Gianco Posted August 23, 2014 Posted August 23, 2014 Hi this morning I've tried to replace my old tune o magic with a new graph tech resomax one. Well, you know as soon as i removed the old bridge I've found these strangest posts. They are smaller than the others in all the universe. And they are unremovable! So: I can't replace the bridge because the new graph tech requires bigger bushings to fit in. Now at the end of this tragedy I'm wondering if you ever try to replace bridge on a heritage.
MartyGrass Posted August 23, 2014 Posted August 23, 2014 Sounds like you need to pop out the bushings and seat a different set. There are videos on YouTube to walk you through it. Some of us like that sort of stuff. Some hire it out. It reminds me of The Zen of Motorcycle Repair.
Gianco Posted August 23, 2014 Author Posted August 23, 2014 Yes Marty, it's exactly what you said. I beg your pardon, but I am not an englishman, so my language skills ( especially in this case) aren't so good. Anyway, I appreciate your reply, and yes, I saw many videos on youtube, BUT there aren't nothing with smallest bushings on the universe: i mean the Heritage ones. in this "funny" video I can understand the "philosophy" of replacing bushings. But I can tell that on my guitar this method is quit impossible due to small hole of the bushings. So, anyone can help me if you please?
Blunote Posted August 23, 2014 Posted August 23, 2014 http://www.heritageownersclub.com/forums/topic/24084-alright-faber-bridge-fans-which-to-get/?hl=faber http://www.heritageownersclub.com/forums/topic/18174-hardware-retrofit/page-3?hl=+kidsmoke%20+faber Here's a couple of previous threads on the subject. It shouldn't be necessary to ream out the holes to fit new bushings.
Kuz Posted August 23, 2014 Posted August 23, 2014 The difference is probably metric vs USA/English post sizes.
Gianco Posted August 23, 2014 Author Posted August 23, 2014 So guys, the real problem is: how can I REMOVE the small old and native bushings?? There are no screws suitable to push outside the bushing, it's quite impossible. I even check other threads, but nothing about this point! Anyone knows a method to "uncork" these little heritage bushings??
davesultra Posted August 23, 2014 Posted August 23, 2014 Are you saying that you can't find a long bolt that will screw into the old bushing?
MartyGrass Posted August 23, 2014 Posted August 23, 2014 So your original question is why is Heritage odd? No question, they can be odd, but they are not crazy. They believe that they use good hardware. The specific type has certainly changed over the years though. Many of us want to change parts out. Most of the time, IMO, it's for highly questionable reasons. But I do this stuff as much as the next guy anyway. There is a tool that will screw into the bushing and pull it out, several types of tools actually. Your luthier should be able to do that job and put the new bushings in within 15 minutes if you prep the guitar for him. Another option is to find a long bolt that matches the threads of your post. Screw that bolt in until it pushes the bushing out. If for some reason the bushing isn't open on the bottom (highly unlikely), you can still pull the bushing out by clamping the head of the bolt and pulling. Don't give up. It's just wood, steel and a man's wits. You can succeed.
Millennium Maestro Posted August 23, 2014 Posted August 23, 2014 The difference is probably metric vs USA/English post sizes. Bingo... Those large post bridges are METRIC A solution may be to take the bridge apart and swap the saddles... Each screw has a retainer clip and the screw will unscrew and draw out from the saddle
Gianco Posted August 23, 2014 Author Posted August 23, 2014 Dear Marty, first of all thanks for your tips and encouragements. I honestly think that Heritage uses good hardware, but I need to change the bridge in order to have the graph tech with graph saddles. For some looong story I was forced to buy the entire bridge, and so here I am. I could seem naive to you,you might think that I could not consider the luthier wisdom; unfortunately in my little city they there aren't at all. I haven't such specialized tools too. Last but not least, can you help me to understand what is "long bolt". Well, I mean I'm not sure to understand how a bolt could match threaded hole. Thank you so much.
Millennium Maestro Posted August 23, 2014 Posted August 23, 2014 Oddly... the original bridge is the better of the 2 bridges
Blunote Posted August 23, 2014 Posted August 23, 2014 Gianco, Remove one of the current posts and go to a hardware store. Find where they sell nuts then try to screw the post into the nuts until you find one that works. At this point you've identified the thread. Next, purchase a bolt that is threaded to go in the nut (buy one with 2 1/5 inches of thread on it. Finally, take the bolt home and screw it into your guitar inserts until it hits bottom. Then keep screwing it in.. As you do, you'll notice the inserts will lift out of the hole as you see in the videos. Press a new set of inserts into the hole that fit the bolts for your new stop-tail, or bridge, and your golden.
davesultra Posted August 23, 2014 Posted August 23, 2014 Try to find a bolt that has the same threads as the thumbwhell that goes into the post. Thread the bolt into the post and keep tightening it. The end of the bolt will eventually go through the post, and will push against the wood at the bottom of the post hole. The bushing will lift out of the hole as it threads on to the bolt.
Gianco Posted August 23, 2014 Author Posted August 23, 2014 Millenium, I just want to inform you that "taking the bridge apart and swap the saddles" is the last resort. the B plan. I truly can't say if the original bridge could be better. I still have not compared.
Gianco Posted August 23, 2014 Author Posted August 23, 2014 Ok. It seems now I solved my issue. But Unfortunately I won't be able to replace with the new resomax. The hole compared to the bushings is tiny. I guess that screwing the bushings in order to spread the wood is the stupidiest thing to do. Eventually I'm resigned, I'm gonna replacing the saddles only. Thank you so much for everything. Greetings.
Hfan Posted August 23, 2014 Posted August 23, 2014 Sounds like you need to pop out the bushings and seat a different set. There are videos on YouTube to walk you through it. Some of us like that sort of stuff. Some hire it out. It reminds me of The Zen of Motorcycle Repair. I read that book many moons ago..a sad ending if I recall..great story for mechanical types. I replaced a bridge on a 150 with a tone pros..got the metric size and it was easy peasey.
Millennium Maestro Posted August 23, 2014 Posted August 23, 2014 Ok. It seems now I solved my issue. But Unfortunately I won't be able to replace with the new resomax. The hole compared to the bushings is tiny. I guess that screwing the bushings in order to spread the wood is the stupidiest thing to do. Eventually I'm resigned, I'm gonna replacing the saddles only. Thank you so much for everything. Greetings. I love getting into these little projects, Enjoy! The original bridge is good quality, you will minimize binding by using the newer graph tech saddles. You are welcome to PM me for my phone number, if you get into these projects I can offer my experience to help you make the right orders in the future. Those bridge posts are commonly used on the epiphones and import guitars Easily identifiable with the big post hole and slotted post adjuster in the middle.
Millennium Maestro Posted August 23, 2014 Posted August 23, 2014 ps. Those Graph tech saddles look wider, you may want to reverse a few in the event they need more range backwards for intonation(Low E and G)
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