Chewed-Up Bridge Studs

[CandidPicker]

I bought a wide, fat blade standard screw driver that fits the slot fairly fully. Since there’s little play, there’s less chance of marring the screws. I also place a thin piece of cotton (old T shirt) over the slot before inserting said screw driver. Not sure it’s the best method, but I’ve never marred the slots.

Likely good advice, Steve. Will try to find a small handled wide blade that can be held tightly with good control. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[CandidPicker]

UPDATE:

Located a 13mm wide film camera screwdriver that is primarily used for attaching cameras to tripod bases. The 13mm is hopefully wide but thin enough to fit into the slot of the bridge stud. The next smaller alternative is a ⅜" blade longer-handled standard screwdriver. The camera screwdriver fits in your palm, with horizontal grip. Might not be the solution, but at least a more cost-effective one...

 

[CandidPicker]

03/12 UPDATE:

The PRS nickel bridge studs arrived from John Mann today. Am awaiting remaining amazon delivery before being able to perform bridge stud replacement/intonation.

Gonna wear a sweatshirt because it's still cool outside. No sense getting all hot and sweaty over nothing.

 

[Lacire]

Here’s what I’ve been using for the last few years. Being made from wood they do not mar the studs, I’ve never broken one but I always loosen the strings to adjust the bridge studs. Made from two large popsicle/tongue depresser’s. I saturate the end with super glue to harden it. Not real pretty but it works good.
https://i.imgur.com/EIb6fvw.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/CQUrzJ1.jpg

 

[CandidPicker]

Here’s what I’ve been using for the last few years. Being made from wood they do not mar the studs, I’ve never broken one but I always loosen the strings to adjust the bridge studs. Made from two large popsicle/tongue depresser’s. I saturate the end with super glue to harden it. Not real pretty but it works good.
https://i.imgur.com/EIb6fvw.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/CQUrzJ1.jpg

Great idea! Family used to have several of these for marking garden rows. I think I'll need to find some extras, but I "dig" the concept (pardon the pun).

Friday night, my essential intonation tools arrived via amazon. The tools were a metal gauge that measures string and pickup height, a strobe tuner (Korg Pitchblack Custom) plus adapter, a 3-pack of acoustic strings, and a camera screwdriver (that was just a tad too thick to fit into the stud groove).

It took about an hour of slow and determined work (needed to measure the height of the bridge studs and adjust, plus adjust the allen screws at either side of the bridge end for string length) with the strobe tuner, but after some mild trial and error, was successful!

Then today, the guitar was put back up onto my workspace and the pickup height was adjusted to factory spec.

Plugged her in.

Holy Mackerel! What an improvement! Tried it with some dirt. Yowza! Sprayed some Fingerease to lube the fretboard. Yes! Popped some Bob Gardner blues onto my Music list to jam with...Yup, that's it! Please forgive the self-ingratiating praise. This is what I've been looking for some time now.

And I have several people to thank, though they may not be aware of what they've had a hand in. Am happy now, and have nobody else to thank except those who helped "prepare the soil" for me. This was much more than my "garden variety" maintenance work that I'm used to. Much appreciated.

 

[CandidPicker]

Here's the results:

 

[aphantomvaper]

Nice work, Stud!

 

[LSchefman]

Looks great!

 

[CandidPicker]

Have located some tongue depressors at a local medical supply pharmacy. Will visit later this week and purchase a handful, then try @Lacire's suggestion of making your own tool. Will be handy to own the correct tool for the job (thanks, Les).

 

[CandidPicker]

Here’s what I’ve been using for the last few years. Being made from wood they do not mar the studs, I’ve never broken one but I always loosen the strings to adjust the bridge studs. Made from two large popsicle/tongue depresser’s. I saturate the end with super glue to harden it. Not real pretty but it works good.
https://i.imgur.com/EIb6fvw.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/CQUrzJ1.jpg

When you soak the sticks in superglue, how do you remove the excess? Do you use a toothpick to brush the glue on first, and somehow clean the leading edge? Or what?

 

[Lacire]

Take two tongue depressors, cut one depressor in half, glue and clamp each half to the un-cut tongue depressor. When the glue has dried I then cut the un-cut depressor to length, about 1/8” longer than the other two. I sand the end flat, then I just saturate the end with super glue till the wood won’t absorb any more, usually a couple coats, If you get to much on just dab it with a paper towel. These have worked pretty well for me, again I loosen the strings before making an adjustment to the studs. Good luck and if you need anything else answered just ask. Take care, Eric.

https://i.imgur.com/CQUrzJ1.jpg

 

[CandidPicker]

I just cut one tongue depressors in half, glue and clamp each half to the un-cut tongue depressor. When the glue has dried I then cut the un-cut depressor to length, about 1/8” longer than the other two. I sand the end flat, then I just saturate the end with super glue till the wood won’t absorb any more, usually a couple coats, If you get to much on just dab it with a paper towel. These have worked pretty well for me, again I loosen the strings before making an adjustment to the studs. Good luck and if you need anything else answered just ask. Take care, Eric.

In the words of the Shakesperian actor from Pygmalion, "By Jove, I think she's got it!"

(Took a few rereads to clarify what you wrote. Now I've got a firm grasp of your instructions.)

 

[Alnus Rubra]

This thread is responsible for me ordering raw brass SE bridge studs!

Thanks Bob!

 

[CandidPicker]

This thread is responsible for me ordering raw brass SE bridge studs!

Thanks Bob!

Reub,

Be sure you order the SE PRS metric ones...if you've ordered from John Mann, his MannMade ones may not fit the SE bridge tightly enough...YMMV. Will make a call to John to verify or not.

Just verified...the MannMade studs will fit the bridge wells, but will not likely line up and accept the PRS SE bridge. MannMade parts are designed to work with MannMade bridges, not PRS ones.

Now the good news.

I spoke with Roxanne at John Mann's Guitar Vault and she said she had a set of nickel/brass PRS SE metric studs their repair shop had pulled from a previous repair. Although I don't know their condition, Roxanne said she could see to it to let them go for cheap, considering shipping to the UK might be more costly.

Just email Roxanne at [email protected] for further details.

Or, these:

https://reverb.com/item/22767654-pa...et-polished-brass-new-acc-4045-new-orig-parts

Rock on...

 

[Alnus Rubra]

Reub,

Be sure you order the SE PRS metric ones...if you've ordered from John Mann, his MannMade ones may not fit the SE bridge tightly enough...YMMV. Will make a call to John to verify or not.

Just verified...the MannMade studs will fit the bridge wells, but will not likely line up and accept the PRS SE bridge. MannMade parts are designed to work with MannMade bridges, not PRS ones.

Now the good news.

I spoke with Roxanne at John Mann's Guitar Vault and she said she had a set of nickel/brass PRS SE metric studs their repair shop had pulled from a previous repair. Although I don't know their condition, Roxanne said she could see to it to let them go for cheap, considering shipping to the UK might be more costly.

Just email Roxanne at [email protected] for further details.

Or, these:

https://reverb.com/item/22767654-pa...et-polished-brass-new-acc-4045-new-orig-parts

Rock on...

Yep SE metric studs ordered. Thanks for caring to ask.

UK supplier on reverb, yay!!

 

[CandidPicker]

Yep SE metric studs ordered. Thanks for caring to ask.

UK supplier on reverb, yay!!

 

[aphantomvaper]

This thread is responsible for me ordering raw brass SE bridge studs!

Thanks Bob!

Somehow I knew you were going to do this . I also ordered a set for my 245. I anticipate a couple more posts on the 245 Love thread...

 

[Single_tone]

I have a stud that must be cross threaded. It just won't budge and I've already buggered the slot up enough. I will be ordering steel studs soon, but will need to get this out. Any suggestions? Or just pull out the whole deal, bushing and all? Where does on find replacement bushings?

 

[Alnus Rubra]

I have a stud that must be cross threaded. It just won't budge and I've already buggered the slot up enough. I will be ordering steel studs soon, but will need to get this out. Any suggestions? Or just pull out the whole deal, bushing and all? Where does on find replacement bushings?

John Mann or PRS accessory store for USA.

I used Glued to Music for PRS spares in UK/Europe. Other parts stockists are in UK/Europe if you’re this side of the pond.

Your question caused me to watch this, so I thought I’d share for anyone else who’s interested -

 

[Single_tone]

Just what I need, thanks man!