Trapeze tailpieces, unsecured bridges and restringing...

[St_Genesius]

So I went over to a buddy's house this past weekend and he asked me to re-string and give a basic set-up to his new Ibanez Artcore. Though I've never really worked on a Trapeze tailpiece before, I didn't assume too much was going to be different from working on a Tune-o-matic.

I was kinda wrong.

As soon as I unstrung it, the bridge fell off and the tailpiece crashed into the body. Thankfully, it didn't scar anything, but man did I feel stupid. It took the better part of half and hour trying to reposition the bridge so that the intonation was dead-on. Thankfully I made some rought adjustments to the action before I set out on that quest, so I didn't have to do it twice. In the end, everything was definitely feeling and sounding better than before.

How do y'all handle these setups? Do you do it one-string at a time so that nothign falls off or do you make a small pencil mark on the body to help you repostion the bridge? Some other option?

[bert123]

Re: Trapeze tailpieces, unsecured bridges and restringing...

....
How do y'all handle these setups? Do you do it one-string at a time so that nothign falls off or do you make a small pencil mark on the body to help you repostion the bridge? Some other option?

I'm no expert but one string at a time is how I've done it after my first experience with my trapeze tailpiece/floating bridge and the bridge falling to the ground some 35 years ago.

[D-EJ915]

Re: Trapeze tailpieces, unsecured bridges and restringing...

One string at a time is how I've understood is how you're supposed to keep correct tension on the neck! lol, I thought it was obvious, makes it easier to tune also.

[FretFire]

Re: Trapeze tailpieces, unsecured bridges and restringing...

One string at a time is how I've understood is how you're supposed to keep correct tension on the neck! lol, I thought it was obvious, makes it easier to tune also.

I always take all the strings off of my guitars (unless it's got a Floyd Rose). Taking the tension off the neck for a few minutes certainly isn't going to hurt it.

[Bludave]

Re: Trapeze tailpieces, unsecured bridges and restringing...

Archtop style guitars have "F" holes. The point in the middle of the "F" hole is a guide to the intonation point. This will not be exact, but it should be close string gauge, actiona and a few other things may affect this. IF you remove all the strings what I usually do before hand is wrap the tailpiesce so it won't marr the finish. I also take an exacto and put a very minor score just at the tip of the bridge so I know where the bridge needs to go (this is optional some people would not want a scratch in the finish). Once you have done what you need to do with the strings off, put the two "E" strings on first, then move the bridge to the correct position to get the intonation at pitch then put the rest of the strings on. At this point you may have to adjust action and truss rod, but for the most part the trick is to put the two outside strings on first. Use those strings to set the intonation the rest will fall into place like any other set up.

[Zerberus]

Re: Trapeze tailpieces, unsecured bridges and restringing...

Just change the strings one at a time, and when all have been changed check the intonation of the Es, and slide the bridge a hair if needed. BTW don´t lift it on the side you´re sliding, because this runs the risk of the added pressure marring the finish on the other side.