Members ILikeGuitar Posted October 30, 2010 Members Share Posted October 30, 2010 A few of the height adjustment screws on my strat's saddles are stripped and not really turning with the allen wrench. Is there a way to get those things turning again, or do I need new saddles? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Flatspotter Posted October 30, 2010 Members Share Posted October 30, 2010 You can get new saddles, but if you want to keep the ones you have, you can replace the screws. To get them out, remove the saddle from the bridge, and if they're not rusted in place, you could grab them with a pair of pliers and unscrew them out from the bottom. If they're rusted in place, put some Liquid Wrench or WD-40 on them and let it soak for an hour, then use the pliers (or vise grips). If you're replacing the screws, it doesn't matter if you chew up the threads with the pliers. Take the screws to your local hardware store and find some the same size. If they don't have the right size, at least find out what diameter and pitch they are, and http://www.mcmaster.com/. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members katillac Posted October 30, 2010 Members Share Posted October 30, 2010 If they're stripped on the inside hex holes, you can just replace the screws. You also can replace them if it's the outer threads of the screws themselves that are stripped. Go by what Flatspotter said to remove them, then check the threading. If the saddle threads are stripped, then obviously those need to be swapped out. Best wishes to ya! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DaleH Posted October 30, 2010 Members Share Posted October 30, 2010 What is striped the saddle or srew? If it is the srew buy new ones. If it's the saddle you would most likely get new srews with new saddles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ashtray Posted October 30, 2010 Members Share Posted October 30, 2010 Loosen the string, flip the saddle over and turn the screw by hand. Also I bought a torx screwdriver (multi tip) and that works great in stripped out Allen heads. Seems to dig right in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dogfish Posted October 30, 2010 Members Share Posted October 30, 2010 And your local well-stocked instrument store might be able to help you. I removed one of the saddles (with the height adjustment screws where the allen-heads had been rounded out), took it to Mr. Music in Allston (Boston) MA, and they pulled out half-a-dozen little bags of different-sized (height, diameter) screws from Allparts. We tried them out until we found one that was right. Cost for a bag of screws is $2-4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Belva Posted October 30, 2010 Members Share Posted October 30, 2010 And your local well-stocked instrument store might be able to help you. I removed one of the saddles (with the height adjustment screws where the allen-heads had been rounded out), took it to Mr. Music in Allston (Boston) MA, and they pulled out half-a-dozen little bags of different-sized (height, diameter) screws from Allparts. We tried them out until we found one that was right. Cost for a bag of screws is $2-4. This is a good option. I know a guitar tech who is a big pack rat and probably has used saddles to match what you have. Ask around, never know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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