Let's talk bridges :)

[basmansam]

I have a nos ('66) bridge I was going to put on my old reissue DS'd Starfire II. Send me a PM - I have wooden saddles too. I never liked these bridges, I thought the reissue harp were superior to the old bridge - has more adjustment.

 

[anxious mo-fo]

I have a nos ('66) bridge I was going to put on my old reissue DS'd Starfire II. Send me a PM - I have wooden saddles too. I never liked these bridges, I thought the reissue harp were superior to the old bridge - has more adjustment.

Did you need to do any modifications when you installed the reissue bridge?

 

[taabru45]

If you feel brave, you could get another metal piece, perhaps a piece out of a knife, or some other piece, then get some gel crazy glue and position the bridge together on top of it and let it dry overnight. clean up the edges with emery paper and re-install it....that might at least make it functional till you do find an appropriate replacement...I'm of the old....fix it if you can generation.... :wink: Steffan

 

[adorshki]

The location of the break, right through the edges of the stampings for the mounting screws, suggests that the metal was over-stressed at the time of manufacture, got a hairline crack or invisible stress fracture, and over the years it just kept getting bigger and weaker until finally, "snap". I'm only slightly versed in metals myself, but I think that's going to be a relatively cheap alloy that may not even be easily welded, let alone keeping a good alignment for the finished piece during the process.
I'd say go with Bassmansam's replacement. :wink:

 

[basmansam]

I have a nos ('66) bridge I was going to put on my old reissue DS'd Starfire II. Send me a PM - I have wooden saddles too. I never liked these bridges, I thought the reissue harp were superior to the old bridge - has more adjustment.

Did you need to do any modifications when you installed the reissue bridge?

I had a reissue Starfire with a stock reissue bridge. I was going to put a NOS '66 bridge - wooden saddle bridge like the broken one you own (not harp shaped). This bridge should be a direct replacement for your broken bridge with no modification required.

 

[fronobulax]

I have a nos ('66) bridge I was going to put on my old reissue DS'd Starfire II. Send me a PM - I have wooden saddles too. I never liked these bridges, I thought the reissue harp were superior to the old bridge - has more adjustment.

Did you need to do any modifications when you installed the reissue bridge?

I had a reissue Starfire with a stock reissue bridge. I was going to put a NOS '66 bridge - wooden saddle bridge like the broken one you own (not harp shaped). This bridge should be a direct replacement for your broken bridge with no modification required.

So you are saying the vintage bridge (I'm not distinguishing between the straight and the curved versions because I believe the mounting dimensions are the same) will fit the reissue bass? If so then that suggests that the reissue bridge will fit the vintage bass. Based upon a comment above, however, it does seem that the DeArmond bridge won't fit anything but a DeArmond.

 

[basmansam]

No, I never tried to fit it. I thought the cracked bridge was an original type starfire bridge and he needed a replacement. I am willing to help out. Am I not understanding correctly? I don't think the reissue and original are drop in replacements, it would need to be modified.

 

[fronobulax]

We are all confused and it's all my fault. I expanded the scope to gather data that might not be directly relavent.

anxious mo-fo needs a vintage bridge to fit his 70's M-85 and my understanding is that any bridge from a M-85, Starfire or JS bass prior to 1977 or so will fit.

The ebay bridge that started this is not a vintage bridge. The nature of the intonation adjustment suggests the eBay bridge is from a 90's reissue Starfire.

I think people are suggesting that the mounting holes for a vintage and a 90's reissue are different but I am not certain that has been confirmed by hands on experience.

The waters get muddied a bit because the DeArmond Starfire, also from the 90's, has a similar looking bridge but no one knows whether it could replace a vintage bridge or not.

 

[Happy Face]

The D'A Starfire bridge will not fit without drilling new holes. No clue on the reissue bridges. I'll be interested to hear.

Frono - thanks for pushing this to clarification. It's useful info for all of us.

 

[anxious mo-fo]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I don't have a definitive answer yet, but as soon as I get the bridge sorted out I will post the outcome right here.

 

[anxious mo-fo]

EDIT! After looking at my handywork, I realized my findings are flawed. Awww, raspberries.

The reissue bridge will NOT line up perfectly if you reuse the one original/existing mounting hole (adjacent to the E & A strings). It actually needs to be located a few more mm towards the knobs/controls.

So what this means is....one of the original/existing holes will need to be filled for re-drilling. When centered correctly, the new bridge lines up in a spot where maybe half of that original hole (nearest the E & A side) is visible. A new screw won't take hold of course, so I am using DAP plastic wood filler for this, which isn't the prettiest solution, but works quite well.

The asymmetrical shape of the bridge is probably what threw me off when I installed it the first time. That and being too damn impatient.

 

[fronobulax]

No idea about retrofitting but I do appreciate you reporting back.

 

[Happy Face]

No idea about retrofitting but I do appreciate you reporting back.

Yes, thanks for posting that!

 

[anxious mo-fo]

I've edited my post above due to the fact that I was a little off installing the new bridge.

And unfortunately, I am needing to sell this one for a number of reasons I won't go into here. Here is a link my for sale post:

http://letstalkguild.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=27712

Thanks!