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| Bridge bolts theory. http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=23102 |
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| Author: | truckjohn [ Thu Jul 16, 2009 10:41 am ] |
| Post subject: | Bridge bolts theory. |
Hey all, Cheap and mid-priced "Factory" steel string guitars all pretty much have bridge bolts on them. Now... the repair guys will attest that they really won't hold the bridge on... that the bridge bolts just end up tearing 2 big holes in the soundboard when the bridge comes all the way loose.... The $2,000+ models don't have bridge bolts on them..... So... what are they really there for? My current theory.... to act as a "Tone Sink" on a "Cheap" guitar.... the ones I have measured add ~5g or so to the bridge weight... and significantly change the Tone of the guitar.... And if you take them out... you Void your Warranty! Why would they do it? Because a $300.00 guitar shouldn't sound as good as a $3,000 guitar.... Right? I have pulled them out of a couple guitars and have been amazed at how they sound without those darned things. Thanks John |
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| Author: | tommygoat [ Thu Jul 16, 2009 11:09 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Bridge bolts theory. |
My guess is that one reason is for efficiency on the assembly line. Alignment and clamp in one operation. |
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| Author: | Bob Garrish [ Thu Jul 16, 2009 12:08 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Bridge bolts theory. |
Which brands are these? None of the good, inexpensive instruments the stores here carry have bolts (Godin, Blueridge), and they can be under $300 and under $500 respectively. Are they makes we don't see as much here? |
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| Author: | Tom West [ Thu Jul 16, 2009 12:40 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Bridge bolts theory. |
For insurance against poor materials and poor workmanship. |
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| Author: | truckjohn [ Thu Jul 16, 2009 12:51 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Bridge bolts theory. |
For clamping -- I have had better luck with plain 'ole #10 flat head machine screws + bolts thru the bridge string holes... Just use 2.. on #1 and #6. Great alignment, no extra holes. All of the cheap - Mid priced guitars have them that I have seen.... They are frequently hidden by wooden plugs in the bridge. I have seen them on: Takamine Fender Epiphone Gibson Yamaha Alvarez Ibanez Walden Seagull Ovation Washburn family an old Blue Ridge BR-OS had them the entire Samick made family, and all the cheap-o Miscellaneous Chinese brands like Indiana, Esteban, Burswood, etc..... Thanks John |
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| Author: | CptanPanic [ Thu Jul 16, 2009 2:11 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Bridge bolts theory. |
For the guitars you "pulled" the bolts out of, how did you reattach the bridge? Have any pics? |
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| Author: | bluescreek [ Thu Jul 16, 2009 2:22 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Bridge bolts theory. |
Most of these bridges are glued in . I just pulled an LG1 screw and replaced the plastic dots with pearl . Nothing more needed |
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| Author: | Alan Carruth [ Thu Jul 16, 2009 2:26 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Bridge bolts theory. |
Yeah, the bolts make a hell of a stress concentration. How about those old Gibbys with the plastic reverse-belly bridge held on by three self-tapping screws with big washers? Class or what? |
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| Author: | Ed Haney [ Thu Jul 16, 2009 2:54 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Bridge bolts theory. |
The idea of bolts on the bridge seems strange to me too. It is not something that I would do. But on the other side - I have owned many guitars and only the Gibsons of the ones I've owned had bolts in the bridges. All the old Gibson vintage guitars have them and if you pull the bolts out the value of the guitar drops a bunch. And many of these old 30's, 40's and 50's Gibsons sound fantastic. Why? I can't explain it. Ed |
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| Author: | woody b [ Thu Jul 16, 2009 4:25 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Bridge bolts theory. |
Alan Carruth wrote: Yeah, the bolts make a hell of a stress concentration. How about those old Gibbys with the plastic reverse-belly bridge held on by three self-tapping screws with big washers? Class or what? Along with a spruce bridge plate 
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| Author: | Dave Fifield [ Thu Jul 16, 2009 8:26 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Bridge bolts theory. |
Our buddy Charles Fox uses a bolt-on bridge (four small T-nuts with allen head screws and washers from what I could tell), and his guitars sound great! Therefore, I'm not convinced that it's a problem.... Cheers, Dave F. |
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| Author: | bluescreek [ Thu Jul 16, 2009 8:52 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Bridge bolts theory. |
Alan Do you remember the plastic bridge with the big ceramic saddle? Ewww that was a beauty. |
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| Author: | Hank Mauel [ Thu Jul 16, 2009 8:56 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Bridge bolts theory. |
You might add Gallagher guitars to the list...and they sound great. Their "bolts" are covered by MOP dots just below each end of the saddle. |
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| Author: | Tom West [ Fri Jul 17, 2009 8:45 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Bridge bolts theory. |
So that's the SECRET....where can we get some of these bolts....? |
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| Author: | truckjohn [ Fri Jul 17, 2009 12:15 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Bridge bolts theory. |
Ace Hardware.... Lowes... Home Depot.... |
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