Just a little help with a vintage bridge

[rhythm]

Hi guys, I just got the last package of all the parts I need for my build - the pickups, all the electrinics and hardware etc......

Unfortunaly I think I have dud unit with my Fender bridge. It is a genuine Fender gold 6 hole vintage but I am pretty sure the thread for the bar has been drilled at the wrong angle. The thred angle means the bar is tilted back about 10-15 degrees which means when the bar tip sits at about 45-50 degrees from the body. To me this seems extreme. On all the strat bridges I have owned before (a grand total of 2 on my squiers!) the thread for the bar has been drilled directly down into the block through the bridge plate so the bar shaft sits directly vertical when screwed in. I am sure this thread should not be at an angle, but as this is my first vintage bridge and there are other differing features to the bridges I am used to I thought I would as you lot.

I dont think I really explained that to well. Tell me if it makes sense. Do I need to bother taking a photo?

I really hope I am wrong because I have to send this unit back to the States from England to a company who took about 3 weeks to process my order!  :sad1:

 

[rhythm]

Ok............. Seems my post was a little hard to understand so here is a photo. As you can see the arm is bent back at an angle. To me this seems extreme, is it a dud unit? I thought is wouls screw straight down and not at an angle like this.

 

[jackthehack]

They do default at an angle like that. If you don't like the angle, take it out of the bridge, put it in a vise and bend it to where you want the angle to be. DON'T try bending it while inserted into the bridge.

 

[stubhead]

If it's a standard Fender, you can purchase another bar for bending and angle experiments... either from an authorized dealer, or find out the thread size (internet, or take it to a decent hardware store) and get one on Ebay or whatnot.
http://instruments.shop.ebay.com/items/_W0QQBrand3d75b67ZFender7d360642QQ_dmptZGuitarQ5fAccessories?_nkw=fender+arm&_sacat=41407&_fromfsb=0&_trksid=m270.l1313
They're not at all steep.

 

[rhythm]

Good point fellas. I had not thought about bending. I am hunting down an extra arm on ebay now.

I know how easy it is to snap the thread off in the hold Jack, so I will most certainly do the bending your way. :icon_thumright:

 

[rhythm]

Hang on............... if not all bars are created equal, why would you angle thread and not just the bar? From Fender's point of view, surely a more versatile bridge is a vertical thread with various bent bars............

 

[llama]

I had to bent the arm on my '89 Fender US Strat when I bought it new.

 

[rhythm]

Arm bent. Problem solved. Thanks chaps.