CM_X5
Well-Known Member
Maybe try a needle file and file down where the string sits on the saddle, also push that string down just in front of the saddle to make sure it's not "bowed" as it goes across. Would help a little with intonation too.
Ridiculous 8 string bridge problem (Jackson HT8)
- Thread starter AwakenTheSkies
- Start date
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AwakenTheSkies
Life is like a box of chocolates
What? Why? I haven't checked the measurements but idk if it's an exact fit. It's not even guaranteed to fix the problem
then I have to order it from the USA. It's so inconvenient..Someone sent me a contact of a person who works with metal, they might be able to help me thin the bridge by 1mm equally on both sides.
What? Why? I haven't checked the measurements but idk if it's an exact fit. It's not even guaranteed to fix the problem
Someone sent me a contact of a person who works with metal, they might be able to help me thin the bridge by 1mm equally on both sides.
You can buy one in Spain fyi - 8 string is selectable if you click the fixed bridge thingy.
Bridges - Egilegorbasses shop
egilegorbasses.com AwakenTheSkies
Life is like a box of chocolates
Aw cool, thanks for letting me know! But it's still like 100€. I'll try taking this thing to the metal man and if that doesn't work then I'll have no choice but to buy another bridge. Hoping to fix it though.You can buy one in Spain fyi - 8 string is selectable if you click the fixed bridge thingy.
Bridges - Egilegorbasses shop
velvetkevorkian
The beat starts here
This was my thought, I did this on my first bass when I couldn't get the action as low as I wanted. Hacky, but probably easier to achieve with hand tools than grinding the base plate down
Ohhh I've done this with a diamond coated nut slot file before and it worked!
AwakenTheSkies
Life is like a box of chocolates
I have those too. But I'm afraid doing this will ruin the files so I'd rather not
I respect the thriftyness
AwakenTheSkies
Life is like a box of chocolates
I'd be willing to do it if it was a normal file, but from what I've read you have to be careful with diamond coated stuff. I saw a guy on Reddit who said he ruined his Music Nomad S file (120€ file in EU) by crowning one single neck with stainless steel frets, so I'd rather be careful.
But in general the part where the string goes in the saddle is a specific shape so I'd rather not file that at all, sounds like I could create a problem. We'll see how the metal person does...
Sorry, I was just doing some blatant consumerism and encouraging you to buy something.What? Why? I haven't checked the measurements but idk if it's an exact fit. It's not even guaranteed to fix the problem
Someone sent me a contact of a person who works with metal, they might be able to help me thin the bridge by 1mm equally on both sides.
Realistically the dimensions of your current bridge look similar to hipshot, should be able to find dimensions online and compare. I ageee it might not even fix the problem, definitely do some more diagnosis first. It may fix the problem if the hipshot saddles are able to get lower because they are machined better or smth
Rubbishplayer
Well-Known Member
Seems like the best solution would be a bridge that will be a drop-in replacement for the original. That means milling your existing bridge plate.
This would be a five minute job for a milling machinist. I've had great results working with local machine shops: try those which do automotive/motorbike custom work. And you're supporting small local business.
Your next best option is wet'n'dry carborundum paper on a dead flat surface (granite worksurface of offcut). Start with 180 grit and keep measuring as you go.
Good luck!
This would be a five minute job for a milling machinist. I've had great results working with local machine shops: try those which do automotive/motorbike custom work. And you're supporting small local business.
Your next best option is wet'n'dry carborundum paper on a dead flat surface (granite worksurface of offcut). Start with 180 grit and keep measuring as you go.
Good luck!
Email egilegorbasses about a Hipshot bridge. He's a Hipshot dealer in Spain and may be able to get one for you and you'd save the import taxes.
Not sure about the 8-string, but the 7-string model has two different baseplate heights that could also be useful in your case.
Not sure about the 8-string, but the 7-string model has two different baseplate heights that could also be useful in your case.
JimF
Contributor
+1 to this.
Find anyone with a small manual milling machine and provide them with a measurement of how much you want taking off the reare of the baseplate and they'll knock it out in about 5 mins.
ErockRPh
SS.org Regular
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I'm assuming you looked at this already, but just in case - are you sure it's a bridge issue and not a nut issue? How high is the string above the first fret? Fret the third fret - there should be barely any light showing between the string and the first fret.
AwakenTheSkies
Life is like a box of chocolates
The nut is mostly fine. Actually I got nut files and feeler gauges for nut stuff so I checked all my guitars. The nut isn't the problem here.
Lachlan-Blacklight
Member
I’m surprised everyone is suggesting hundreds of dollars of replacement parts and expensive modifications instead of taking it to a local luthier. I’ve built heaps of custom guitars over the years and as much experience as I’ve gathered, a bit of show-and-tell with my local luthier costs nothing and often brings a lot of light to my situation and yields numerous new options previously not considered. Sometimes it’s something simple I’d overlooked or even just the hard truth I wasn’t previously willing to accept.
As skilled as my hands are, putting my guitar in his hands for 5 minutes typically goes a long way.
As skilled as my hands are, putting my guitar in his hands for 5 minutes typically goes a long way.
AwakenTheSkies
Life is like a box of chocolates
There is no local luthier
Lachlan-Blacklight
Member
Yikes, there’s so many things to check in-person in order to make any adequate suggestions.
AwakenTheSkies
Life is like a box of chocolates
It is what it is. Needs to be fixed all the same.
What are the things you'd check though? There is no mystery to this, the bridge is just too high
You either buy a thinner bridge, sand the current bridge, cut the wood deeper or file the individual saddles.I leveled the frets on this guitar and also checked the nut (which is on the other end of the fretboard, so it would have to be extremely high to cause a problem like this), so I know those aren't the problem. What could a luthier see that I can't see here?
