Stripped ABR-1 Bridge studs

[cynic]

I have an SG with ABR-1 style bridge and the studs aren't so loose they're falling out, but are loose enough that they allow the bridge to lean forward at maybe 10-15 degrees. They still have to be screwed in and out, so there's some thread. Previous owner had it set up high for slide with the tailpiece bottomed out so it had a pretty steep break angle over the bridge it didn't deal with very well.

Will this likely need to be drilled and plugged for the studs to be reset, or might a little steam expand the wood back out, then adding a little glue to soak into the wood for added rigidity be enough?

They're inserted 5/8" with the entire length being about 1.25". How about all of the above but also using 1.5" studs?

Too big a problem to fix at home? Otherwise it's in really good shape and looks to be around quite awhile, so throwing a little money at it is reasonable.

TIA for any/all advice.

Edited to add the posts are not bent at all like happens sometimes, it's 100% a wood problem.

[murkat]

Been there, done that

Have a drill press?

Drill out holes, fill and glue holes with mahogany oversized tooth picks.

Re drill out. You can go to an Ace hardware and get a new pair of

screw posts of the same in stainless steal, but a little longer and re insert.

Does wonderful sonic things

Or, bring it over and will do it for ya

[BCR Greg]

OR.................

Remove the posts, blow out any debris in the holes with canned air(close your eyes) and drip water thin crazy glue(I use Hotshot SuperT, available at hobby shops) into the holes. It doesn't take much, a few drops and then let it dry a few minutes. Do it again and let it sit for an hour. The waterthin plumps up the wood fibers and they stay that way.

Reinstall the posts and you are in!

[cynic]

Very cool, thanks for the direction guys!

[tbonesullivan]

ugh. previous owner doesn't sound super bright. probably should have gotten longer studs rather than having them be half in the hole. Also, I was pretty sure that on ABR-1s you never want the strings resting on the bridge... right?

[murkat]

for the most part, that is correct.

But, that does not rule out that the posts were not installed correctly as well.

Many times in tenor at the GCS, I had rebuilds with posts installed not straight up.

[cynic]

The strings weren't touching the bridge itself, only the saddles. You can see the difference in the photo's below. You can also see the saddles that were adjusted trying to compensate, but it wasn't possible. With strings the lean is even more pronounced.

I plan to look for new (longer) studs this afternoon on my way home, and there is some wiggle room on the bridge that might allow a larger size, but that would mean also enlarging/threading the thumb wheel hole.

[murkat]

You can get threaded stainless screws at Ace hardware, bring the thumb wheels to check correct threading.

Also, another set of thumb wheels flushed to body will add stability to those new posts, as well as

inserting threaded screws via hex screw into the bridge like a tone pro's abr to lock it in to place on the posts.

Been there done that many times.

J

[Feynman]

OR...wait, I've got nothing.

[Armitage]

You could always change to a Nashvile... but I'd try BCR Greg's advice first... he knows the wood stuff!