Monorail Bass Bridge Adjustment.

[StathisBass]

Hello fellow bass players!
Recently, I bought a brand new Harley Benton bass, model B-450 and it was my first experience with a monorail bass bridge.

I found some posts about Ibanez's monorail bridges, but these were kind of different from these which are way cheaper, so these posts weren't really helpful.

I'd like to ask, based on the photos I'll upload, can you give me a step by step, detailed guide on how to adjust the height of the bridge?

Also, are there any other things I should know about these kind of bridges?

 

[96tbird]

Insert Allen key in the angled (lock) screw on the side of the cupped area and loosen it. Use the two straight up screws to raise and lower. Make sure the saddle remains level. When done tighten the lock screw.

To set intonation, loosen lock screw and slide the saddle where you need it. Retighten lock screw.

What you should know about these bridges is that they kinda suck.

JK. Be sure to use the correct Allen wrench. METRIC!!! The screws sockets can strip easily.

 

[mech]

What you should know about these bridges is that they kinda suck.

Yep. Designed by someone who never had to adjust them.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Insert Allen key in the angled (lock) screw on the side of the cupped area and loosen it. Use the two straight up screws to raise and lower. Make sure the saddle remains level. When done tighten the lock screw.

To set intonation, loosen lock screw and slide the saddle where you need it. Retighten lock screw.

What you should know about these bridges is that they kinda suck.

JK. Be sure to use the correct Allen wrench. METRIC!!! The screws sockets can strip easily.

Wait a minute...isn't the saddle height lock located on the front (fretboard) side of the assembly? The angled lock is for intonation as it allows the assembly to travel back 'n forth in the dovetail.

Riis

 

[96tbird]

Wait a minute...isn't the saddle height lock located on the front (fretboard) side of the assembly? The angled lock is for intonation as it allows the assembly to travel back 'n forth in the dovetail.

Riis

Yep it is. Bad pictures washed out by the flash, couldn’t see the it was a two piece saddle type until I looked again just now.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Yep it is. Bad pictures washed out by the flash, couldn’t see the it was a two piece saddle type until I looked again just now.

Could barely make it out myself. To bump the saddles back 'n forth (...for intonation), I use a strategically placed chopstick and small mallet. It's easier than wrestling the durn things with your thumbs.

Riis

 

[Les Fret]

How do I adjust the height of the Ibanez Monorail 4 bridge? I can lower or heighten the bridge saddles but I can only heighten it so far. Not enough for my taste. Do I need to unlock the black screw first. I can't find any info in this bridge. Thanks!

 

[Zooberwerx]

How do I adjust the height of the Ibanez Monorail 4 bridge? I can lower or heighten the bridge saddles but I can only heighten it so far. Not enough for my taste. Do I need to unlock the black screw first. I can't find any info in this bridge. Thanks!

Not sure which monorail you have but there should be a larger cap screw (socket head) which serves as a lock-down. Yes, it has to be loosened to raise the string height. Looking straight at the bass, it should be just to the left of the string and reside in a an elongated slot which accommodates the back 'n forth required for intonation adjustment.

Riis

 

[sissy kathy]

And loosen your strings when raising the saddle. Failing to do so can strip out a grub screw just as fast as the wrong size wrench.

 

[Les Fret]

Not sure which monorail you have but there should be a larger cap screw (socket head) which serves as a lock-down. Yes, it has to be loosened to raise the string height. Looking straight at the bass, it should be just to the left of the string and reside in a an elongated slot which accommodates the back 'n forth required for intonation adjustment.

Riis

It’s the MR4 bridge. See link below. What is a cap screw? I only see a black screw at the right of the heighten screws when holding the bass in the lap with neck To the left. See this website. Second picture from below.
GVB36 | GVB | ELECTRIC BASSES | PRODUCTS | Ibanez guitars

 

[Zooberwerx]

It’s the MR4 bridge. See link below. What is a cap screw? I only see a black screw at the right of the heighten screws when holding the bass in the lap with neck To the left. See this website. Second picture from below.
GVB36 | GVB | ELECTRIC BASSES | PRODUCTS | Ibanez guitars

Large black screw just behind the saddle with a socket to accept the hex key. That's your lock-down.

Riis