L1000 bridge

[jumpinin]

Hi all,

I just registered for this forum. I recently acquired a fretless 1981 L1K (my second G&L) and I noticed the bridge only has the two outside screws attaching it to the body. Is this a modification anyone out there is aware of? Could someone save me the trouble of removing a screw and taking it to the store to get two matching ones by telling me the dimensions I need?

Thanks,
Cheers

[jumpinin]

I don't have the bass in front of me but I should clarify, there are two screws on the outside rim of the bridge but only two of the four screws beneath the saddles are present.

[Ken Baker]

Hi all,

I just registered for this forum. I recently acquired a fretless 1981 L1K (my second G&L) and I noticed the bridge only has the two outside screws attaching it to the body. Is this a modification anyone out there is aware of? Could someone save me the trouble of removing a screw and taking it to the store to get two matching ones by telling me the dimensions I need?

I don't have the bass in front of me but I should clarify, there are two screws on the outside rim of the bridge but only two of the four screws beneath the saddles are present.

Welcome aboard!

I'd love to save you the trouble, but you really ought to do this the old fashioned way. Besides, it'll keep the guys working at the hardware store busy for a couple minutes. I believe the screws are #8 flatheads, but I do not know the length. As to finish, chrome would be your first choice and stainless steel would be second.

I'd recommend detuning the strings until you know that you have all the screws in place and they're secure.

Ken...

[jumpinin]

Thanks man! I'll let you know how it goes.

[deltafred]

Ken

Are the outer 2 screws the same length as the inner 4? The outers could be longer as the bridge is a lot thicker there.

jumpinin

I have only my L2k Tribute to go on but I suspect they will be very similar. They inners are metric, 3 X 30mm, with an 'Oval' head, countersunk with a slightly domed top. In imperial that would be 6 gauge, 1" or 1.25", not sure which. They are fully threaded with no plain shank.

fred

[Ken Baker]

Ken

Are the outer 2 screws the same length as the inner 4? The outers could be longer as the bridge is a lot thicker there.

No. They are of different size & style. The inside 4 (or 5) are flathead, though ovalhead should work. The outer 2 are trusshead, kind of a squared off shape.

Ken...

[jumpinin]

This bass is third hand (atleast) and has some modifications (specifically an added bridge jazz pickup) so I may not have the original bridge hardware but the screws on my bass were identical - six #8 1.25" screws. That may in fact explain why there were only two screws under the saddles - a previous owner may have lost the two outer screws and made due by moving two screws. It didn't look like the bridge had ever been removed because it seemed to take some finish with it when it can off. My attempt to fix the bridge ground wire doesn't seem to have done much but I'll take another stab at that when I dress the neck. I measured the fingerboard radius this morning and ordered a sanding block from StewMac so that's my next job. It really is an incredible instrument. It's my first fretless (although I've been playing upright for almost 20 yrs) and my second G&L (the other is a Tribute L2500). After barely playing electric for the past 15 yrs it's quickly becoming my favorite instrument.

Pictures to follow