Lots of build questions...

[Bg]

Leave it off if it doesn't stick out, thats going to be the easiest solution. I doubt it'll matter, try it nothing to lose! 10mm is a load to take off the block though, I wouldn't think about that. Think I've done about 5mm in the past.

[Bg]

I've got a different two point wilkinson on a strat body here, it had 6 hole bridge. I'll take a pic to show you how it lines up tomorrow if you're worried about that.

[Les_Paul86]

Leave it off if it doesn't stick out, thats going to be the easiest solution. I doubt it'll matter, try it nothing to lose! 10mm is a load to take off the block though, I wouldn't think about that. Think I've done about 5mm in the past.

It’s going to stick out. Probably about 3-5mm?
I’m just worried about dampening the sound if it’s resting on me.

The alternate is to put this bridge in my other strat which is thick enough and put a vintage style bridge on this.

[Les_Paul86]

bugger thats different to the two post wilkinsons I've used before... You might be able to hacksaw some of the top of the block where it attaches to the bridge. How much do you need to take off? You might need to chop the screws the same amount

Unsure how much. Maybe 10mm at most.

Would you not recommend just not having a cover on?

Leaving the cover off is fine. I think he was just pointing-out that it might not be possible due to a lack of clearance. First thing I do with a Strat is remove the trem cover. Easier to change strings and easy tweaking as req.

Yeah, I would usually too but this one is going to stick out from the back of the body by 3-5mm probably. That’s what I’m worried about. I might dampen the sound if it’s up against me?

[Molly]

Unsure how much. Maybe 10mm at most.

Would you not recommend just not having a cover on?

Leaving the cover off is fine. I think he was just pointing-out that it might not be possible due to a lack of clearance. First thing I do with a Strat is remove the trem cover. Easier to change strings and easy tweaking as req.

Yeah, I would usually too but this one is going to stick out from the back of the body by 3-5mm probably. That’s what I’m worried about. I might dampen the sound if it’s up against me?

No but the tuning will be all over the place if the trem's making contact with your body whilst you're playing. Just shave it down then maybe.

Partscasters often run into such problems. Things are never quite as interchangeable as we hope they'll be.

[Les_Paul86]

So, I’m probably going to put this bridge in my other strat because of how deep the block is.

However, the 6 screw holes are gonna look crap if they’re showing. Pictures below for reference.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but going off the install instructions, this bridge can be installed with 6 screws instead of the 2 point which would require drilling?
I don’t have the screws required and only have the 2 point with inserts, but can probably find something suitable.

Amiright?

[Slowy]

However, the 6 screw holes are gonna look crap if they’re showing. Pictures below for reference.

Why not fill them and overspray the area? be easy to hide with everything going on there.

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20200518_214850.jpg (3.03 MiB) Viewed 6774 times

I never bothered, less noticeable with this style, but its got plenty of dings, a few old holes doesn't really matter

[Les_Paul86]

I’m more worried about making holes that I can’t reverse. If I just use 6 screws instead of the 2 point like BG’s I don’t have to worry about it?
But... can I do that?

[jeremyb]

a few old holes doesn't really matter

Words to live by.

[Lostininverness]

I’m more worried about making holes that I can’t reverse. If I just use 6 screws instead of the 2 point like BG’s I don’t have to worry about it?
But... can I do that?

I don't want to be a downer, but if I were you, I'd keep that bridge for another project or pass onto someone else and get a 6-screw bridge with the right hole spacing. Worse case maybe that you have to plug and drill if the body has some weird spacing, but at least you have the line where the screws need to go marked out already. It would mean shelling out $60-$100 (NZ guitar parts has some reasonable bridges), but at least you'd be sure it would play well.

If you're anything like me and when shit goes wrong with projects like this you question your sanity, then I'd go for a bridge that doesn't require a bodge job (no offense BG) to get it to work.

Good luck!

[Bg]

I’m more worried about making holes that I can’t reverse. If I just use 6 screws instead of the 2 point like BG’s I don’t have to worry about it?
But... can I do that?

I don't want to be a downer, but if I were you, I'd keep that bridge for another project or pass onto someone else and get a 6-screw bridge with the right hole spacing. Worse case maybe that you have to plug and drill if the body has some weird spacing, but at least you have the line where the screws need to go marked out already. It would mean shelling out $60-$100 (NZ guitar parts has some reasonable bridges), but at least you'd be sure it would play well.

If you're anything like me and when shit goes wrong with projects like this you question your sanity, then I'd go for a bridge that doesn't require a bodge job (no offense BG) to get it to work.

Good luck!

Yes and no, lots of early strats were fitted with floyds back in the 80's. Actual fitting of a bridge is a minor job - not a bodge job. Its a partscaster, plug and redrill.

I'd go 2 point everytime over 6 screws, if you were ever going to use it.

However the knife edges on that bridge look pretty hammered anyway.

[Lostininverness]

Yes and no, lots of early strats were fitted with floyds back in the 80's. Actual fitting of a bridge is a minor job - not a bodge job. Its a partscaster, plug and redrill.

I'd go 2 point everytime over 6 screws, if you were ever going to use it.

However the knife edges on that bridge look pretty hammered anyway.

Oh, I agree with you that its a minor job, one of my first hacks was to fill a 6 hole bridge and drill for a 2 point as well (also filled the neck pick up route and covered it with veneer which was fine till I stained it and it wrinkled.....learning experience, now its sitting gathering dust). But the OP seems concerned about drilling holes and making a mistake that I can relate too, also something about the holes looking shite. It would be a shame if it went wrong, didn't play well, and hopes and dreams were dashed. Personally, I'd just drill the body (JB...) and see how it goes!

And yeah, looks like the bridge posts weren't in the right spot and the knife edges have worn in an odd spot.

[Les_Paul86]

Yes and no, lots of early strats were fitted with floyds back in the 80's. Actual fitting of a bridge is a minor job - not a bodge job. Its a partscaster, plug and redrill.

I'd go 2 point everytime over 6 screws, if you were ever going to use it.

However the knife edges on that bridge look pretty hammered anyway.

Oh, I agree with you that its a minor job, one of my first hacks was to fill a 6 hole bridge and drill for a 2 point as well (also filled the neck pick up route and covered it with veneer which was fine till I stained it and it wrinkled.....learning experience, now its sitting gathering dust). But the OP seems concerned about drilling holes and making a mistake that I can relate too, also something about the holes looking shite. It would be a shame if it went wrong, didn't play well, and hopes and dreams were dashed. Personally, I'd just drill the body (JB...) and see how it goes!

And yeah, looks like the bridge posts weren't in the right spot and the knife edges have worn in an odd spot.

Thanks gents. Think i'll just put an old MIM bridge on this project, probably suits it more anyway.

The wilkinson should go in my other strat but again, holes will be needed to change for a 2 point and i'm fairly precocious about that guitar. So the dilemma will surface again lol.

[Bg]

Yes and no, lots of early strats were fitted with floyds back in the 80's. Actual fitting of a bridge is a minor job - not a bodge job. Its a partscaster, plug and redrill.

I'd go 2 point everytime over 6 screws, if you were ever going to use it.

However the knife edges on that bridge look pretty hammered anyway.

Oh, I agree with you that its a minor job, one of my first hacks was to fill a 6 hole bridge and drill for a 2 point as well (also filled the neck pick up route and covered it with veneer which was fine till I stained it and it wrinkled.....learning experience, now its sitting gathering dust). But the OP seems concerned about drilling holes and making a mistake that I can relate too, also something about the holes looking shite. It would be a shame if it went wrong, didn't play well, and hopes and dreams were dashed. Personally, I'd just drill the body (JB...) and see how it goes!

And yeah, looks like the bridge posts weren't in the right spot and the knife edges have worn in an odd spot.

Thanks gents. Think i'll just put an old MIM bridge on this project, probably suits it more anyway.

The wilkinson should go in my other strat but again, holes will be needed to change for a 2 point and i'm fairly precocious about that guitar. So the dilemma will surface again lol.

Honestly, I'd not put that bridge on any of my guitars, it's pretty much fucked for two point. I don't know about 6 screws, it might work.