock]

I've been having a problem with the bridge on my '07 R8 lately, and it's been getting progressively worse. I'm not sure if I can even photograph it properly....my camera won't zoom that close. I'll try to describe it as best I can:

On the G, and A strings, I reversed the saddles (flat side toward the tailpiece) in order to intonate them properly, which they do. But now the adjustment screws won't sit in their grooves.

When tuned to pitch, the screw/saddle lift upwards slightly. The screw heads tilt up out of their grooves and contact the strings. As a result, the A and G strings buzz constantly, even when open.

Has anybody else encountered this problem?

[Lemonhead]

Gibson sometimes bends those screws when they whack the string to create the notch in the saddle.

[Daeborn]

Originally Posted by 83135

Gibson sometimes bends those screws when they whack the string to create the notch in the saddle.

Yep, mine was horrible so I replaced the bridge.

[uburoibob]

I had the same problem. I put the tiniest amount of Guitar Grease in the slot and, with a slot-head screwdriver and using another screwdriver handle as the "hammer" gently tapped them back into place. They tend to wander up when you adjust the intonation...

[scissorlock]

Originally Posted by 83135

Gibson sometimes bends those screws when they whack the string to create the notch in the saddle.

Ahh.....that makes total sense. I had noticed that the more I turned the adjustment screw, the higher it came out of it's slot.

Will gently hammering them as they are right now straighten them out? I'm assuming so....

[Lemonhead]

I'd buy a new set.

[scissorlock]

Originally Posted by 83135

I'd buy a new set.

Will the screws that come with the Gibson Pure replacement saddles fit in my bridge, or do I need special Historic-spec parts?

[uburoibob]

Chances are, the screw isn't bent. It would take a pretty intense amount of pressure to cause that to happen, considering the territory the bridge insert covers. It's more that their tolerances are very tight and their manufacturing quality isn't quite as 'tight'.

You'll run into it with replacements too. Really, just tap it down. It will go in just fine. I'd think that once you have the intonation where you want it, you won't be tempted to adjust it anymore and life will be beautiful again.

Bob

[dave999z]

i had one that looked bent. it really just wasn't down all the way.

try wrapping some electrical tape a few times around a flathead screwdriver, then using the side of the flathead to push it down (with your thumb on top, think fonzie). the tape prevents you from scratching the metal

[59bluze]

Get some good quality replacement saddles with screws, I generally take the string out of the slot when moving the screws and hold down the screw so it does not ride up when I strobe tune, then put the string back in and recheck intonation, The problem I found is Gibson sometimes drills the screw wholes cocked a bit,I found this on three out of four Historics I have bought, not good Quality control, Wound up Replacing the Saddles in mine and problem solved, My 1999 R6 Bridge works perfect no troubles and it is Factory orig, I just dont get it with Gibsons Q.C.

[weirdotis]

My whole bridge post on the bass side is bent slightly backwards. I doubt this does anything, but I'm a little anal so I'd like to know if I need a new bridge.

[r9in09]

Originally Posted by 83135

Gibson sometimes bends those screws when they whack the string to create the notch in the saddle.

this doesn't make a whole lot of sense considering that the saddles themselves rest upon the bridge for support and not the screws...

what's likely happening is the combo of a very steep angle to the tailpiece and the position of the saddle itself causing enough leverage to raise the screw slightly and cause the condition he's experiencing.

[scissorlock]

Originally Posted by r9in09

what's likely happening is the combo of a very steep angle to the tailpiece and the position of the saddle itself causing enough leverage to raise the screw slightly and cause the condition he's experiencing.

That's what I had thought at first, which is why I topwrapped my tailpiece on the last string change. In fact, the problem became worse once I did that. I figured the downward pressure from not topwrapping previously was keeping the screws from popping up so much.

Whatever the cause, I took the bridge out yesterday and hammered the screw heads gently with a hammer until they sat neatly in their grooves. When I reinstalled the bridge and tuned to pitch, they stayed put.

I suppose the bent screws could be attributed to any of the causes mentioned previously in the thread, but at least now I (and others with similar problems) know how to fix it.

Thanks everyone!

[ashbass]

A stock screw from a gibson I had a while back:




Tolerances for gibson saddles:

[oldgtarz]

Had the same issue here with my cherry CR8 and it seemed to get worst when I top wrapped it.
My ice tea CR8 had a tonepros bridge when I got it and that guitar just sings, so I went on ebay and got me a nice tonepros avr2 replacement (wireless). No more rattle and I can hardly believe the tonal difference. It was a great guitar but now it's an awesome guitar! Everything just got so much richer..

[ZombieAttack]

I was disappointed with the exact same situation on my 2008 R0 and got a pigtail wireless ABR. Not cheap but solved all the problems being discussed.

[NowGibson]

thanks for posting the pics ashbass.

[The Rooter]

Originally Posted by oldgtarz

Had the same issue here with my cherry CR8 and it seemed to get worst when I top wrapped it.
My ice tea CR8 had a tonepros bridge when I got it and that guitar just sings, so I went on ebay and got me a nice tonepros avr2 replacement (wireless). No more rattle and I can hardly believe the tonal difference. It was a great guitar but now it's an awesome guitar! Everything just got so much richer..

Hey oldgtarz - when did Tonepros start making a wireless AVR-II? Do you mean you took the wire off?

[oldgtarz]

Rooter: I have no idea, my ice tea has one with a wire, but that came with the guitar when I got it. This new one is without wire...

[Daeborn]

Originally Posted by The Rooter

Hey oldgtarz - when did Tonepros start making a wireless AVR-II? Do you mean you took the wire off?

The wire is for looks. There's a little c-ring which holds the screw into place. You can hardly see it near the head of the screw just inside the runner area. Needle nose pliers will remove it to get the saddle out.

Least that is how my RS Guitarworks TP bridge was.