Wilkinson bridge doesn't fit!

[ChickenFingers]

Whups, I have a yamaha strat copy that I'm pimping out, already installed a hot rails in the bridge and experimenting with a DZ fasttrack1 in the neck...now I ordered a 6 screw style wilkinson bridge for it, I did some measurements and the string spacing was the same as was the size of the bridge... but it doesn't fit! The screw holes are slightly more spaced out on the Wilk. then the stock bridge... Making the holes more elongated won't work, already looked at that (dammit, I could have swore I saw a Wilk. bridge with elongated holes, why didn't I get that one, although that might have had more to do with tremolo stability)

So, what should I do? leave it for a real strat project or is there any way I can make it work?

 

[Mr 9finger]

Re: Wilkinson bridge doesn't fit!

You can either save it for another project or plug the existing holes and redrill. If you're not comfy doing it on your own most techs should do it for around $60.

 

[ChickenFingers]

Re: Wilkinson bridge doesn't fit!

No chance I would waste $60, plus it's just a cheap guitar that plays nice and I'm trying to improve. I did a search, didn't find much on plugging holes, any links? Is it as easy as hammering dowels into the holes then trimming, sanding?

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Wilkinson bridge doesn't fit!

No chance I would waste $60, plus it's just a cheap guitar that plays nice and I'm trying to improve. I did a search, didn't find much on plugging holes, any links? Is it as easy as hammering dowels into the holes then trimming, sanding?

Essentially yes, but you´ll want to mark the exact height of the bridge mounting row where it is now, as well as find the centerline. Then you glue dowels in, trim them down, and redrill the new holes accordingly.

 

[Mr 9finger]

Re: Wilkinson bridge doesn't fit!

Essentially yes, but you´ll want to mark the exact height of the bridge mounting row where it is now, as well as find the centerline. Then you glue dowels in, trim them down, and redrill the new holes accordingly.

Zerb's right on the head on this but I'm going to add a couple of things that will potentially make your job a little easier.

Find your center line from the neck pocket all the way down to the bridge as well as finding just the centerline just at the bridge. Use a fine tip grease pencil or dry erase marker to make your lines. Preferabely a grease pen and keep your line as thin as possible.

Start your holes w/ a regular drill bit then switch over to a brad tip so your dowels sit flush. MAKE SURE YOU MEASURE THE DEPTH OF YOUR HOLES ON ANOTHER PC. OF WOOD BEFORE YOU DRILL W/ THE BRAD TIP BIT.

 

[TheArchitect]

Re: Wilkinson bridge doesn't fit!

Whups, I have a yamaha strat copy that I'm pimping out, already installed a hot rails in the bridge and experimenting with a DZ fasttrack1 in the neck...now I ordered a 6 screw style wilkinson bridge for it, I did some measurements and the string spacing was the same as was the size of the bridge... but it doesn't fit! The screw holes are slightly more spaced out on the Wilk. then the stock bridge... Making the holes more elongated won't work, already looked at that (dammit, I could have swore I saw a Wilk. bridge with elongated holes, why didn't I get that one, although that might have had more to do with tremolo stability)

So, what should I do? leave it for a real strat project or is there any way I can make it work?

Hipshot might make one