THREE POINT REPACEMENT?

dadagoboi · January 22, 2014, 05:26:43 PM

I've been thinking about this for a long time. THE major flaw with a Three Point is the almost total lack of break angle. I think it's very important and a big reason why 60s Birds sound different from their later siblings. Anyway here it is, my ripoff of Scott's Badbird for Thunderbirds not made in the '60s. This is a prototype I got from Steve today. A little rough but it make this Epi Bolt on SING. It's my Cataldo bridge "embiggened" to accommodate Three Point stud spacing.

Goes LOW, great break angle, individual string spacing and height, and it's shiny...

Price will be more than a Supertone but less than Hipshot's bridge/tailpiece combo. Slightly less ugly IMO.

uwe · January 22, 2014, 05:32:56 PM

That's not ugly at all, reminds me a bit of the Evertilt in look which wasn't so much an ugly bridge as it was a non-functional one (unless of course - Dave's Hypothetical Stringholder Theorem - it would have had a stringholder, but then it didn't). Not that I have issues with the Holy Immaculate Trinity Point, but there are obviously sinners, heathens and pagans out there who do!

dadagoboi · January 22, 2014, 05:44:42 PM

Quote from: uwe on January 22, 2014, 05:32:56 PM
That's not ugly at all, reminds me a bit of the Evertilt in look which wasn't so much an ugly bridge as it was a non-functional one (unless of course - Dave's Hypothetical Stringholder Theorem - it would have had a stringholder, but then it didn't). Not that I have issues with the Holy Immaculate Trinity Point, but there are obviously sinners, heathens and pagans out there who do!

Well, it's not as elegant as my original which doesn't need to be so large.

It also reminded me of an Evertilt when I got it today. Difference is this one sits directly on the top of the body (or will when it's finalized, right now there's a .125 inch spacer, 3mm, between it and the body) so it's a NEVERTILT.

String break angle is important, or at least to almost every bridge maker not named Gibson.

uwe · January 22, 2014, 06:07:48 PM

Even as a card-carrying three pointer I have to say: that looks alright.

dadagoboi · January 22, 2014, 06:09:23 PM

Thanks, Uwe!

Psycho Bass Guy · January 22, 2014, 08:19:36 PM

Quote from: uwe on January 22, 2014, 06:07:48 PM
Even as a card-carrying three pointer I have to say: that looks alright.

Same here.

godofthunder · January 22, 2014, 08:32:52 PM

That looks great! Not a rip off and I highly aprove. I have drawings for a solution to the three point long before Hipshot, the genius is ignoring the third point and taking it back to a set up with the tail piece. I agree that the two point with the tailpiece is a big factor in Thunderbirds sound/sustain. That is a great solution. Big thumbs up!

Highlander · January 23, 2014, 01:26:48 AM

When I traded out my chrome three-pointer from my RD to Scott for a black Epi three-pointer for the RD I was somewhat surprised to discover it was smaller spacing...? Easy for me to resolve after plugging and drilling, but...

Is this common...?

dadagoboi · January 23, 2014, 06:24:27 AM

Quote from: CAR-54 on January 23, 2014, 01:26:48 AM
When I traded out my chrome three-pointer from my RD to Scott for a black Epi three-pointer for the RD I was somewhat surprised to discover it was smaller spacing...? Easy for me to resolve after plugging and drilling, but...

Is this common...?

Yep, all the Epis have metric studs, I'm not sure about USA mades after '79. My Bicentennial uses SAE thread. It won't be a problem making two bases or a one size fits all.

Unlike the 3 point all the force is directed downward. I always set up the bridges on my basses without studs, they're more cosmetic than functional The break angle keeps the bridge in place and gives me a last chance to make absolutely sure of the correct stud location...Example:

uwe · January 23, 2014, 06:33:11 AM

That's a nice bass.

dadagoboi · January 23, 2014, 06:40:02 AM

Thanks, customer just decided he wants nickel instead of gold hardware to go with its sunburst.

Highlander · January 23, 2014, 07:00:57 AM

My RD's a '78 - it was the distance between the main posts that was wider, iirc - can't remember what the bass was Scott needed it for... Grabber...?

Quote from: dadagoboi on January 23, 2014, 06:24:27 AM
and gives me a last chance to make absolutely sure of the correct stud location...

I'll check it against the RD's body again to be sure...

godofthunder · January 23, 2014, 07:34:08 AM

I think the Butcher Bird needs one!

Highlander · January 23, 2014, 07:37:00 AM

... there goes the neighbourhood, and the by-line...

dadagoboi · January 23, 2014, 07:58:28 AM

Quote from: godofthunder on January 23, 2014, 07:34:08 AM
I think the Butcher Bird needs one!

You'll be a great beta tester Scott!