HIGH action on a '77 Thunderbird

Bionic-Joe · June 30, 2013, 10:24:23 AM

Just picked up a Natural '77 bird...great bass...nice neck..nice tone...but even with the bridge sunk all the way down, the action is still a wee bit high. Is there any way to obtain replacements saddles without having to file the notches deeper??? Or any other solutionwithout putting on a new bridge??

godofthunder · June 30, 2013, 10:29:38 AM

I would buy some Allparts saddles and file away.

dadagoboi · June 30, 2013, 10:50:30 AM

Quote from: Basil T. "Baz" Cooper on June 30, 2013, 10:24:23 AM
Just picked up a Natural '77 bird...great bass...nice neck..nice tone...but even with the bridge sunk all the way down, the action is still a wee bit high. Is there any way to obtain replacements saddles without having to file the notches deeper??? Or any other solutionwithout putting on a new bridge??

Quote from: godofthunder on June 30, 2013, 10:29:38 AM
I would buy some Allparts saddles and file away.

I was gonna do that with my '77 before I came up with the 'Nevertilt'. Bought a saddle set from Allparts and never used them. I'll sell them for $10.

You're still going to have the problem of the E string winding extending over the saddle when you attempt to intonate.

godofthunder · June 30, 2013, 11:06:10 AM

Carlo...................... are you building Never Tilts? Stupid me I never even thought about one for my '77

dadagoboi · June 30, 2013, 11:16:04 AM

Quote from: godofthunder on June 30, 2013, 11:06:10 AM
Carlo...................... are you building Never Tilts? Stupid me I never even thought about one for my '77

If you want one let me know, Scott. It's been over a year since I built the first one, hasn't failed yet.

4stringer77 · June 30, 2013, 07:49:08 PM

Rotosound piano 99 strings might be worth a shot. They have a taper that will bring the strings further down and the ball ends are adjustable so in theory they could be positioned so the taper will be right against the saddle. I haven't tried these strings so I can't make any promises.

Bionic-Joe · June 30, 2013, 09:08:21 PM

i MAY just call you tomorrow.

ramone57 · July 01, 2013, 04:24:18 AM

the Allparts saddles are shorter than Gibson saddles, so you may not have to file them at all. not sure if the threads are the same as Gibson but they only cost $25 so it wouldn't set you back too much.

Bionic-Joe · July 01, 2013, 05:27:27 AM

Thanks! I think I'm going to call Carlo today and buy the set from him!

dadagoboi · July 01, 2013, 06:14:27 AM

Ramone 57 is correct, the AP saddles are shorter than the ones on my '77 3 point. They come with screws.

Bionic-Joe · July 01, 2013, 04:20:25 PM

Nevermind..I dumped the bass today...traded it for a custom shop '69 white Stratocaster and a 1990 Rickenbacker Solid Body 620 12 string... Thanks!!!