17.5mm bridge string spacing Fender Precision bass

[SteveMoodie]

Hi all

I have a AVRI 61 Precision bass that I love the sound of (owned and played the heck out of for around 8 years). However, I'm still frustrated by the 19m string spacing at the bridge - I play palm muted with a pick and it's not an easy experience.

I'd like to have 17.5mm string spacing but I don't want to buy a massive adjustable bridge. I want to keep the vintage style bent-L design.

Does a Fender vintage style bridge with 17.5mm string spacing exist?

PS - I've scoured the web for a hours but can't finding anything.

PPS - I've tried using the threaded saddle grooves but it's physically impossible to get it down to 17.5mm (esp. on the E and G strings).

 

[sissy kathy]

No it doesn't exist. You can modify one; though you'll have to make a compromise or two. Buy an EXTRA set of threaded saddles. place them side by side as if they are mounted on the bridge and determine where you want the strings to go. Mark the location with as sharpie or dab or paint. Grab your handy dandy triangular file and file the selected groove deeper, much deeper. Beg, borrow, or steal a few feet of picture hanging wire. now mount the saddles and before you attempt to tune slip a couple wraps of the picture wire around the intonation screws and twist the ends together. Now tune. The two outside string anchor holes may need to be moved closed to the center.

 

[Marko 1]

Howsabout another bridge,

can be from another brand bass... if that's okay.

 

[SteveMoodie]

@Marko 1 that’s exactly what I’m asking. I can’t find any vintage style bridges less than 19mm spacing…
Do you know of any?

 

[kodiakblair]

I can’t find any vintage style bridges less than 19mm spacing…

Can you live with 18mm spacing ?

David Konig sells modified Wilkinson bridges.

Retrovibe 18mm spacing bass bridge top load. Hand modified Wilkinson hardware | Retrovibe

Is 2 saddles an option ?

Korean hardware company Sung Il make a 2 saddle bridge with 18mm spacing.

Bass bridges > BB 017 1 페이지

 

[SteveMoodie]

thanks for that. Both of those bridges aren’t direct replacements because the holes don’t line up. I’ll have a think about whether I want to drill new holes from 1mm difference

Can you live with 18mm spacing ?

David Konig sells modified Wilkinson bridges.

Retrovibe 18mm spacing bass bridge top load. Hand modified Wilkinson hardware | Retrovibe

Is 2 saddles an option ?

Korean hardware company Sung Il make a 2 saddle bridge with 18mm spacing.

Bass bridges > BB 017 1 페이지

 

[J Posega]

I believe the Allparts Omega (Badass clone) has grooved saddles which might allow for that spacing, I'm not sure.

BB-3351 4-String Grooved Omega Bass® BridgeChrome

 

[SteveMoodie]

I believe the Allparts Omega (Badass clone) has grooved saddles which might allow for that spacing, I'm not sure.

BB-3351 4-String Grooved Omega Bass® BridgeChrome

Thanks but it’s not a bent plate / vintage design.

I feel like there’s maybe a gap in the market here

 

[J Posega]

Thanks but it’s not a bent plate / vintage design.

I feel like there’s maybe a gap in the market here

You're definitely in the minority on wanting a 34" scale 4-string with narrow spacing like that.

I'd just get a threaded-saddle bridge and figure out where the strings need to sit, then file a slightly deeper groove.

 

[sissy kathy]

Thanks but it’s not a bent plate / vintage design.

I feel like there’s maybe a gap in the market here

Not a gap, maybe a crack. The demand is too small to make it worthwhile to fill. 32 kilo, 1.4 M, 12 year old children play with 19 mm string spacing everyday; some of them are phenomenal.

 

[kodiakblair]

Thanks but it’s not a bent plate / vintage design.

I feel like there’s maybe a gap in the market here

Shipping, exchange rate and duties will make buying any bridge expensive.

Phone a few engineering shops in NZ , I'll bet one of them can knock you up a 17.5mm BBOT bridge. Your existing bridge will act as the template for the mounting screw holes.

 

[stringtheory6]

Hi all

I have a AVRI 61 Precision bass that I love the sound of (owned and played the heck out of for around 8 years). However, I'm still frustrated by the 19m string spacing at the bridge - I play palm muted with a pick and it's not an easy experience.

I'd like to have 17.5mm string spacing but I don't want to buy a massive adjustable bridge. I want to keep the vintage style bent-L design.

Does a Fender vintage style bridge with 17.5mm string spacing exist?

PS - I've scoured the web for a hours but can't finding anything.

PPS - I've tried using the threaded saddle grooves but it's physically impossible to get it down to 17.5mm (esp. on the E and G strings).

 

[kgbeast]

Maybe you can try the saddles from this bridge with you existing plate. I do not thing you will need to redrill or oval the holes.
Wilkinson WOB41T 57mm (2-1/4 inch) 4-String Bass Bridge Threaded Saddles for Precision/Jazz Bass, Chrome https://a.co/d/gWcoAmm

$18 is not a huge expense and if it does not work, you can return it. I would try that.

 

[sissy kathy]

Maybe you can try the saddles from this bridge with you existing plate. I do not thing you will need to redrill or oval the holes.
Wilkinson WOB41T 57mm (2-1/4 inch) 4-String Bass Bridge Threaded Saddles for Precision/Jazz Bass, Chrome https://a.co/d/gWcoAmm

$18 is not a huge expense and if it does not work, you can return it. I would try that.

Not really, they're selling the King his clothes. Just try getting all the strings 16mm apart, then try to get them 22mm apart; you'll find at least one an impossible task.

 

[fhm555]

Shipping, exchange rate and duties will make buying any bridge expensive.

Phone a few engineering shops in NZ , I'll bet one of them can knock you up a 17.5mm BBOT bridge. Your existing bridge will act as the template for the mounting screw holes.

^this^
Not sure about NZ but here, technical schools with machinist programs take on such projects. All you need do is tell them what you want and supply the stock to make it.