TBird
Wholenote
Posts: 298
Formerly Known As: greg1948
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Post by TBird on Apr 21, 2020 10:32:19 GMT -5
Now that my Partscaster (Tele) is done and I'm jamming out with it, I'm noticing that the saddle height screws are really annoying. They dig into the edge of my hand as I'm picking. It is not a Fender-made bridge. The screws are Allen-type and they have rough edges. Tried a little filing down but that didn't really do anything. So now I'm looking an ashtray bridge cover, but that would interfere with palm muting, I think. How do other players deal with this?
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Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Apr 21, 2020 11:35:27 GMT -5
You are 100% correct: the ashtray will only prevent you from palm muting with the right hand. That's why players remove them. And removing them is the reason why they came to be known as an 'ashtray'...because they were used as one atop the amp.
Here's how to fix the problem.
Measure the distance that each little screw sticks out from the top of the saddle, and write down all those dimensions. For example:
Low E screw 7/64" A screw 5/64" D screw 5/64" etc.
Loosen the strings slack, and remove each screw in order. You can leave the saddles in place on their intonation screws. Place a 6" strip of duct tape tacky side up; you can stick the little screws to it in order and they'll stay where you put them. You can also press a little strip of paper into the tape so you can write E, A, D, etc., and the dimension for each screw.
The next step is to grind off the bottoms of the screws--the end in contact with the bridge plate. There are several ways to do this, but whichever method you choose, take measures to protect the screws' threads if you grip them with pliers or hold them in a vise to hand file them. Some techs slice off the end with a Dremel and a cutoff wheel.
How I like to do this step is to chuck the screw end-out in a small hand drill, and run the drill while holding the screw end lightly against the wheel of a grinder. This allows me to form a smooth hemispherical shape on the end of the screw. With the screw still in the drill, run the drill motor and scrub the ground end with 600-grit paper to polish it nice and smooth. Put it back on the tape and do the next one.
Measure your progress often because it's easy to go too far. Remove the marked dimension, PLUS 1/32". This puts the top of the screw down into the saddle just a little bit when reinstalled.
Return all screws to their respective positions so the tops are even with the saddles' tops, tune up, check action at the 12th fret, and tweak the strings' heights.
The final dimension for each screw is not necessarily critical, but if you remove more than 3/32" beyond your target dimension, you're cutting [heh!] it close to making the screw too short.
Remember the ol' carpenter's dilemma: "I cut this board three times and it's still too short!"
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Post by LesterPTelestrat on Apr 29, 2020 22:30:10 GMT -5
I have an ash-try for my Tele FSR, but NEVER play with it on. It just looks cool when I open the case..... :-) or for Photos.
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Peppy
Wholenote
Guitar gear guru at Milano Music Center
Posts: 180
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Post by Peppy on Apr 29, 2020 23:43:32 GMT -5
Fender makes an ashtray about 1/6 the size of the original. They sell with Professional Telecasters. I use one on my brand-new ash Tele and it is perfect. Ash and ash...tray!
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