Bridge repair, cheap as free.

[Friburg]

As the title depicts, I need some help with the bridge on my LP, it's a 1989 Epi LP which plays lovely but the bridge is really, really high because the saddles are really warn in, like REALLY warn in.

Problem is that unemployment is taking it's toll along with debt my ex left me in before getting the hell out of my life, so I don't have any money at all to take it to my local luthier. So, the only option I have is to fix it at home somehow. A friend of mine said try putting a blob of solder in the groove and filing it down to the desired depth, but we all know that solder wont cut it as it's too soft and will most likely do more harm than good.

I'm all out of ideas of what could work, so I put it to you awesome and brainy folk to help me out on this.

The key to all of this is money, or the lack of rather.

I look forward to hearing some of your ideas, but I get the feeling I will have to bear with it until I have some money to buy a bridge.

Scotty.

P.S. If you require pictures just leave a comment. Note: The pictures are not for the faint hearted as they're pretty deeply worn in.

 

[LP Traditional]

Maybe you could get some brass or steel sheet metal and cut out small rectangular bits that you could bend to a sharp V shape and place over your worn down bridge pieces?

 

[Fuelish]

If you're action is acceptable/guitar plays well, and your saddles are really worn in that deep, then your bridge may "seem" high, but only because the saddles are deep...new saddles, and the bridge would be lower....I don't seee it as a problem as long as the worn saddles aren't causing a problem. Your bridge is at the "right" height to account for the saddle depth...if it plays to your satisfaction, I wouldn't worry 'bout the bridge...

 

[Friburg]

Maybe you could get some brass or steel sheet metal and cut out small rectangular bits that you could bend to a sharp V shape and place over your worn down bridge pieces?

If you're action is acceptable/guitar plays well, and your saddles are really worn in that deep, then your bridge may "seem" high, but only because the saddles are deep...new saddles, and the bridge would be lower....I don't seee it as a problem as long as the worn saddles aren't causing a problem. Your bridge is at the "right" height to account for the saddle depth...if it plays to your satisfaction, I wouldn't worry 'bout the bridge...

Yeah a friend said the same, but the problem is that my bridge screws are really far out and I don't want to the posts or wood to get damaged. I'd rather act now than pay later.

I was considering to take the bridge and tailpiece off my ART100BK and put them on my LP because the ART needs some work doing and my LP is my main axe.

 

[Brians Evil Twin]

Photos of the bridge and and string angles would really help.

Are you sure it's the saddles? Not a common problem....

 

[GRASS]

If it is WORN just replace it

 

[Friburg]

If it is WORN just replace it

I don't have much money to my name right now and if I'm going to replace one I might as well replace all six.

Photos of the bridge and and string angles would really help.

Are you sure it's the saddles? Not a common problem....

Sure here are some pics, it's mainly the G, B and E strings that are really worn in, but to my understanding the grooves are supposed to be shallow and the string is to rest on them, not to be buried into them. I hope I'm right with this lol.

Here's the pics.

 

[GRASS]

How about if you change the GBE saddles with the EAD would that work for you? If not the only way I can see is to re cut them all, sorry if that doesn't help.

 

[Bytor1958]

How about if you change the GBE saddles with the EAD would that work for you? If not the only way I can see is to re cut them all, sorry if that doesn't help.

That was my thought also. Do the switcharoo.

 

[GRASS]

That was my thought also. Do the switcharoo.

Sounds like a plan

 

[Friburg]

I would have to give it a try, possibly when my cat jumps off my lap lol never thought to try flipping them, should I file the GBE slots so that the string fits in properly or just leave as is? I'd rather not break any strings if possible as these are brand new haha.

 

[GRASS]

I would try them first after the switch and see how it goes before getting files out.

 

[Friburg]

I would try them first after the switch and see how it goes before getting files out.

Sounds fair, now that the cat has scarpered I'll get to it. I'll post my findings ;P

 

[Friburg]

So I did the switch-a-roo and it is amazing! I reset the intonation and got it just right, action is a little too low now haha I keep getting a little fret buzz here and there, nothing a quick pinch with the screw-driver wont fix! Here are some pics.

 

[DavidRamey]

I think now you have your bridge oriented the correct way. The bridge on my Epiphone LP has the intonation screws pointed toward the pickup. That is the way it came from the factory. I have some new Tusq saddles coming for my LP. Maybe we could work out a deal on my current saddles which are in great shape.

 

[straybeat]

Sure here are some pics, it's mainly the G, B and E strings that are really worn in, but to my understanding the grooves are supposed to be shallow and the string is to rest on them, not to be buried into them. I hope I'm right with this lol.

You can take the corner edge of a file and cut new grooves next to the old ones. I've had saddles with 4 grooves on top of them.

Go slow and steady!

 

[tzd]

Baking soda and superglue works for the nut. I have not tried it on bridge saddles. Use painters tape to cover everything around the slot before proceeding.

 

[alanssaab]

Hi , pm me your adress ect and i'll send you a good epi bridge mate , cheers
Alan

 

[cavediver]

Hi , pm me your adress ect and i'll send you a good epi bridge mate , cheers
Alan

Very classy of you to make that offer!

 

[Friburg]

Hi , pm me your adress ect and i'll send you a good epi bridge mate , cheers
Alan

Done, mate. That's extremely generous of you and I can't even stress how grateful I am. You sure you don't want anything in return? I don't have much in the way of spare parts lol.

Fri