Trouble with Starfire V bridge - please help

slidincharlie

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I have bought a "nickel/aluminum" compensated bridge for my '66 Starfire V: http://elderly.com/accessories/items/0271-NKL.htm.

First thing: it looks like a bad quality unit: the saddle bit does not fit smoothly and freely on the the threaded posts, and it does not sit flawlessly on the two wheels. I think I should send it back to Elderly, but it took a long time to get here (Italy) and I don't want to waste further time and shipping money. :(

Second thing: it is unslotted. At a first trial I can see that the strings move away during bending. Do I have to slot the saddles? Why is it sold unslotted?

TIA
--Carlo
 

teleharmonium

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The top piece is designed so that it can rock back and forth as you use the arm, which is why the holes are shaped more like 0 than o. Is that what you mean, or are they actually too small or rough for the top to fit well on the bottom ?

Those bridges always come un notched, at least as far as I have seen. Rickenbacker bridges are like that too, when you buy them as spares or just the saddles, theoretically it's so you can place them where you want and make them perfectly fit your strings. But I agree with you it's kind of a pain if you have no special needs and don't need another "project".
 

Darryl Hattenhauer

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Slidincarlo,

That's probably as good as you're going to get. The saddle, posts, and wheels on all of them are loose. And Elderly is as reliable as they come. If you buy another of what you have, it will almost certainly be exactly the same.

You might want to keep that one and try another type. Do you have a copy of the Moust book (for photos of alternatives)? Also, check the bridges he has for sale.
http://www.guitarchives.nl/guitarsgalor ... ?cid=4&p=1
 

slidincharlie

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Yes, I have the book.
My bridge looks exactly like Hans' specimen. I think I'll contact him for advice.

Back to slots:
I don't understand if I am supposed to file the slots or not. At a very preliminary trial it seems that the strings roll laterally a little bit when I bend them. :?

--Carlo
 

slidincharlie

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Bridge details and close-up photos

I took a few close-up photos to better describe my bridge. Please will somebody tell me if my bridge is normal or - as I believe - it is defective?

[img:250:188]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-9/1080251/Bridge_1.JPG[/img]
Is the V shaped bottom normal? Is this that allows for the bridge to rock under the bigsby action?

[img:600:450]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-9/1080251/Bridge_2_arrows.jpg[/img]
Is the different shape of the bottom at each end normal? Maybe the indented end should allow for lower action on the high strings side, but... see the following photo:

[img:400:300]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-9/1080251/Bridge_3.JPG[/img]
The wheel at teh right end of the bridge does NOT make good contact with the saddle bit. I don't think this is an optimal setup, right? I guess the only thing to do is using a Dremel tool to file some metal off the saddle bit to allow full contact between the saddle base and the wheel top...

[img:400:300]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-9/1080251/Bridge_4.JPG[/img]
This is the other end. As you can see, the contact here is better, even though not perfect at all.

Any comment is greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

--Carlo
 
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