Tailpiece Creep

[kanegon]

I noticed that the tailpiece bushings on my 93 Studio had crept up about 1/8 inch -- out of the hole. Oddly enough, I've never noticed a tuning issue with this instrument. Anyway, I loosened the strings and gently tapped the studs and the bushings back in place (no pressure needed) thinking it had been an easy fix. NOW, it definitely won't stay in tune. The holes are snug, but not tight enough to hold the bushings in place.

Could I just stick a little epoxy between the bushing and the wood and call it a day? This is a stupid pain in the ass problem. Admittedly, "slamming" the tailpiece to the lowest position may have exacerbated/caused the problem. Anyone else deal with this?

[atquinn]

Wow, I've never heard of such a problem. I'll be looking forward to hearing the answer in case this ever happens to one of my TOM guits.

-Austin

[Steve Haynie]

Is there a chance that someone changed hardware at some point in the Special's history? It could be that someone put in a part with a slightly smaller diameter.

[kanegon]

No, it's the stock Gotoh as far as I can tell. The hole is snug - the grooves match. I think it may have had heavier strings at one point, but it's probably me over-tightening the stud that caused this. A few of the strings were touching the back of the bridge but it didn't affect the sound. I know my problem bridges - I've got a Jazzmaster and couple of wraparound gits that have involved some fussing. Yet, on my P90Spec, the TP stud is all the way down with no issues or unusual tug.

Glue was suggested over at TGP, so maybe some Tite-Bond. Can't believe no one else's had this issue. The last time this happened, it was a custom 12 string with a honkin' brass tailpiece I cast in art school. The luthier (Tucker Barrett in VT) used some kind of glue. There was a ton of pressure on that stud -- with me tuning the 12-string standard (10/10 on high E!), rather than the customary 1 step down.