Andy40's first build - ST-1

[Andy40]

Piccy of the Wilkinson 5 + 1



Apparently one hole is to locate the vibrato laterally whilst the remaining 5 elongated slots eliminate the chance of screws binding in the holes, resulting in a "return to original position". It has a sweet push-in vibrato arm, vintage spec bent steel saddles, and "stagger drilled" steel block. The Vibrato arm is a little smaller as well, which should make those Gilmour style palm dips a bit easier.Oh ...and it doesn't rattle in the slot



A bit unsure about the saddles though, they don't seem to have any string guides?

[pablopepper]

Sweet looking bridge. The saddles really don't need slots, less chance of a string breaking burr. String tension will easily keep them in place.

Oh, and tru oil won't work on top of paint.

[andrewdosborne]

Nice upgrade plans Andy. As a matter of interest how does the trem block block sit in the body, does it stay within the confines of the back trem route or would it stand a bit proud with the springs attached?

Reason I ask is I attempted an update once on a non PBG body with a Gotoh trem and had an issue with this.

[wokkaboy]

wow that bridge is huge compared to the stock bridge. As Ponch asks you may need some mods for the trem block route being so much bigger. Also the pickguard is going to need fair bit of reshaping and shift the mounting screws for the PG.
Never seen no string grooves in the bridge saddles but as Pabs says I think string tension should hold them in place and less chance of string breaks and think the tremelo will have a smoother action with the less friction.
Should play and sound heaps better after the upgrades !
EDIT after looking at the 2 bridges I think the string spacing on the new bridge will be way too wide for the fingerboard. You really need to match the E to E string saddle dimensions and the new bridge looks almost 20mm wider, plus your outside strings won't be over the pup slugs

[Andy40]

Hey thanks guys for the comments!

I should point out something though, the photo is with with the PBG bridge in the guitar and the trem block of the Wilkinson sitting on top of the guitar, closer to the camera, the perspective makes it look really big compared to the PBG. Its actually about the same size, width and length as the PBG. Sorry ponch, don't know how it will sit in the rout until its done. I'll post an update though.

Cheers pabs re: sting guide issue, I can see that now.

Is that true ...about tru oil? the nitro is nearly a year old, I can't imagine it needs to gas off any more. I was only looking at tru oil because I didn't do the best job with the nitro clear coats and was hoping to give it a better finish, and cheaper than using nitro again. Anyone know what i should do? Poly?

[wokkaboy]

ah of course Andy its the optical illusion the Wilko bridge is closer, didn't think of the trem block making it closer to the camera, it really looks like its on steroids compared to the PBG bridge.
I'm not sure about TO over nitro, maybe do a test on an area under the pickguard to see if it takes ok. Once you build up a couple of layers of TO shouldn't be any issues.

[Andy40]

Stripped her down today and compared the tremolo....



The width and length of the bridge portion are about the same as PBG, but the block is much fatter heavier and longer.


That being said it fits in the standard PBG rout for the ST-1 pretty well. theres about 1 mm or so between the bottom of the block and the back plate, which is more than enough room to clip the tremolo springs.



That being said if your back plate was recessed, you would have problems with the Wilkinson 5+1 tremolo.

[wokkaboy]

nice one Andy looks like you won't need to mod the cavity, pickguard and maybe even bridge plate mounting screws ?
The heavier trem block should feel better using the tremelo. Forgot this had Pure Vintage TR's onboard !

[Andy40]

Plastics out, MOP in!

Nitro is out!

!

[Andy40]

Pesky broken screw from a year ago is finally out, plug is in!