Robert Manning Posted December 22, 2022 Share Posted December 22, 2022 Hey guys! so I picked up a MusicMan Sterling (USA) a while ago in a trade. Lovely thing; although I’ve not really touched it for a while, recently I thought to give it a nice set up… until, to my horror I realised the previous owner has glued the bridge saddles with permanent thread locker. I think it’s permanent Thread locker as there are remnants on a browny red marks around the saddles. but man, can’t adjust those saddles at all - how sad. I’ve tried bathing them in acetone over night. I tried heating them with a heat gun to see if that breaks down the adhesive all in vain . anyone got any ideas? looks like you cannot order replacements to the UK. And I’m not sure if an aftermarket set of saddles would work. I feel like Ryan Gosling in the Papyrus SNL sketch. Just wondering to myself why they did this. Hahah. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted December 22, 2022 Share Posted December 22, 2022 "To remove high strength Loctite thread locker you will need heat, up to 250° C. The heat will soften the thread locker, allowing the bolt to come loose. The bolt will not be damaged. A bolt fixed with medium strength thread locker (such as Loctite 243) can usually be removed with hand tools." and "Apply heat to the head of the fastener. Warm it up for 3-4 minutes while simultaneously using the wrench to slacken the fastener. The heat will soften the thermoset plastic of the threadlocker. If the fastener begins to loosen up, apply more heat and keep working the wrench side-by-side" Assuming the saddles can be removed from the bridge you might try heating them up in the oven (you need a Spinal Tap oven that goes to 11), or gas torch, cooker gas flame, large soldering iron, lighter?. When hot grab the saddle with mole grips and try to wind the adjuster screws out. It may take several goes as the saddle cools down and the thread lock hardens again. The saddles look like 'standard' BBOT saddles which will hopefully make replacement cheap if this is required. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Manning Posted December 22, 2022 Author Share Posted December 22, 2022 Ah yes that’s a good idea. My oven does actually actually 250. Maybe I’ll hook my Darkglass OD to the oven might help me get to 11. thanks man. This gives me hope. I’ll give it another go tonight!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted December 22, 2022 Share Posted December 22, 2022 4 minutes ago, Robert Manning said: Ah yes that’s a good idea. My oven does actually actually 250. Maybe I’ll hook my Darkglass OD to the oven might help me get to 11. thanks man. This gives me hope. I’ll give it another go tonight!! I accept no responsibility for any domestic consequences of using the oven for bass fixing 🥺 Good luck! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tegs07 Posted December 22, 2022 Share Posted December 22, 2022 Have you tried https://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/parts-c4/bridge-parts-c685 They used to stock/order MusicMan bridges/parts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingBollock Posted December 22, 2022 Share Posted December 22, 2022 I would recommend using a jet style lighter. You can get ones for cigarettes or for kitchens or bendy ones for lighting camp stoves. I probably wouldn’t try it with the saddles installed, though. I did once have trouble with the height adjustment screws in Steinberger, headless bridge saddles. In the end I had to drill them out. I think I got replacements by looking for M3 hex screws, in the desired length, on Amazon. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Manning Posted December 22, 2022 Author Share Posted December 22, 2022 Alright so after trying all the above the blow torch worked! well all apart from one saddle left over which has been stripped, so there’s was not enough leverage to free it from its gluey home. 😂 only managed to burn myself once, too!! Thanks so much guys. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Manning Posted December 22, 2022 Author Share Posted December 22, 2022 5 hours ago, tegs07 said: Have you tried https://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/parts-c4/bridge-parts-c685 They used to stock/order MusicMan bridges/parts? Cheers! I don’t see any in there, but I’ll send them an email. You never know! thanks man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted December 22, 2022 Share Posted December 22, 2022 By 'stripped' do you mean that the Allen key hexagon has rounded out? |If so, Is there enough thread sticking out at the other end to grip onto with a second set of pliers or cutters - you might get lucky. If not,measure the saddle (width, diameter, groove position), someone in the BC collective will have a spare one, I might have something suitable which you can have free gratis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulThePlug Posted December 22, 2022 Share Posted December 22, 2022 New screws... A2 Stainless from Spaldings Fasteners on the bay... i usually get Dog Point. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted December 22, 2022 Share Posted December 22, 2022 I might have some spares that could be of use. Pm'd 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Manning Posted December 22, 2022 Author Share Posted December 22, 2022 Yeah proper stripped. I think a combination of sweat/oxidation etc and the extreme heat it just crumbled. I tried to use some pliers but there’s not enough to get a grip on. thankfully it’s enough of a stump to the point that it’s how I would have my action so I flipped the saddles around the bass is now playable. I was thinking; I have a Dremel drill and so tiny mettle drill bits - wondering if I could drill through it and masticate the screw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pineweasel Posted December 23, 2022 Share Posted December 23, 2022 I bought spares for my Stingray bridge from https://www.stringsandthings.co.uk/ a few years ago. They were the UK distributor for EBMM at the time. Worth an email? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted December 24, 2022 Share Posted December 24, 2022 It looks like there is sufficient thread sticking out to be able to file / hacksaw a slot in. This might give enough purchase with a flat head screwdriver. Just wondering how much thread is on the other side - enough to grip with pliers? If so heat as before, wind it out and replace with a new one. I have spares, or you could get something from *bay or a local nut/bolt company. Usually friendly fastener companies will give you one free 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Random Guitarist Posted December 24, 2022 Share Posted December 24, 2022 I'd be cautious of the drilling out process unless you have a pillar drill and a vice to hold the saddle. Small drill bits snap easily and have a habit of leaving a piece of of their hard un-drillable selves in place. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralf1e Posted January 3, 2023 Share Posted January 3, 2023 On 24/12/2022 at 12:10, 3below said: It looks like there is sufficient thread sticking out to be able to file / hacksaw a slot in. This might give enough purchase with a flat head screwdriver. Just wondering how much thread is on the other side - enough to grip with pliers? If so heat as before, wind it out and replace with a new one. I have spares, or you could get something from *bay or a local nut/bolt company. Usually friendly fastener companies will give you one free Yes hacksaw looks like the way to go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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