P - bass Classic 50's vintage bridge

[keef71]

Hello all, I have just acquired this bass, Just a quick question re Fender vintage bridge saddles. I am finding the slot type saddle screws on the E and G are sitting high and making a nice job of lacerating my palm/side of hand. Its maybe not quite as bad as that but it is uncomfortable. I feel that shortening the bottom of the screws where they sit on the plate will be the answer. Has anyone had to do this fiddly job with the screws being so small? Alternatively are shorter screws available anywhere?

[PlungerModerno]

[quote name='keef71' timestamp='1478373358' post='3168745']
Hello all, I have just acquired this bass, Just a quick question re Fender vintage bridge saddles. I am finding the slot type saddle screws on the E and G are sitting high and making a nice job of lacerating my palm/side of hand. Its maybe not quite as bad as that but it is uncomfortable. I feel that shortening the bottom of the screws where they sit on the plate will be the answer. Has anyone had to do this fiddly job with the screws being so small? Alternatively are shorter screws available anywhere?
[/quote]

Traditional solution is a neck shim - or a thicker neck shim!

Much easier than sourcing perfect replacement screws that're shorter - or recessing a bridge.

[gary mac]

Like Plunger suggests, a shim might well be the answer but I have on occasion cut down saddle screws. It is a long winded faff though. I have also bought a set of shorter saddle screws, can't recall from where though It might have been Allparts or Axes RUs.

[essexbasscat]

Shorter screws shouldn't be that hard to find, I bought some for a Tele I was working on. A fairly cheap solution to the problem and certainly a lot quicker than shimming a neck

Try Allparts or WD music to begin with ?

[geoffbyrne]

I bought some from Axes'R'Us recently.

G.

[ikay]

The standard Fender vintage slot head saddle screw is 1/2" long - [url="http://www.allparts.uk.com/products/bridge-saddle-height-screws-for-bass-or-t-guitar-slot-head-6-32-x-1-2-inch"]http://www.allparts....6-32-x-1-2-inch[/url]

If you don't mind swapping them out for hex/allen key screws then you can buy 1/2" and shorter 3/8 grub screws of the correct spec (UNC 6-32) here - [url="http://www.modelfixi..._screws.htm"]http://www.modelfixi..._screws.htm[/url] (Click on UNC Grub Screws)

Edited November 6, 2016 by ikay

[keef71]

Thank you everybody for your help and input. I feel shorter replacement screws are my easiest option so Ikay......thanks for that useful link, I will be ordering the hex screws (one pack of 1/2" and one of 3/8") as I'm not a purist, I much prefer hex screws.

[MoonBassAlpha]

I'd go for stainless steel ones too, if you can readily find them. I've got a bag of them, but metric m3 ones.