B-2 Tune-O-Matic Bridge (small posts) upgrades?

[rocket launcher]

Happy Holidays all!

 

I am upgrading my new Epi 345 B.B. King "Lucille" edition with a Bigsby B-6 and a Towner Bar. For the most part the new parts have gone on really well and I think I made a good choice with this combo.

 

My weakest link is the stock Epi B-2 Tune-o-matic bridge. For some reason they used the version that comes with the small M4 posts and small shallow bushings. The quality of this bridge is pretty pathetic. The M4 studs/bushings are so poorly fit tolerance wise, the bridge rocks back and forth and side to side quite a lot. instead of screwing down snugly, it feels like the studs are one size smaller than the bushings.

 

It didn't really matter all that much when there was a standard tail piece, however with the Bigsby, I am thinking the bridge will rock a bit and that will probably affect the tuning.

 

Based on my googling and noodling, it looks like I have the following options:

1. Replace with a Gotoh T-O-M bridge with the larger M8 posts (which I already have), use a 11mm drill bit to enlarge the bushing holes

2. Replace with a Nashville T-O-M bridge for smaller post bushings, at least the post and thumb wheel would be one piece and the stud shaft would be larger M5x.8

3. Replace with a better quality T-O-M bridge like a Grover 520G that has better quality machined posts and bearings and a one piece post/thumb wheel like the Nashville)

 

I would appreciate any insight you folks may have. I think if I fix this weak link and get this 345 all stitched up it will be a darn fun guitar to take to my weekly jam band practice!

Edited December 27, 2018 by rocket launcher

[AngelDeVille]

Is there space to add a second set of adjustment wheels?

 

The second set could tighten the posts to the body.

[rocket launcher]

Is there space to add a second set of adjustment wheels?

 

The second set could tighten the posts to the body.

 

Friggin brilliant idea! I attached a pic of how the bridge looked before I took it off for the Bigsby Install. Looks like there is enough room for another thumb wheel.

 

I can pick up a pair from Stewmac.

 

Even in this pic you can see the bridge leaning forward, that second thumb wheel should solve that.

[rocket launcher]

Is there space to add a second set of adjustment wheels?

 

The second set could tighten the posts to the body.

 

UPDATE: The 2nd pair of thumb wheels worked perfectly! The set that came from Stewmac were a tighter fit so I used those under the bridge and use the original pair to snug up the posts to the bearings.

 

The bridge is rock solid and no longer sways back and forth.

 

Thank you again for the suggestion!

[AngelDeVille]

UPDATE: The 2nd pair of thumb wheels worked perfectly! The set that came from Stewmac were a tighter fit so I used those under the bridge and use the original pair to snug up the posts to the bearings.

 

The bridge is rock solid and no longer sways back and forth.

 

Thank you again for the suggestion!

 

 

Be sure to tell everyone they are special "Tone Wheels".... "patent applied for"

[txflood]

On 1/2/2019 at 11:11 AM, rocket launcher said:

 

UPDATE: The 2nd pair of thumb wheels worked perfectly! The set that came from Stewmac were a tighter fit so I used those under the bridge and use the original pair to snug up the posts to the bearings.

 

The bridge is rock solid and no longer sways back and forth.

 

Thank you again for the suggestion!

 

Do you still have the link to the thumbwheels that you ordered from Stew Mac? I am facing the same problem and I see they have this set of posts/thumbwheels for sale for M4:

https://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Parts/All_Hardware_and_Parts_by_Instrument/Electric_Guitar_Parts/Electric_Guitar_Bridges_and_Tailpieces/Tune-o-matic_Bridge_Parts/Posts_Thumbwheels_for_ABR-1_Tune-o-matic_Bridges.html

I was hoping you could confirm if this is what you used. Thanks.