1+ on Simon's post. Also good that TD brought up the low profile bridges:

Quote Originally Posted by Trevor Davies View Post
The important part is:
"I would have fitted a Lowrider bridge, which would have got around the problem..."
If you can find a lower bridge that could work, that might be best. Particularly one that will not break the bank.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...ridge&_sacat=0

If you can find a mustang bridge that might be ideal. I think they go about as low as anyone can with a TOM bridge, and they can be had relatively economically. A Gibson or Kluson "harmonica" bridge would also probably do the job...but represents a much more significant investment.

One thing I discovered (to my chagrin) on a bass project is that there are different post hole widths. If you buy a new bridge, you'll want to get something where you are pretty sure of the dimensions.

That said, even if you had to plug and re-drill, the new bridge will most likely cover your work so that it won't show. Both the Harmonica and the mustang bridges are wider than Gibson-style TOMs.

One other thing to consider is whether you can get your stop tailpiece low enough... I noticed that a place in Australia sells some low profile tailpices... https://luthiersupplies.com.au/eds-s...tar-tailpieces. Of course your plugs would show if you used one of these.