(Sorted) Gibson G3 Bridge saddle poles/pieces

[MarkG3]

So after doing some work on my G3 I've managed to lower the strings to a better position.

There was an old Gibson pick under the neck being used as a shim so I got that out.

It plays even better now. But the only problem is my hand is now getting pretty scratched up by the saddle poles sticking out loads on the top. What's the easiest and best way to sort this out? The E poles aren't original so use the Allen key to adjust unlike the other 3 which needs a flat head screwdriver.

Any advice would be great, thanks!

Edited August 26, 2016 by MarkG3

[MarkG3]

I've tried putting the cover back on too but it gets in the way when I play

[MarkG3]

Anyone have any ideas?

[MoonBassAlpha]

Sounds like shorter grub screws would do the trick. If they are m3 thread, I've got some nice stainless ones you can have. Alternatively you could take the saddle off, wind the screw down so it is flush with the top and either hacksaw, Dremel or file the other end off flush. Now as you adjust the saddle the head will be recessed. Job's a good un!

[PlungerModerno]

Try putting a smaller shim in the neck pocket - that will lessen the amount of height adjustment screw showing for the same string height.

If you make a custom shim that fits the entire neck pocket and tapers the desired amount you can get a stable joint with quite a few degrees neck angle change and /or a few mm of spacing to better set it up (e.g. with a different bridge than it was designed for). The only rule is that you increase screw length as needed - or risk a weaker joint.

[MarkG3]

Thanks everyone, I ended up getting a metal file from homebase and sanded down the bits down. Seems to have done the job, although the first one I did was upside down..... So I have been trying to make a bit of a groove in it so I can use a screwdriver like with the other saddle poles if I need to adjust it in the future

[MarkG3]

Does anyone know the size of the screws? I'm thinking of changing the E string ones back to the groove poles as they have been changed at some point to ones where you have to use an Allen key

[MarkG3]

I've read up a bit and these screws fit,

18-8 4-48

No idea what that means. Could anyone post a link to that?

[MarkG3]

Thanks Moonbass, just ordered some Mrs so hopefully they will fit. Doesn't matter if they don't fit as they were super cheap for 10

[MarkG3]

*m3s

Sadly they are a bit too big so I will try the next size down

[MoonBassAlpha]

Yeah I think on reflection it was highly unlikely American stuff from the 70s would be metric. The 4-48 size is a number 4 size with 48 threads per inch, quite fine. That would make it a UNF thread.

Edited August 12, 2016 by MoonBassAlpha

[MarkG3]

So is that the size I'm looking for? I tried an M2 and it's too small

[MarkG3]

If a link could be shared too that would be great. I'm really not good with numbers so trying to find the right ones and convert them either way is more advanced than what I can do

[MarkG3]

Through a Facebook group I was given details of a seller on eBay from the US who had some parts for sale. So ordered some of those

[MoonBassAlpha]

Just looked up the 18-8 bit. That's a grade of stainless steel (a2).

[MarkG3]

Ah ha ok.

So got the saddle screws today, perfect fit! So I'm happy, delivery was really quick considering it was coming from San Diego.

Also because I'm a BTTF fan, the person I was speaking with is called Emmett Brown!