Does anyone have experience with a Schaller 475 bridge?

[Birdman642]

I have a Squier bullet Mustang I acquired recently. I’m interested in changing the stock bridge to something a little higher quality and better designed. The Schaller 475 caught my attention and looked like something that might fit that bill. As I said in the title, does anyone have any experience with it, or perhaps other suggestions for the fixed top loading bridges?
Thanks

 

[uOpt]

I used these for a long time, but I developed concerns that the high mass is changing the sound. I went back to vintage style bridges.

As far as quality and string guidance is concerned this bridge is exceptional.

 

[Birdman642]

I used these for a long time, but I developed concerns that the high mass is changing the sound. I went back to vintage style bridges.

As far as quality and string guidance is concerned this bridge is exceptional.

did you ever have a problem with the strings popping out of the rollers? That’s really the only thing making me nervous about it

 

[ICTGoober]

As long as the breakover angle is more than 10 degrees or so, you should have no problems. I've used them for years, and advise you to set the string spacing you want with the rollers, then lock them down with a bit of nail polish on each side. It's easily removed with an Exacto blade or soften it with a drop of acetone to re-position the roller. Hard to go wrong with solid German engineering, but it is pricy.

 

[Birdman642]

Hard to go wrong with solid German engineering, but it is pricy.

That’s kind of what I was thinking. It’s also one of the only high quality bridges like that I can get domestically

 

[uOpt]

did you ever have a problem with the strings popping out of the rollers? That’s really the only thing making me nervous about it

Hmmm, I don't recall. I think you can knock the low E string off the roller, but I don't think it was a problem with regular playing.

 

[GuitarDoc]

They are excellent. Never had a problem with strings coming off the rollers. Great for adjusting string spacing at the bridge. A bit expensive but superior quality.

 

[Birdman642]

Does anyone know the highest string gauge it will accept? I know with the rollers it’s limited to a certain size. I was planning on using an 11-52 set and putting it in Drop C/D standard

 

[uOpt]

Does anyone know the highest string gauge it will accept? I know with the rollers it’s limited to a certain size. I was planning on using an 11-52 set and putting it in Drop C/D standard

I definitely used 010-052 with this bridge.

 

[Artie]

Is the 475 this one? It's what comes up in a Google search. If so, I've had one for years on a Peavey Patriot. I'm not sure how much it improved the tone, but it certainly made setup and intonation easier.

 

[Birdman642]

Is the 475 this one?

Yep, that’s it. From my searches, it appears to be the highest quality top loading hard tail I can find, without having to import from England

 

[Mincer]

That is a nice lookin' bridge. I know Kahler used to make a top loading hard tail, too.

 

[Birdman642]

That is a nice lookin' bridge. I know Kahler used to make a top loading hard tail, too.

I think they still do. The Schaller is tempting to me because it doesn’t require any rear routing

 

[Artie]

The Schaller is tempting to me because it doesn't require any rear routing

Yup.

 

[Jeffblue]

Many of my builds have the Schaller 475 bridges and they are excellent.

 

[Jeffblue]

These are all of my guitar builds utilizing a Schaller 475.

 

[Birdman642]

These are all of my guitar builds utilizing a Schaller 475.

Those are some beauties!

 

[Jeffblue]

Those are some beauties!

Thank you. They sound excellent.

 

[GuitarDoc]

I routinely use 10-52 strings and have never had a problem.