Move bridge under tension?

[jazzpazz]

Hey, on my Joe pass emperor ii, im wondering if I can move the bridge with my hands under tension? As it has slipped and got the wrong angle (most likely during shipping) Or would I then need to detentision all the strings and move it a little, and then tension again. Wouldn't that make adjusting intonation a pain? Even tho it's only done the two e strings.

Ive seen some different guitar setup videos on YouTube where they move the bridge just with their hands under tuned tension. Ive tried a little with mine, and it dosent seem to budge. And im too scared to apply force

[ThatRhythmMan]

I do it under full tension all the time, and I’ve seen Steve Grimes do it to. There’s even a video on YouTube somewhere that shows him doing it to his Chinery guitar. I know some don’t like to though.


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[FourOnSix]

I do it under full tension all the time, and I’ve seen Steve Grimes do it to. There’s even a video on YouTube somewhere that shows him doing it to his Chinery guitar. I know some don’t like to though.


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I've seen that video of Steve Grimes moving the bridge of his Chinery guitar under full tension, but count me among those who don't like to do it. It requires too much force for comfort. I slack the strings at least partially.

[AllanAllen]

To set intonation, I tune the E strings to pitch but leave the others slack. Pretty easy to move it around then. I think there was a rig rundown with Brian Setzer’s tech who said that’s how he did it.

[sgosnell]

For me, it depends on why I'm moving it and how far it needs to move. If it's close to the right place, and it just needs an angle adjustment, I'll do it under tension. It can put some scratches in the finish of the top, but if it's a slight movement they will be covered by the bridge. Slacking and retightening strings lead to string breakage, usually at the wrong time. It does require some force to move the bridge, and sometimes I might loosen the strings a little bit, but almost never entirely. Too loose, and the bridge can easily move much too far. Any guitar adjustment or repair requires some judgement.

[ThatRhythmMan]

To set intonation, I tune the E strings to pitch but leave the others slack. Pretty easy to move it around then. I think there was a rig rundown with Brian Setzer’s tech who said that’s how he did it.

The issue with setting intonation with only those two strings under tension is that they will be slightly off once all of the strings are brought up to tension due a slight relative increase in relief brought on by the overall increase in tension on the neck. Intonation needs to be checked with all strings brought in tune.


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[ThatRhythmMan]

For me, it depends on why I'm moving it and how far it needs to move. If it's close to the right place, and it just needs an angle adjustment, I'll do it under tension. It can put some scratches in the finish of the top, but if it's a slight movement they will be covered by the bridge. Slacking and retightening strings lead to string breakage, usually at the wrong time. It does require some force to move the bridge, and sometimes I might loosen the strings a little bit, but almost never entirely. Too loose, and the bridge can easily move much too far. Any guitar adjustment or repair requires some judgement.

FWIW, I’ve never seen a properly fitted wooden bridge (without posts protruding from the underside of the base) scratch a cured finish.


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[Oscar67]

I prefer not to do it with full string pressure but as mentioned by others abobe, there are disadvantages to every approach. Personally I prefer to intonate the A and B strings under full tension, then bring up all the other strings and then check the result. It’s a hassle, but part of the archtop charm I guess.

[deacon Mark]

Take the tension off. The easy way is to get a machined ruler at least 2 feet long. Measure the scale length from nut to 12th fret. THen put straight edge on 12fret and put the e string the same distance as the 12th fret measurement you took first. Add 1/32 of and inch. Then on the bass E do the same thing but at 1/8 inch to distance. Set saddle at these points. That will get you very close and a tuner a ear will do the rest. You don't need strings on guitar tape bridge when you get it set.

[DanielleOM]

Think I had too much tension on the strings when I recently moved a bridge. I think moving with that tension put too much stress on the posts causing them to bend. I had loosened the strings but apparently not enough.

[sgosnell]

I don't move a bridge with the saddle, only the base. I use my thumbs against the bottom of the base, and let the strings slide over the saddle as they would do when tuning. But some care is always necessary, to insure that it all moves as it should.