Possible to purchase MM parts new?

[ronnyG]

Hi again,

I posted that I needed these parts on "wanted" as well but was curious if these parts were available new from Music Man.

Years ago I replaced the bridge on my early 90's MM Stingray with a Wilkinson since the strings were pulling off the saddles (pre-flea I guess). Now I wish to restore it to original and when I dug up the original bridge I see it is missing some small parts.

2 of the knurled small bolts that go through the mute springs.

1 mute foam pad

1 small allen for saddle height adjustment

3 phillips for mounting the bottom of the bridge to the body (I have the 2 larger "outer" bolts).

Thanks for any info that can be provided regarding how and where to order these parts.

 

[the unrepentant]

They don't even make this bridge style anymore and they don't sell parts outright anyway. Maybe if you sent it in to them and it's a genuine musicman they'll fit a new bridge for you for a fee, but that's somerthing you want to ask customer services about. The only way you can actually buy this old bridge assembly is by waiting for one to come up on craigslist or ebay or whatever, and we all know they come up about as often as rocking horse poo.

 

[TNT]

Yes. Some parts.

 

[Caca de Kick]

The 3 bridge mounting screws are probably easy to get from EB, I think they're still the same size as the current screws.
For me, the the trick with the old bridge is just to put enough angle to the saddles so the strings don't get yanked out, been fine for me.

But the mute parts have been discontinued long ago...
I've been making some replacement pads for some folks, if you need just one, then measure your old pads (in milimeters) and let me know, I'll make one.

But the thumbscrews are very-very difficult to find. You just have to wait til someone posts them up for sale.
In the mean time, you can go to the hardware store and get some allen head screws that fit, just remember to keep an allen wrench with the bass.

 

[ronnyG]

They don't even make this bridge style anymore and they don't sell parts outright anyway. Maybe if you sent it in to them and it's a genuine musicman they'll fit a new bridge for you for a fee, but that's somerthing you want to ask customer services about. The only way you can actually buy this old bridge assembly is by waiting for one to come up on craigslist or ebay or whatever, and we all know they come up about as often as rocking horse poo.

It's an original Musicman undisputed since I am the original owner. I do not wish to have the entire assembly replaced since the bridge is where the serial number is. I just need some small parts that got lost since the bridge has been off the bass for like 18 years (the good news is it is MINT...the rest of the bass is quite "reliced"..it is my workhorse).

Anyhow I have contacted customer service to see what they can do. If they don't have those parts I can definatly dig up the saddle adjustment from my parts buckets...and 3 phillips screws as well. I can find a way to make a little piece of black foam rubber for the pad.

The most important parts I need are the 2 thumb screws I am missing for the mute springs. I would need a machinist to make those for me which will be expensive..I don't want to "rig" something in there since I am setting this bass back to original specs. I don't slap in my current band at all like I used to so the stock bridge will work. The Wilkinson bridge is beat to death and I had to drill it out since I busted every string mount (yeah I played it pretty hard).

Thanks everyone for your help and input and wish me luck. I will post back any updates.

 

[bovinehost]

As Mike posted above, the thumbscrews are going to be hard to get as they aren't made anymore (and haven't been for a long time).

Good luck!

 

[ronnyG]

Thanks for the info. Kind of a bummer if that's the case. I will be sure to bust some chops with customer service. It was (and still is) a very popular bass and definately was not cheap (like 1000 bucks 20 years ago)..so,they better have parts or find a way to get them.

Anyhoo..here a pic of the Wilkinson USA bridge I had installed sometime in 1991 0r 1992. They don't make this one anymore as far as I know. It was supposedly the most "heavy duty" bridge money could buy..and it was pretty expensive. Well..as you can see I busted every string mount clean off (they were like a "claw" so you could place the strings in from the top). I drilled holes on the back of the bridge and made it a custom "string through" style you could say. Works well and has been reliable since I drilled it..but face it....it's butt ugly.

On the topic of parts I just remembered another issue....the jack is really messed up. I had to solder a jumper wire across where on the board the contacts are made to turn the power from the battery on. Otherwise it cut out like crazy. It works fine now but the battery is always on now even when the jack is unplugged. The problem was not the typical bad solder joint (like was the case with my SUB) but something wore out I reckon. Can I assume they have a new jack available so I can resolder a new one on the board..or am I Sh*t out of luck there as well?

 

[Russel]

looks like these folks have informed you. Better than I could, anyway.

Best of luck. I for one would like to see it if you get it finished.


EDIT:
Looks like I did the thing where you post on an old page and don't see a newer post. oops!

take it easy on CS, man. They'll do their best. Having spoken with AJ from EB, and some nameless people from Peavey and Fender, EB is the best by far. Don't get me started on Dell. They wanted me to pay them to talk to a human.

 

[ronnyG]

Yeah I was just being a little sarcastic, I will of course be polite with CS and I am sure they will do their best to assist me. Afterall they make a great product so it's only expected they will stand behind it. That bass is amazing..it has fallen down flights of stairs and doesn't even go out of tune.

On the topic, I have had good experience with Fender CS, (own a Jazz and P-bass Special as well). They get back to me very quickly and help as best they can every time. I would expect the same from Music Man.

Dell is another story..well anything that technical is usually gonna cost just to speak to someone..however I just need a few screws and an input jack, can't be that difficult I would think.

 

[Russel]

Ah. I apologize then.

I'm not great at detecting sarcasm.

Let's not turn this into a dell hate thread.

Fender got back to me quickly too, but they weren't nearly as friendly or courteous as EB. Of course, I've only got one experience from each, so I don't count for much.

 

[the unrepentant]

Ernie ball CS is great, i think because they're such a small company and BP seems to care a lot about his customers and what they think, great guy

As for the jack socket, they haven't changed that in years, you can get a new one of them no problem.

 

[ronnyG]

Ernie ball CS is great, i think because they're such a small company and BP seems to care a lot about his customers and what they think, great guy

As for the jack socket, they haven't changed that in years, you can get a new one of them no problem.

Well that is good news about the jack. I guess if i can't get all the parts to restore the original bridge I will put it back in its hermetically sealed storage container and vault it away. I was considering selling that bass...but I just CAN"T. I was playing with all my basses for hours last night and there is just no comparison...the stingray is a butter bass..it is a part of me.

So I may need to buy another bridge to use for now. Any suggestions out there?

The old massive USA Wikinson I have on there now is trashed. The band I am in now does not require any heavy slap and popping but occasionally fast pick playing. 90% is finger playing. I just need a bridge that is relaible and sustains well..that doesn't have problems with the saddles moving around or changing heights etc. Typically tuned 1/2 step down drop c#, I use either 100-45 or 105-45 as far as string gauge.

 

[the unrepentant]

Badass II's are meant to be good and 3 of the 5 screw holes should align with the ones already on the bass i think, though i dont think anything compares to an EBMM bridge looks wise. Just keep looking for one, even if it's not one with a mute assembly.

 

[Aussie Mark]

That "massive" Wilkinson bridge looks positively puny compared to a stock Musicman bridge, so I can't understand the logic of replacing a Musicman bridge, as they're already the best bridge available on a production instrument.

 

[Caca de Kick]

I would put the original bridge back on. It will bolt right back in place, just leave the mute spring plate off for now until you find the thumbscrews.
There's plenty of Rays running around out there with the spring plate removed...you can always add it back on later.

 

[ronnyG]

That "massive" Wilkinson bridge looks positively puny compared to a stock Musicman bridge, so I can't understand the logic of replacing a Musicman bridge, as they're already the best bridge available on a production instrument.

The Wikinson bridge itself is physically smaller in size..., so perhaps "massive" was not the appropriate term to describe it overall, agreed. However, the Wilkinson bridge has much beefier (or massive if you will) saddles and seats, which is clearly noticable in the pic I posted.

But the "logic" of replacing the Music Man bridge in my case was due to the strings pulling off the saddles..I thought I had mentioned that. And replacing the original bridge did solve the issue...well I should know, I have been playing regularly on this bass for 16 years including much gigging and recording.

In fairness to MM....the "issue" was resolved and is the reason MM changed to the "Flea" bridge later on. I imagine Flea had the same thing happen as well but since I am not famous like Flea they wouldn't change the design for me so the "logical" solution was to replace it...

Well here's a stock 91 next to my Wilkinson.....

 

[oli@bass]

I can't understand the logic of replacing a Musicman bridge, as they're already the best bridge available on a production instrument.

As pointed out, there was room for improvement at that time...

ronnyG, you should be able to get all the necessary screws to fit back the original bridge and have it in working condition. As Mike pointed out, try to find the parts for the mute assembly later on.

And regarding selling: If you like the sound and feel of that bass, don't!

 

[ronnyG]

I know, I can't sell it but was very tempted as money is a bit scarce right now (my band and I live in an apt. and share expenses. We are recording an EP so not gigging , hence no income). The MM would bring in more money then either of my Fenders. However the MM is so superior to anything else I own that it is a keeper, hands down. I guess I can sell off a Fender and just eat a little less until money comes in.

I am considering using the original bridge with the mutes removed, I never even knew what those were for anyhow..I just would have liked to have the parts ..which I guess will come around eventually. I have a slight concern about the performance of that bridge (the strings pulling off) but since my playing is not as aggressive in this band as my first band it might work out, I will try and see.

If I still have issues with the original bridge I will store it away (it is mint..I only played with it on a few times 16 years ago and then replaced it) so it's no biggie..as long as I don't lose it like I did the few small parts. I can still live with that hideous Wilkinson..as ugly and modded as it is the thing works fine and I have never even had to touch it even for adjustments since I first installed back in the early 90's. (well other then having to drill it out after the claws busted off, lol)

 

[Caca de Kick]

Ronny,

For the very heavy handed player it's an easy fix.

Look at the original bridge in the picture...see how the strings go through the left side holes, and the intonation screws go through the right side holes?
Well just reverse them, intonation screws in the left holes, strings through the right side holes. That way the angle of the string over the saddles is going the opposite direction and you won't yank them out anymore.

[/QUOTE]

Like this guy did.

 

[ronnyG]

Looks like a good tip. I just wonder if it will mess with the string to p-up pole relationship.

Well it's worth a try..thanks.