NEVERTILT 3 point upgrade

[dadagoboi]

Here's the 3 point on my '77 TBird, adjusted to the maximum.  Action is still too high and the E string silk/ endwind extends over the saddle, which I don't like.  Filing the saddles would lower the action but it would also reduce string break angle.



I use this bridge a lot, fairly easy to adjust as opposed to the 3 point.


First I did a mockup using an obsolete JAEbird tailpiece.  The spacing on the stud collars is a very tight fit on the bdidge


Here's the mockup and the marked new bridge


I roughed out the holes for the studs with hacksaw notches and then finished off with a file


Installed, very solid.  But what do I know, I actually think the original EB-1 bridge was a good start.


Full intonation and height adjustment with no modification to the bass.  E string wrap clears the saddle.  The bass plays better and sounds better to me...I'm sure it has more sustain and highs and lows and mids while being perfectly flat.  Did I miss anything?

[Basvarken]

Nice experiment Carlo!

Why do you think this will not tilt eventually?

[dadagoboi]

Nice experiment Carlo!

Why do you think this will not tilt eventually?

Thanks!  It's a fervent hope, not a guarantee     I don't think it will tilt because of the thickness of the metal and how tightly it's gripped on top and bottom by the stud.  Unlike the Evertilt which floats on a small diameter pin.

Besides this one can be replaced for $20 and 20 minutes work if it does tilt down the line.  Not a high price for me to pay for Fender string spacing, easy intonation, height adjustment and getting the E string wrap off the saddle.  I like that it doesn't sit on the body like a Hipshot but only uses the original studs to transfer string vibration to the body.  It's a little clunky looking but works for my inner bassplayer.  I have no plans to take it any farther, just figured I'd stop bitching about 3 points and do something about the only one I own...the third hole cover is a piece of manila folder.

[Basvarken]

I like that it doesn't sit on the body like a Hipshot but only uses the original studs to transfer string vibration to the body. 

That is a big plus IMHO!

[drbassman]

Nice modification!  That bridge sure has a lot of possibilities.

[sniper]

Fender string spacing

OMG!!!! To the cleansing fire with him!!!!! (thanks for the line Dave)

Actually looking great Carlo. If it ever does tilt = simply use locking studs and clamp it down.

[dadagoboi]

OMG!!!! To the cleansing fire with him!!!!! (thanks for the line Dave)

Actually looking great Carlo. If it ever does tilt = simply use locking studs and clamp it down.

Gibson spacing serves no purpose in my world, TBird necks are wide enough for big boy spacing.

I did give some thought to TonePros locking studs but they cost more than the bridge, the bottom collar is rectangular (so you can adjust height) and they're fragile.  I broke one working on Scott's Badbird equipped JAEbird.  Import studs are fragile too.  One instance where Gibson did something right, at least in '77.

[dadagoboi]

Nice modification!  That bridge sure has a lot of possibilities.

Thanks,Doc.  I've used almost 50 of them in the last few years

[eb2]

I like it.

[clankenstein]

do you think this could work for a 64 eb2 with the offset studs ?

[dadagoboi]

Unfortunately, no. Pre '66 studs have less space between the collar and head of the stud.  Also the studs are closer together than on TBirds because of the narrower string spacing.

[clankenstein]

dang

[Highlander]

Just a thought without the relevant info...

As long as the neck width could accomadate the spacing then with careful engineering it could be adapted... with a bit of judicious milling above or below to enable the top or bottom of the post to "slot" in...?

[dadagoboi]

Just a thought without the relevant info...

As long as the neck width could acommodate the spacing then with careful engineering it could be adapted... with a bit of judicious milling above or below to enable the top or bottom of the post to "slot" in...?

The EB neck is narrow, string spread at the bridge (O.D) is 2".  On the donor bridge it's 2.3+, quite a difference.

The bridge will fit within the EB studs without entering the saddle slots so it could be machined to work with  EB studs.  Strings would be pretty far off from bridge pup pole screws on an EB 2D or EB3.

 

[clankenstein]

its a shame about the string spacing issue for the eb2,that looks like a nice bridge.oh well ,the search continues.