string alignment on pre-EB

[stamos]

I own a pre EBMM (1982) stingray and have noticed that there is a significant misallignment of the G (and D) string with the pickup poles (see photo).

I also noted that while playing, D and G strings do not have the same power compared to E and A.

Do you think this misallignment is a bass defect and this relates to the reduced power of the D,G strings?

Is there any way I can fix this somehow?

 

[Caca de Kick]

First things first; Are you sure your intonation is set right? Because your E saddle is way below the bridge post and getting pulled out of alignment, which looks like it's causing all the saddles to get pulled out if alignment too.
2nd; how is your pickup height set? It should be sitting slightly higher on the G side of the pickup, than the E side.

Your saddles should be sitting supported between the bridge posts like this.

 

[stamos]

1. I have to check for the intonation. (probably there are issues there too)
If E and A saddles are brought forward between bridge posts do you think all the strings will be moved to the G side also?

2. i 'll check also the pup height. Only the pup should be sitting slightly higher on the G than the E side or the poles also? I think the G poles height is less than the E poles.

I will post some more pics tomorrow from different angles for more details.

 

[cellkirk74]

If this does not work, maybe someone exchanged the bridge swaddles on your bass? They look a little wide to me.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Try what Caca de Kick said.

Are the string saddles original? They should be tubular (hollow).

The neck may also have moved its alignment in the neck pocket on the body but check the above first!

 

[stamos]

How do I know if the saddles are original?

 

[Golem]

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The saddles are definitely off to the E-side, at least
in part due to the misplaced E-saddle. Maybe even
toadally due to that.

If the saddles are hollow you can see the holes on
the side [hollow like very heavy walled tubes].


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[bovinehost]

The more I look at that, the more I think those saddles are not original. In fact, if those are the original saddles, I will eat them with or without a nice chianti. There is no way in hell those are going to fit between the two big side bolts on each side of the bridge. That's why the E string saddle is wedged way off to the south/north depending on where you are in relation to the international date line. I assume you were not the master luthier who did the surgery, otherwise you would know this. And this is a good thing. I don't want to think about the logic behind that tomfoolery, apologies to the entire Foolery family in advance.

Upshot: that will not work. It's not working now, it never worked and it is in on danger of working in the future (unless you have very tiny shaped C4 charges but then there are other issues). Or maybe if you're playing free-form jazz?

 

[pertyman]

I had the same problam as you, this is what I did:

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

The saddles should be 3/4 inches wide.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

I had the same problam as you, this is what I did:

With all due respect that isn't going to solve the prob at issue. Also, on your Bass, you now have the possibility of the D&G slipping of the saddles as you play.

 

[stamos]

The original owner insists he has never changed the saddles.

Anyway, I tried to align them and all 4 of them do not fit between the two large mounting bolts (PIC1). If pressed to tight them the D string holding bolt cannot be seated properly (PIC2).

If I loose the E saddle it is obvious that there is not enough space for all 4 of them (PIC 3)

Judging from the side, however, saddles are hollow, and seem to be original. (PIC4,5)

 

[five7]

They are too wide, that is obvious. Either some new ones or file them down so they will fit properly.

 

[MK Bass Weed]

Reminds me of 10 pounds of something in a 5 pound bag.

Why are you not taking this to a tech..who can get you the correct saddles?

 

[Golem]

`

Original saddles, but newer bridge ?

Weird thot, but whoonoze ...


`

 

[stamos]

I don't think bridge was changed since serial number is on. If sth is changed then that's the saddles

 

[Caca de Kick]

Okay, so they seem like they might be the original hollow ones, but were machined wrong. The simplest solution is maching them a hair narrower. Take this to a tech if you don't know how this is done.

 

[stamos]

I don't know any bass technician in Greece
Do u think I can order original saddles from ERNIE BALL site and put them on?
That would be easier for me and safer

What do u think?

 

[Caca de Kick]

You cannot order those saddles. They havent used those since the early 90's

 

[Golem]

I don't think bridge was changed since serial number
is on. If sth is changed then that's the saddles

Uhhmmnn... just a thot .....

Does that s/n make sense for a pre-EB Ray ?

I mean, I have a [supposedly] 91 Ray, which would
have the s/n on the neck plate, but its plate has no
s/n .... like maybe the plate is from a SUB. Acoarst
one is left to wonder what ax is now wearing "my"
s/n plate, and who bought it and what were they
told they were buying ?

Does a s/n-stamped bridge ALWAYS signify a pre-EB
Ray ? And were ALL vintages of pre-EB bridges alike ?

Finally, I wonder if the saddles from an SR-5 might
fit nicely onto your bridge if that bridge is somehow
narrower than it's spoze 2B ?


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