16mm String Spacing, 4 String Bridge Options?

[rossc]

Hey guys,

I recently bought a 70s Short-Scale Jedson Tele Bass - it’s been an absolute nightmare since the moment I got it, but I really do love it.

It’s main issue is the horrendous intonation, caused by it’s fixed bridge setup. Before putting a few temporary shims in, it was almost a whole semitone sharp at the 12th fret, on the E string, at least…

I foolishly bought a 19mm spaced tune-o-matic bridge before checking the string spacing on the Jedson. Needless to say, it’s way too big, with the string spacing on the Jedson being about 16mm at the bridge.

Does anyone know of somewhere I can get a 16mm bridge (preferably tune-o-matic) for a 4 string bass?

Really appreciate any help, this is all very new to me!

Cheers!

 

[NoiseNinja]

I think at that low string spacing your cheapest and perhaps also only option would be to install individual mono rail bridge pieces.

Like this one :

I might be wrong though, so wait till other have dialed in with their 50 cent.

Though a replacement Danelectro Longhorn Bass bridge might be able to do the trick as well, and that you should be able to get for less than what 4 mono rail pieces would cost, I think the string spacing of that bridge is 17mm.

Like this :

 

[funkinbottom]

Hipshot sells a 16.5 4 String A Style Bass Bridge

 

[funkinbottom]

Sorry, you're looking for a tune-o-matic. Maybe the Hipshot D style bridge, but I believe 18mm is as narrow as they make.

 

[Bob_Ross]

preferably tune-o-matic

When you say "tune-o-matic" do you mean like the Gibson Tune-O-Matic guitar bridges that have their height adjusted via the two threaded posts or thumbwheels they sit on, and then there's a separate tailpiece to anchor the strings? i.e., like this?

If so, I'm not aware of any bass bridges that follow that model.

otoh, if you just meant it needs to have adjustable intonation, a Kahler 2440 can be setup with 16mm string spacing:

 

[GIBrat51]

A few Gretsch basses use the Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge. They're usually the models that have floating bridges, too. My '94 G6119B Broadkaster has one, but... I just measured it, and the string spacing is 11/16"; a hair over 17 mm. Tune-O-Matic bass bridges are available - pretty sure Allparts might have them - but that spacing might be a problem. However... that Danelectro Pro bridge that NoiseNinja posted a picture of; I have 2 Danos that wear them. If you can make that bridge work on your bass? The string spacing is 16mm...