Filing a Badass II bridge.
 

ok, this seem to be one of the main reasons some people go around telling people not to get this Bridge, but realy, it takes no more than 10 minutes to fit it.
anyway, Here is:
1. Remove your old bridge(obviously remove your strings before you do this)
2. set the Badass II on it, this fill fit perfectly with the screw holes if you have a Fender.
3. String it up, and tune to pitch.
4, with the strings on, take something that can write or leave a visible mark on chrome, Black or Cold colour(all after what colour you want your bridge in) if you decide to use a file or something, just make superficial scrath, dont file into the bridge.
5. Now, loosen the string on that particular saddle and move it away from the saddle, atleast so its not in between the 2 lines that now should be on each side of where the string was.
6. Find a File that fits with the gauge of the string, and file a small dent in the saddle(as close as possible to the middle of the 2 lines) place string back, tune to pitch and push on the string ON the saddle(exactly where it lays in the filed spot, if it moves, take the string away, and file a little more, BUT NEVER MUCH!("violent" playing on that string will alsoi work fine)
7. Repeat this until the string lays solid and wont move on the saddle.
8. Repeat the same procedure on the other strings.

in my own experience, you dont have to file much before it wont move, but be sure that there are no sharp edges that can cut in the string when your done, if it is, carefully file it away, or round it.

Never File much at each time, like 2 - 3 back and forths each time, when you frist notice that there are a visible dent into the saddle, try the string, and see if it fits...

recomondations for files:
[B]3 Corner files[/B](the lightest gauge would fit best i guess ;))
[IMG]http://www.stewmac.com/catalog/images_2lg/1600_2lg.jpg[/IMG]
[url]http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Files/3-Corner_Fret_Dressing_Files.html[/url]

or

[B]needle files[/B](its this type i used and they work like a charm ;))
[IMG]http://www.stewmac.com/catalog/images_1lg/3062_1lg.jpg[/IMG]
[url]http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Files/Needle_Files.html[/url]


Now i think you should have the info you need to do this succsesfully(sp?) yourself ;) please ask if its more you need to know, i will answer after best knowledge.

I hope i could help some, thanks :)

About time someone did a lesson on this, theres a thread nearly every day asking about it.

Well done old boy, spiffing :thumb:

Great lesson Martin! I would ask for pictures of the steps but you dont have a brand new badass bridge on you to fit!

Also, what kind of file? Think you could find a picture of a suitable file? Do you mean the fully circular ones?

This is a somewhat-related question: I've got a recent P-Bass that I've done up aesthetically to look like a '59 P. I also want to add some more modern features, like an active pre-amp/pickup, and maybe a Badass II bridge.

I know the Badass fits in the existing screw holes, but will it fit under a bridge cover?

[QUOTE=markxander]This is a somewhat-related question: I've got a recent P-Bass that I've done up aesthetically to look like a '59 P. I also want to add some more modern features, like an active pre-amp/pickup, and maybe a Badass II bridge.

I know the Badass fits in the existing screw holes, but will it fit under a bridge cover?[/QUOTE]

no, it wont.


it sticks too far back.

[QUOTE=LewsTherin]no, it wont.


it sticks too far back.[/QUOTE]

Ah. I see. Harsh.

nice work

[quote=markxander]Ah. I see. Harsh.[/quote]


If you're any good at machining metal, you could possibly machine it out so that the bridge will fit, but barring that, theres not much you can do.

[quote=Jamie]Great lesson Martin! I would ask for pictures of the steps but you dont have a brand new badass bridge on you to fit!

Also, what kind of file? Think you could find a picture of a suitable file? Do you mean the fully circular ones?[/quote]


You want corner files. They're triangular. Theres pictures and a link to them in the article.

I don't know if I'll have to do it anymore...I have had that bridge for like 10 months now and you can see the wear...I just have to get it intonated.

[url]http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/falsehopesgg/19f970e3.jpg[/url]

[QUOTE=LewsTherin]You want corner files. They're triangular. Theres pictures and a link to them in the article.[/QUOTE]


Thanks, I think he edited them in after I asked :)


I'm getting a badass II soon so I'll take a bunch of pictures for the sake of it. Just to make the guide a little better :)

Really want to see those pictures Jamie, when you getting one? Anyone else have pictures of the process or just a close up of a finished one?

they say file it down to the size of the guage your using, but what if you put a bigger or smaller guage on?

[quote=jazz man]they say file it down to the size of the guage your using, but what if you put a bigger or smaller guage on?[/quote]

it shouldnt be too much of a problem. if you go smaller, the string should still sit fine in the slot. if you go bigger, it may or may not sit alright, so you might have to file a tiny bit more.

[QUOTE=da_$_man13]Really want to see those pictures Jamie, when you getting one? Anyone else have pictures of the process or just a close up of a finished one?[/QUOTE]

Sorry! It came preslotted :p