Hi have a small project. I have a guitar bridge that needs tapping. I have attached an imag

[barryv4]

Hi I just registered on this site today. I am in London UK, a musician and have a small project. Attached is an image of my guitar bridge. The mounting holes on the bridge are too small for the support bolts on the body. They need to be tapped (prefferably) to match the 4mm bolts that I just purchased. The bolts are threaded into the wood (body) of the guitar thus I can only the mounting holes on the bridge can be modified. I'm in Beckenham, London and hope to find someone who is fairly close thus not to having to post the bridge. The old bridge is also in photo...showing that the new bridge holes are smaller. The brand new replacement (bridge mounting) posts I just got thread into the wood perfectly. The old mounting bolts are damaged. The mounting holes on the bridge are presently not threaded. If they were just widened that could work fine, but if threaded it should be better due to 100% transfer of vibration which equates to better tone (sound). I'm willing to negotiate a reasonable price for this service.
Thanks for replying ahead of time.
Barry

 

[markba633csi]

On a Gibson bridge the unit floats on two thumbwheels which are on posts driven into the body. That's how the height is adjusted; the holes are not supposed to be threaded.
Is this a different arrangement? Will you still have height adjustment? I'm not visualizing the system you have

 

[barryv4]

On a Gibson bridge the unit floats on two thumbwheels which are on posts driven into the body. That's how the height is adjusted; the holes are not supposed to be threaded.
Is this a different typ

 

[barryv4]

You are completely correct! The guitar is a very nice copy of a Les Paul! An L90 by Hohner Proffessional. Gibson sued them over this same model. I realized my error a while back but had not gotten around to correcting the info. So all that needs to be done is a slight widening of the bridge mounting holes. Of course the holes must still be perpendicular to the bridge when the work is done. A milling machine would be the tool to accomplish this but I don't have one...or even a place to do such type of work at the moment. So I am willing to negotiate a fair price for someone near me (if possible) to do it.

 

[markba633csi]

A decent drill press would really be all you would need to do a clean job of it-
You don't know anyone with one? In London there must be dozens within walking distance.
I would wager many well equipped guitar shops would be able to do the job for a few quid

Yes on a Les Paul (and most guitars) the tailpiece is fastened directly to the body but the bridge needs to be adjustable for string height

 

[barryv4]

A decent drill press would really be all you would need to do a clean job of it
You don't know anyone with one? In london there must be dozens within walking distance
Plus, I would wager many well equipped guitar shops would be able to do the job for a few quid

I agree totally but no I just moved to a new area and as we know how people can be isolated in big or even small cities. If it were in the country it would be easier to find someone....most likely by word of mouth. I just started my search so I'm encouraged. Thanks for the reply.

 

[markba633csi]

If the hole centers need to move then yes, a milling machine would be needed- but as far as I know the hole spacing should be pretty standardized for most Les Paul type models- even the copies
Apparently the hole diameter isn't

Also-I notice your new bridge is missing the little slots for the strings to rest in.. do they expect you to do that yourself?
A bit more DIY than I would expect

 

[barryv4]

I wish you were right...The diameter of the hole(s) are too small for the 4mm bolts to pass through.
I purchased the bridge from a company in Germany. They took more than a year to complete it and when I got it, I find myself with this problem.
I cringe at the thought of having to send it back so I had filled down the threads at the top of the bolts...and that allowed adequate clearance, allowing a fairly workable bridge but I need to rectify this permanently.

 

[Pevehouse]

I wish you were right...The diameter of the hole(s) are too small for the 4mm bolts to pass through.
I purchased the bridge from a company in Germany. They took more than a year to complete it and when I got it, I find myself with this problem.
I cringe at the thought of having to send it back so I had filled down the threads at the top of the bolts...and that allowed adequate clearance, allowing a fairly workable bridge but I need to rectify this permanently.

Sounds like a cool guitar. If I were close I would be delighted to help. I have an older Cory that was a PRS copy. They went all out on it one year. Back in 96 I believe. Plays like a dream

 

[barryv4]

I have a Cobra Tom Anderson...Let's agree that they are not cheap! The Hohner cost me 1/4 of what the L90 did but it is actually my go to axe. It heavy and exudes quality. I put Jescar gold frets on it...the frets were buzzing string at the top of the neck. Also changed the tuners to Graphtech ratios. Then I got some custom p90's made. I was having a hard time getting the neck right but finally won that one too. Now it plays and sounds great.