Installed a tune-matic on the 137.....

[High Flying Bird]

.... and it was not a pleasant experience. I feel like I have been breaded in dog doo, deep fried and stored in a jar of pickled eggs. I did save about $120.00 but I worked for it. The new bridge was too thick to fit in the old studs. The new mounting studs were metric and the bushing was SAE. I pulled the bushings and they were 13mm and the new bridge came with 12's. I shimmed it with teflon tape and strung it up to see if it would work. It wasn't pretty but it held tune very well. Today after work I went to a local shop, "T-Shepherds" and the guy there found two studs that would fit the wider bridge. He sold me the studs for $5.00 and the price of having to listen to his caustic comments. The bridge fits very tight as well. No leaning. I didn't think I would ever get the bridge on there but it in fine shape now.

 

Bridge - $24.00 Studs - $5.00. I also swapped out the knobs and the switch tip. Linkage to the bridge: http://www.anthillmu...764&i=248958264

 

Oh, yeah, check out the nice Access case!

 

 

 

[Keith7940236]

Looks nice. Must be a good feeling having it work out so well.

[Steiner]

Nice work!

 

Does Big Bob know you have a Heritage strap?

 

As always, Nice Porn! Thanks Sir Bird.

[big bob]

Glad to hear it worked out!

[GASguy]

It looks great, nice bit of work there!

[ledzef]

Don't feel bad Bird, when I bought the graphtech resomax I also bought their stopbar. Only probably is it's for metric not SAE, wasn't listed on graphtech website or ebay dealer. I guess I should have asked before I bought. Live and learn, I did find the info on WDparts. But anyways that bridge looks nice.

[DetroitBlues]

Wow, that looks great. Not a bad way to save some coin!

[DavesNotHere]

.... and it was not a pleasant experience. I feel like I have been breaded in dog doo, deep fried and stored in a jar of pickled eggs.

 

 

Unfortunatly, I can verify he also smelled like that.... damn I need some Eau de toilette just to keep from barfing.....

[High Flying Bird]

"Eau de toilette" just to keep from barfing.....

 

That's what you were drinking tonight wasn't it? (Eau de toilette IPA) I suspect that is what made you barf.

[High Flying Bird]

I got to play the 137 for several hours tonight unplugged. It has a lot of sustain and a lot of sound unplugged. It is taking me a while to get used to the thicker neck but it is a handful. A tone machine! It sounds good with a slide. My fingers hurt.......

[bolero]

looks great, nice job!!

 

I too have wound up scratching my head with a handful of mismatched studs/tailpiece parts, it kinda sucks

 

esp when it appears to be a 5 min job initially

 

ah well...makes it all the more satisfying when you finally get it all together & play the thing!!

 

that is a nice case too

[Hfan]

Nice guitar bird, my fav finish on those, good find. And that case looks like a nice upgrade, never seen one of those. I'm surprised there where metric studs in it. Thought all Heritage stuff was standard. Good you got it sorted out.

[DetroitBlues]

I got to play the 137 for several hours tonight unplugged. It has a lot of sustain and a lot of sound unplugged. It is taking me a while to get used to the thicker neck but it is a handful. A tone machine! It sounds good with a slide. My fingers hurt.......

 

I does look great... I think its missing something... hmm, I wonder... Oh ya, a pickguard. I heard it helps with sustain and makes it easier to play....

[DavesNotHere]

The finish is beautiful on this one. It's so much less yellow in person.

And I've come around on the pickguard for a TV yellow. I think a black PG looks sharp on a TV 137. It's a nice contrast.

I stll don't care for one on the cherry or walnut finish.

[yoslate]

Really nice, yes! But still can't touch the one of yours I let get away, for which I'm still kicking myself at least weekly.... Oh, yeah...that case is just beautiful!

[kbp810]

It's always nice when those "Ah hell, I can do that!" moments work out in the end

 

Great looking slab of wood you got there, and mighty fine sharp case to keep it in

[Kuz]

Nice job Ron!!! Looks great, probably a lot more functional.

 

For the music you play this guitar is a great match. Your stable with the 535, 357, and 137 are PERFECT for classic southern rock!!!!

[mark555]

That looks fantastic, I am (in a nice way) extremely envious!

[High Flying Bird]

For the music you play this guitar is a great match. Your stable with the 535, 357, and 137 are PERFECT for classic southern rock!!!!

 

The only southern rock I can stand is the Allman Brothers. Other than that we usually play psychedelic blues but it will do both with more left over.

[High Flying Bird]

Well, this story isn't over.... I thought the strings were tight but since the guitar had 9's on it and I was getting used to them when I changed them our for what I thought were 10's but must have been 11's. Last night I changed the strings and the bends got way easier. I wondered why my hands were so sore. Now I need to find another set of M3 screws and cut them a little longer to make changing strings easier.

 

Will it ever end!

[DetroitBlues]

What are the screws for?

[fretless]

that is one fine gitfiddle , PSA: Tonepros Studs are worth their weight in gold , the screw down tops accommodate thick bridges or any size and they lock down so no lean or loose parts , also come with bushings for a matched set .

[golferwave]

A beautiful job Ron. I think the H-137 originally came with an adjustible bridge/tailpiece? Anyway it seems that any project we attempt that damned Murphy guy and his law are always hanging around. Enjoy your new axe!