Taping the bridge

[hixmix]

Is it ok to us masking tape to keep a floating bridge in place?

Just asking because I want to remove all strings so I can polish the pickups and hardware.

Will the glue in regular masking tape mar the finish on a guitar?

 

[SHEPPARDB.]

use drafters tape instead.
BTW,have fun.(You'll know what I mean when you restring it)

 

[slidey]

use drafters tape instead.
BTW,have fun.(You'll know what I mean when you restring it)

damn straight..........

 

[Light]

We put very small pieces of electrical tape right behind the two feet of the bridge. Works great, and it doesn't damage the finish if you ever need to take it off. Also, because it is black it all but disapears when you have the guitar strung up.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi

 

[ez_willis]

Is it ok to us masking tape to keep a floating bridge in place?

Just asking because I want to remove all strings so I can polish the pickups and hardware.

Will the glue in regular masking tape mar the finish on a guitar?

What kind of guitar?

Not such a great idea to remove all the strings at the same time. Neck tension, etc..

 

[Light]

What kind of guitar?

Not such a great idea to remove all the strings at the same time. Neck tension, etc..

A common misconseption, but it is not at all true. The neck is not going to get damaged in the slightest by taking off all the strings at the same time.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi

 

[Clive Hugh]

I am assuming here that it is a Strat type guitar, in which case the easiest thing is to put a small wedge in behind the block, the spring tension will hold it there and when you restring it will come out easily.
I use plastic wedges that are used in a pair and one sits on top of the other at opposite hand and when pushed together widens on an even plane.

 

[ggunn]

I am assuming here that it is a Strat type guitar, in which case the easiest thing is to put a small wedge in behind the block, the spring tension will hold it there and when you restring it will come out easily.
I use plastic wedges that are used in a pair and one sits on top of the other at opposite hand and when pushed together widens on an even plane.

I am trying to figure out what the concern is. I take all the strings off my Strat and clean it up every time I change strings. With the strings off, the trem springs pull the block over to the body, but when I put new strings on and bring them up to pitch, it goes right back to where it was. What am I missing?

 

[nevome]

A floating trem bridge doesn't have the peice of wood behind it that your strat trem normaly rests on when the string tension is gone. It will have been routed, at least to some degree which could make putting strings back on it difficult.

I'd agree with the wedge/block suggestion, it worked for me.

 

[Scottgman]

I am trying to figure out what the concern is. I take all the strings off my Strat and clean it up every time I change strings.
...
What am I missing?

I've been doing this for 15+ years with every guitar I've owned and I've never had a problem with the neck on any of those guitars.

I wish there was a Myth Busters show dedicated to musicians/recording.

 

[ggunn]

A floating trem bridge doesn't have the peice of wood behind it that your strat trem normaly rests on when the string tension is gone. It will have been routed, at least to some degree which could make putting strings back on it difficult.

I'd agree with the wedge/block suggestion, it worked for me.

My Strat has a floating trem bridge. It is a stock routing, but I have it adjusted so there is a little play (about a half step) in the sharp direction.

 

[cephus]

It isn't a big deal to take the strings all off when you gotta. I don't think you should do it every time you change the strings - at least not as often as I change them. And cleaning a guitar every time you change the strings is kinda anal, too, isn't it?

It can take me months several adjustments to get the interface of the parts where they need to be for my guitars to play "sweetly". I don't think a setup is static - especially on a bolt-on neck guitar. I don't chance disrupting the delicate balance, so I change strings one at a time. every once in a while, I take them all off and do the 30,000 mile maintenance. I have had to adjust the trussrod after taking all the strings off at once before. I don't like to restart the long process of dialing in sweetness, so I'd prefer not to do stuff that can dislodge this collection of screwed-on pieces parts.

This is after 25 years of shitty bolt-neck guitars. I think the acheivement of a sweet setup is a religious experience and deserves respect and care.

 

[Light]

I am assuming here that it is a Strat type guitar, in which case the easiest thing is to put a small wedge in behind the block, the spring tension will hold it there and when you restring it will come out easily.
I use plastic wedges that are used in a pair and one sits on top of the other at opposite hand and when pushed together widens on an even plane.

See, and I'm pretty sure he is talking about a arch top guitar with a loose bridge, hence the tape.



Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi

 

[ggunn]

See, and I'm pretty sure he is talking about a arch top guitar with a loose bridge, hence the tape.



Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi

Ah. That's very different, isn't it? Never mind.

 

[gvarko]

What about a Floyd Rose

I changed the strings on one once. A month later when I installed the last string it sounded great!!

 

[cephus]

Why and the hell did I think it was a floyd-equipped guitar? I bet it sucks reconstructing a fricking archtop after you take all the strings off.

 

[legionserial]

Someone simply retuned one of my Floyd Rose'd guitars once. Took me 4 damn hours to get it back how it was and its still never been the same since. I bought new strings for it a year ago and I've been too scared to change them. And I can never find the frickin' allen keys when I need them either...

My strat has a floating trem. I've taken all the strings off at once a few times before and not really had any problems.