Gotoh bridge adjustment

[SICbass]

Hi All,

 

I am trying to set up the intonation on my SGC Nanyo SB502 and I am a little uncertain about which screws do what.

 

Am I right in thinking that screws A are some sort of locking screws? Screws B, just normal string-height adjustment, and screws C (see second pic) are to adjust string length?

 

Cheers,

Paul

 

 

[Hellzero]

You are quite right, but C is more commonly labelled "string spacing".

 

Beware that these Gotoh 206 (aka Pro) bridges are made out of a kind of fragile zamac alloy, so don't overtighten the screws, or it will break.

 

So first, slightly unscrew the A ... screw (again don't unscrew it too much or it will come out and you'll have to remove the bridge to put it back in place as the nut underneath is a moving part...), adjust your intonation (height with B and spacing with C, if needed) with the usual screw at the back of bridge.

 

Then tighten A again, that's it.

 

There was a thread here a few years ago:

 

 

 

Edited December 9, 2025 by Hellzero
Thread link added

[SICbass]

Excellent, thanks for that @Hellzero.

[Silky999]

+1 to not over-tighten the locking screws(A). I did that on one of mine on my 1989 Ibanez SR800LE and it fractured the saddle. Trying to find another new or used 206/omni-adjust bridge is near impossible so I had to repair using JB Weld. The only other viable option would be a bridge replacement for something more modern. Luckily the repair has held so far and I just leave well alone now.

[Steve Browning]

Interesting. I'd always thought of string spacing as the distance between each string, rather than the length of the string. 

[Geek99]

I’d agree, and I don’t see a lot of scope for lateral movement there 

[Hellzero]

9 hours ago, Geek99 said:

I’d agree, and I don’t see a lot of scope for lateral movement there 

There is around 2 mm of scope, just like on Hipshots and equivalent.

 

I had loads of basses with this bridge.

Edited December 9, 2025 by Hellzero

[Hellzero]

1 hour ago, Steve Browning said:

Interesting. I'd always thought of string spacing as the distance between each string, rather than the length of the string. 

The string spacing IS the distance between the strings and here too.

[Steve Browning]

6 hours ago, Hellzero said:

The string spacing IS the distance between the strings and here too.

 

I was looking on my phone, so missed the subtlety of the design. On my computer I can see that the screw on the front (C) allows for the the lateral movement of the part of the bridge over which the string passes. Fiendish! 🙂