Wear at pivot points - life expectancy?

[BlackAngusYoung]

Not sure it this thread should be here or in the repair - Nuts & Bolts section.

I've noticed there is some wear on the two pivot points of my trem bridge. It's a used guitar so I can't really know how long it's been played or how vigorously. I'm hoping someone can look at these pics and let me know if this is a problem at all.


I believe the guitar is from the mid-'90s. Judging by the fretboard and general appearance, it doesn't look like it's been used very much at all. I like the rounded chrome and look of the bridge, so I'm hoping not to replace it any time soon.

(--check out of my Stones shirt--)
Is there any way to protect this to reduce further wear? Would it make much difference whether I use the trem or have it blocked? Also, would it make a difference between heavy use and occasional bluesy subtle vibrato?

[sydsbluesky]

Looks like decently significant wear.

Do you have any other problems using the whammy bar? It doesn't look like it works too smoothly.

Obviously using it less=less wear, but if you cant use it there ain't much point in havin' in around, right?

Nice chrome, though. Mirror finish!


I'm sure others will weigh in on this, but If it starts to give you problems with smoothness of operation or something else, it would be worth a shot to try to do some grinding and reforming of the contact points before going out and replacing it.

Have files?



EDIT: Mmhmm... I have a chrome FR sitting around with a bit of wear, and I just hit it with a very light filing with a round file. Looks great. The brass is showing through, but that's fine. It smoothed it right off. My wear wasn't as bad as yours, so your results may be different.

I still prefer the ZR wankers that Ibanez makes.

[sydsbluesky]

Oh, I see that that pivot plate detaches!

That looks like a possible solution to me.


What brand of bridge is this? Brand of guitar? Brand of underwear?

Wilkenson? Fernendez? Hanes?

[BlackAngusYoung]

It's a Sledgehammer, designed by J.B. Player. I can't find much info on it. I think my blue book says it was around $400 new. I can only find one vid on YouTube with this guitar, by a guy called frets99 who seems to have a million guitars and pieces of gear he demonstrates. I buy/sell used goods and decided to keep this one because it's the first Strat copy I've found (on the super-cheap, $60) that's solid, not plywood and I find it very comfortable to play.
And part of the reason I liked it was because the trem seemed (to me... who's unexperienced with a whammy bar) to work very well. I wouldn't guess anything was imperfect about it, until I removed it and noticed those wear spots. That's why I ask if this is even a problem, because I may just be being obsessive and perfectionistic. It's happened before.

Now, since deciding I liked the trem... I also decided I'd get into it later on and have had it blocked since then. I'm upgrading the guitar with locking/cutting tuners and Fender pickups... and I've found some cool videos of Mark Knopfler and others discussing vibrato use and set-up... so now's the time I want to get into it.

At least it does seem to be pretty even on both sides. I'll try filing it as you suggested and just start using it and monitor it to see if it gets worse. I believe you're correct about the pivot plate being detachable. Do you know if standard Fenders have a detachable plate as well? Maybe that part is something common I can replace even if the whole unit with the rounded edges and such is more specific to this guitar.

thanks, Syd.

Sears has a store clothing brand called Protocol. A lousy enough brand name... but amusing when printed around their underwear waistbands.
(I hope that's a satisfactory underwear joke response.)

[sydsbluesky]

Eehhhhh... well, I recommended doing this only if you were going to replace it as the next option.

I'd need a set worth an honorable mention to recommend taking a file to a wanker bridge that still works. Leaving it be until you begin to have issue is always my first choice.

If it ain't broke! Well, actually... that's never been the spirit of this site...

I rarely avoid playing with danger, but filing might only mean you'll get that "knife edge" for a while, but then, having exposed the metal, end up with damage that is just as significant shortly thereafter!

I'd leave it be unless it comes down to The Business.

The Business = crap+fan.

[BlackAngusYoung]

Ok, I like that plan. Thanks.
I guess my first instinct was to just pretend I didn't notice anything was wrong... as I'd bet most people actually wouldn't have noticed.

I just thought I'd ask because there might be some magic solution that extends the part's life that I wouldn't have guessed...
and I'd be saying "OH OF COURSE! I just put two coats of nail polish on the worn metal and wrap a tricycle handlebar streamer around the stud.... I can't believe I didn't think of that... it's so obvious...."

Just leaving well-enough alone works for me. I'll let ya know when it evolves into a shortscale.

[sydsbluesky]

Good stuff. Keep us updated.