That thin wire on the bridge

LesPaulopolis · 10-15-2009, 02:10 PM

You know that thin wire on the vintage bridges that are 'held in' by the intonation screws? Well, mine got all rusty from sweat etc. and then broke in half, so I ripped the remainder of it out...I think my sustain and tone improved! Anyone have experience removing, replacing or knowing what this wire is supposed to do? I always assumed it 'locked' you intonation somehow. Was I supposed to take it off after purchase?!? Never really noticed it until it broke and sitar-ized my B string.

Thanks for the replies.

***Adwex*** · 10-15-2009, 02:19 PM

It prevents the saddles from falling out when the string isn't there. Be careful if you break a string, the saddle might fall out.

Grandturk · 10-15-2009, 02:20 PM

Nope, it just holds the saddles in when there's no downward string pressure. If you've got no spring there (its called a spring) and you take a string off and turn the guitar upside down, the saddle and scre will fall out. That's on the ABR-1s. The TOM "improved" the design with a captured screw so you don't need the wire on those.

LesPaulopolis · 10-15-2009, 02:49 PM

Thanks, guys! I'll watch out for that (since I break strings every other practice). Thinking about just getting a totally new bridge as mine is getting very tarnished and rusty. Can a replacement spring be purchased for cheap? Any suggestions on a replacement for the vintage (skinny posts) bridge?

Fcal124 · 10-20-2009, 10:39 PM

Tone Pros makes a nice replacement bridge. It looks exactly the same except the spring is just for decoration and even if it breaks, the saddles stay in.

jcmjmp · 10-20-2009, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LesPaulopolis

Thanks, guys! I'll watch out for that (since I break strings every other practice). Thinking about just getting a totally new bridge as mine is getting very tarnished and rusty. Can a replacement spring be purchased for cheap? Any suggestions on a replacement for the vintage (skinny posts) bridge?

You can make a new retainer with just a 009 gauge string and some pliers.

LesPaulopolis · 10-21-2009, 01:42 PM

+1!

That's a great suggestion. I will do so.

shawkey · 10-21-2009, 02:55 PM

small dab of super glue works every time(just drip it in the small hole agianst the point end of the intonation screw)

LesPaulopolis · 10-22-2009, 03:04 PM

Another great idea! That wire really was messing with my sustain. SD-1 helps with that too I supposed...

Benito · 10-25-2009, 04:16 PM

Gotoh make a nice replacement bridge for a LP, not as pricy as the Tonepros, not taking anything from TP as they make good stuff, but Gotoh for me was a good match for my LP.

10-15-2009, 02:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
LesPaulopolis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 250	That thin wire on the bridge You know that thin wire on the vintage bridges that are 'held in' by the intonation screws? Well, mine got all rusty from sweat etc. and then broke in half, so I ripped the remainder of it out...I think my sustain and tone improved! Anyone have experience removing, replacing or knowing what this wire is supposed to do? I always assumed it 'locked' you intonation somehow. Was I supposed to take it off after purchase?!? Never really noticed it until it broke and sitar-ized my B string. Thanks for the replies. __________________ '68 RI LP Custom JCM900 + EQ & Boost

10-15-2009, 02:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
*Adwex* Super Moderator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,635	Re: That thin wire on the bridge It prevents the saddles from falling out when the string isn't there. Be careful if you break a string, the saddle might fall out. __________________ http://www.youtube.com/MarshallLesPaul

10-15-2009, 02:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
Grandturk Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NYC Posts: 110	Re: That thin wire on the bridge Nope, it just holds the saddles in when there's no downward string pressure. If you've got no spring there (its called a spring) and you take a string off and turn the guitar upside down, the saddle and scre will fall out. That's on the ABR-1s. The TOM "improved" the design with a captured screw so you don't need the wire on those.

10-15-2009, 02:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
LesPaulopolis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 250	Re: That thin wire on the bridge Thanks, guys! I'll watch out for that (since I break strings every other practice). Thinking about just getting a totally new bridge as mine is getting very tarnished and rusty. Can a replacement spring be purchased for cheap? Any suggestions on a replacement for the vintage (skinny posts) bridge? __________________ '68 RI LP Custom JCM900 + EQ & Boost

10-20-2009, 10:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
Fcal124 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: S.I., N.Y. Posts: 13	Re: That thin wire on the bridge Tone Pros makes a nice replacement bridge. It looks exactly the same except the spring is just for decoration and even if it breaks, the saddles stay in.

10-21-2009, 01:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
LesPaulopolis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 250	Re: That thin wire on the bridge +1! That's a great suggestion. I will do so. __________________ '68 RI LP Custom JCM900 + EQ & Boost

10-21-2009, 02:55 PM	#8 (permalink)
shawkey Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: philly pa Posts: 36	Re: That thin wire on the bridge small dab of super glue works every time(just drip it in the small hole agianst the point end of the intonation screw)

10-22-2009, 03:04 PM	#9 (permalink)
LesPaulopolis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 250	Re: That thin wire on the bridge Another great idea! That wire really was messing with my sustain. SD-1 helps with that too I supposed... __________________ '68 RI LP Custom JCM900 + EQ & Boost

10-25-2009, 04:16 PM	#10 (permalink)
Benito Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 21	Re: That thin wire on the bridge Gotoh make a nice replacement bridge for a LP, not as pricy as the Tonepros, not taking anything from TP as they make good stuff, but Gotoh for me was a good match for my LP. __________________ I love it when a plan comes together.......... 1981 JCM 800 4010 Vox Valvetronix LE Gibson LP Studio..tweeked Gibson Nighthawk Special

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