Bridge of JP6 Question!!!

[peedo_deedo]

wassup guys. i detuned one of my JP's to Eb. As we all know, as the tension decreases, the bridge "sinks"deeper into the guitar. my question is... is this setting safe for my guitar? should i be worried about damaging my guitar? any comments is appreciated. im attaching a couple of pics of the guitar detuned to Eb and my other JP tuned to standard

JP detuned to EB

JP tuned to standard

Thank you so much for your time

 

[Philip]

I don't think you could possibly damage your JP with that setting but for comfort I would adjust the springs to level the trem

 

[Norrin Radd]

Well, I don't think it's causing any damage, BUT, if I were going to leave it in that tuning for any lengthy amount of time, I would adjust the bridge so it level. By moving the saddles even the small amount that you have from their original position, it will affect your intonation, even if only slightly. And, you have also changed the string height by doing so, and you may want to adjust for that too.

 

[SteveB]

I agree that you ought to level the trem. You need to adjust the trem claw inside the trem cavity.. you'll just need a phillips head screwdriver.

Tune to pitch, adjust the claw a little, re-tune, then see if it's level.
Repeat until it is.

 

[peedo_deedo]

I agree that you ought to level the trem. You need to adjust the trem claw inside the trem cavity.. you'll just need a phillips head screwdriver.

Tune to pitch, adjust the claw a little, re-tune, then see if it's level.
Repeat until it is.

thanks for the help. when you say "adjust the trem claw inside the trem cavity", you mean the one behind the guitar inside the cover right? (where the springs are located). should i tighten the screw or should i loosen them?

again, thanks a lot

 

[Marcus2]

Loosen them.

Good luck. Be prepared to be patient...it'll take a little time to get it just right, but will be worth it.

 

[nocluejimbo]

You loosen the springs as they are counteracting less tension from the strings than they were at standard tuning.

You'll also find that the strings will be too loose in this new, lower tuning, and you might want to bring them up a gauge. When/if you change string size, you go through the same process, tighten if the bridge is high, or loosen if the bridge is low.

 

[SteveB]

Peedo,

Yeah, like everyone said you'll want to loosen the springs because the lower tuning is causing less tension on the other side of the bridge. By relieving some tension at the trem claw (where the other end of the springs connect) you are tweaking the "balancing act that is a floating bridge" back toward equilibrium.

Let us know how it works out. It shouldn't take more than 10 or 15 minutes if you take your time and carefully re-tune after each tweak of the claw tension. You want that sucker dead level when you're perfectly tuned to e flat.

 

[jeffrey]

As others have stated, you need to let the springs out a bit.

A good rule of thumb is to do it a quarter to half turn at a time (no more than that IMO).

 

[peedo_deedo]

hello guys... thanks a lot for all your comments and suggestions. i will certainly loosen the screw to level the bridge. im currently at work right now but i will do it when i get home. i will post some updates as soon as i finish or if i have questions. wish me luck guys, im a little nervous about this... i blame our vocalist for this!!! he sounds flat all the time!!!

again, thanks a lot guys!!! i appreciate it a lot!!!

 

[SteveB]

You can do it, Peedo.. and it'll be a confidence booster for you, too. I was nervous to make that adjustment when I switched my JP6 down to 009's. I followed the same advice and it was no problem. Now I'm not afraid to make that adjustment if need be.

I hope the 1/2 step solves your singer's problem. But 1/2 step ain't much.

 

[peedo_deedo]

hello guys. so here is the update i promise.

first i decided to change the strings 1 gauge thicker (11's, ernieball power slinky's). i tuned the guitar to Eb after restringing and guess what? the bridge is just a little bit higher, so i tighten both the screws , approximately a quarter of a turn (like going from 12 o' clock to 2 o' clock). i re-tuned and boom!!!! the bridge looks perfectyl level as if nothing happened. lastly, i adjust the intonation just a tiny bit. i played the guitar on my practice amp and it sounds great.

i want to thank all of you guys for all the help. i have to admit that im so nervous to begin with, not to mention that im a little scared... oh well!!! scared a lot, but i manage to do the job. im attaching a pic of the bridge. i also decided to do all these changes on my sapphire black JP coz my Redburst is newer and i dont wanna mess with it .

thanks a lot

 

[Norrin Radd]

Awesome! Congrats - you're on the road to becoming tech free (and saving yourself lots of dough in the long run!)

Another reason this forum rules. Ain't it nice we all got these easy as pie guitars to work on? EBMM - thanks again for such elegant designs.

 

[SteveB]

Great job, Peedo! We knew you could do it!

 

[peedo_deedo]

it feels great to be able to do it. this forum rocks!!! and most of all, it made me realize how "user friendly" Music Man guitars are. i can't see myself owning any other guitar than MusicMan.

thanks a lot for all your help.