67 Starfire bridge/saddles question

[Hangman]

Hi all,

I have a '67 Starfire w/ a Badass I installed (not by me). I finally found a harp bridge from a 70s M-85 that I'll put on it. It came with 2 wood saddles.
Here's the dilemma:
According to this guy,
http://www.guildbassparts.com/alaskawil ... ddles.html
there were two different saddle profiles: flat and tall. I never knew that.

So, to those more luthier-inclined than I, will the tall saddles raise the strings too high for them to be adjusted to taste by the height adjustment screws? If so, I'll get a full set of flat saddles; but if not, I'd prefer getting just 2 of the tall saddles, and save a little money. A friend of mine told me yes, it does raise them too high, but I'd like to get some other opinions.

Maybe the change in profiles were due to the change in pickups (sc to hb), but honestly I don't know.

anyway thx for help...Tommy

 

[fronobulax]

I had not noticed the differences in saddle styles. I would have said my '67 Starfire and '71 JS both had the tall profile. Now I need to go check but that might take me a while.

Many years ago one of the Starfire saddles split and I had someone make a replacement set for me. As it turned out the replacements were much taller. I used them anyway. If you look from the side the bridge is almost flat on the mounting plate. That bass has the lowest action and best intonation of any of my basses.

So my experience suggests you could be happy with the taller saddles.

The seller has posted here and no one has reported problems with the transaction or the seller.

I will note that I'm not sure I'd agree that all '65's and most '66's had plastic saddles but that could be the case.

 

[Hangman]

Thanks Frono, that's good to know.

 

[gilded]

I will note that I'm not sure I'd agree that all '65's and most '66's had plastic saddles but that could be the case.

I can't 'comment' on whether all '65's and most '66's had plastic saddles but, I can say that my '66 SF I bass, serial no. BA 544, has flat-topped black plastic saddles on a 'pre-harp' Hagstrom bridge.

As well, this 'non-comment' allows me to mix my 1300th post with a quote from fronobulax!!! Hey, Brother frono, salud!

 

[fronobulax]

I will note that I'm not sure I'd agree that all '65's and most '66's had plastic saddles but that could be the case.

I can't 'comment' on whether all '65's and most '66's had plastic saddles but, I can say that my '66 SF I bass, serial no. BA 544, has flat-topped black plastic saddles on a 'pre-harp' Hagstrom bridge.

As well, this 'non-comment' allows me to mix my 1300th post with a quote from fronobulax!!! Hey, Brother frono, salud!

That was helpful, and congrats on the post count.

BA-544 was in my data as possibly rosewood and as a consequence there was some confusion in my mind as to when the shift occurred. If it is plastic than much of the confusion goes away and I will withdraw my comment since my data now supports all '65 and most '66 had plastic saddles. I suppose I should really search for Hans' posts for his numbers as well, and correct and update the Internet's Best (and Only) Source of Vintage Guild Starfire Bass P0RN.

 

[Hangman]

Okay, do you know how long the two anchor screws are? They didn't come with the harp bridge I bought, and my guitar tech wanted to know. Thanks..

 

[fronobulax]

Okay, do you know how long the two anchor screws are? They didn't come with the harp bridge I bought, and my guitar tech wanted to know. Thanks..

Which ones are you calling the anchors?

The pair closest to the saddles (used to raise and lower) or the other pair? If we can figure out how to measure without pulling the strings or bridge off the bass then I'll be glad to help but dis-assembly is a project beyond my time at the moment.

 

[Hangman]

The two screws securing the bridge to the body. I suppose something at least 1" long would suffice.

Which ones are you calling the anchors?

 

[gilded]

The two screws securing the bridge to the body. I suppose something at least 1" long would suffice.

Which ones are you calling the anchors?

Seems like I remember metal screws, with anchors......but that's just a guess, as my ability to recollect is more dim than ever......

HH