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Bridge is jacked after string change (lemmy.ca)
submitted 3 years ago by to c/guitars@lemmy.world
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I changed the strings on my Jackson Dinky JS11. Normally I use light gauge, but this time I went with medium. After tuning it and noticing the difference in thickness, the bridge is on a sharp angle, and the whammy bar couldn't even swivel past the volume knob.

I tried loosening the two bridge screws which helped a bit and raised it to be less sharp of an angle, but it also raised the action considerably. At least the whammy bar can swivel freely. But the amount I can "wham" seems less than before, too. (Pictures are after this adjustment)

Is there a way to get the back end of the bridge downward so it is more "even"? That would reduce some of the action and give me more whammy room?

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[–] 0 points 3 years ago (4 children)

Thicker strings mean higher tension, so you actually want to tighten the claw screws on the guitar's back in order to pull the bridge back down.

What do you mean by "I tried loosening the two bridge screws"? Could you clarify?

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  • [–] [S] 0 points 3 years ago (3 children)

    I figured it was the strings causing it. Here's a pic of the bridge screws I'm referring to. Thanks

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  • [–] 0 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    Those aren't the screws you need to tighten! You need to flip the guitar over, take the back plate off, and adjust the screws in the cavity. You should only adjust those with the string tension off. Send us a picture before you do anything.

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  • [–] [S] 1 point 3 years ago*

    Youtube told me they were, but yeah I agree they aren't correct for my problem. PS I loosened them because after putting on the new strings and tuning, the bridge was sharply pointed downward toward the pickups, almost digging into the body.

    I did take off the back plate and tightened the two screws attached to the spring mechanism, as tight as they would go without stripping. That didn't make too much of a difference unfortunately.

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    • [–] 0 points 3 years ago (3 children)

    You need to rebalance your spring tension in the rear recess. Or just go back to the same gauge you had before.

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  • [–] [S] 0 points 3 years ago (2 children)

    I've just tried opening it up and tightening the screws attached to the spring mechanism to get it to pull back more. I don't see a noticeable difference on the bridge angle, though.

    Sounds like this JS11 might not be designed to handle the higher gauge?

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  • [–] 0 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    I'd recommend going back to the previous gauge or getting it set up at a shop then. I don't feel comfortable recommending you cranking on the string retainer screws any more if you're not comfortable with it.

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