Tune-O-Matic bridge placement tip when self-drilling holes

[Jim Roberts]

Hi, would this method work for the JB-4 bridge? I really want to get this right.
thanks,
Jim

[Simon Barden]

Hi, would this method work for the JB-4 bridge? I really want to get this right.
thanks,
Jim

Hi, Jim. It might be made to work as you can get 4-string bass trapeze bridges, but it would depend on the bridge construction and the height of the saddles. You'd need enough saddle height so that the strings cleared the rear lip of the bridge. But it's probably overkill for a Fender-style bass bridge. The normal trick of running normal string through the E and G string holes is good enough to get the bridge placed centrally, and measuring the scale length to the G string saddle with the saddle wound to within 5mm of the end of the adjustment screw will sort out the fore/aft positioning.

The positioning on a Tune-O-Matic bridge, because of the angle of install and the relatively small intonation adjustment available on it is nothing like as easy to locate correctly. Most PBG kits already have the T-O-M posts drilled beforehand, but there are now a couple of kits without any pre-drilling (though Tune-O-Matic bridges are not the only option here), and there are always custom kit options where you don't want pre-drilled holes as you want to fit your own hardware with a different hole diameter requirement to the standard kit bridge.