Modified Mustang Bridge won't fit JM bridge rout

[radagacuca]

I ordered a JM body over a yer ago. Now I just received a new Modified Mustang Bridge and the thimbles are about 1mm bigger than the rout (hole is 8mm, thimble is almost 9). I do not know how to proceed now.. am I supposed to drill the holes bigger till the thimbles fit in easily? Should I lube them and try to plastic-hammer them in?

Also curious: if I do drill the holes bigger, will an eventual upgrade to a Mastery Bridge be possible? Would the thimbles of the MB fit in ~9mm holes?

 

[Cagey]

I can't help on this very much. All I can say is that unlike the Fender parts, the Mastery bridge is a VERY close fit. If those holes aren't drilled exactly right, you'll have trouble. The Fender stuff is pretty sloppy, which is why they get replaced so often. Causes tuning instability.

If it was me and I was considering a Mastery bridge (they're very nice parts, if a bit pricey), I'd do it now rather than try to retrofit it. Use a drill press to make sure you place the holes precisely and perpendicular to the body.

I put a Mastery bridge on a Jaguar a year or so ago, and was impressed with the quality of the things. It all worked out well, but Warmoth drilled the holes to mount the thimbles. They use a CNC machine to do that sort of thing, so the accuracy is impeccable.