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ABR straightening

Ulli

Member
Joined
Jun 9, 2011
Messages
432
Hi,

this may have been asked before, if so- my apologies!

I have a nickel ABR bridge (I believe it's an early 60s btw) which is slightly bent. I can still use it, but I would like to straighten it. Can anyone give some advice?
I thought about using a vise and some rubber to protect the material, any experiences ?


Thanks,

Ulli


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58burst

Active member
Joined
May 11, 2002
Messages
2,176
I have done this successfully with the bridge on my '58.

A vise and three dowels is what I used, position the dowels with two on the ends on one side and one in the center (bent in side) to apply pressure, and go gently & slowly.

I suppose the danger is cracking/fatiguing the metal, it worked fine on mine and has held up the last 20 years- I suppose it's more iffy the more you need to bend it to straighten...
 

mosquito3

New member
Joined
Feb 21, 2016
Messages
4
Hi!
Sorry to bump this old thread but I hope there are some expert here willing to give me some further advice.
I own a vintage nickel no wire ABR-1 that is slightly bent. Actually it is not a big problem, as I said it's just slightly bowed but it's perfectly functional and do not gives trouble such as buzzing on middle strings, etc.
That said, I would like to streighten it back to it's original shape.
The procedure is clear (thank you 58burst) , what I did not understand is timing. How much it will take to complete the procedure? I have to apply pressure slowly, but how much slowly? 5 minutes? An hour? And as soon as it is completely straight am I done? Or I should leave the bridge in the vise under pressure for some hours / days?
 
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boogieongtr

Active member
Joined
May 16, 2006
Messages
937
I made a jig to straighten out the collapsed ABR1 bridges. Take a block of wood and radius it to the correct arc of the bottom side of the ABR1. Bore holes where the posts would go thru the bridge then take a washer and a screw to each side. I also take a heat gun and warm the bridge so it doesn't crack. Go slow and then leave it set for 24 hours. Problem solved.

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mosquito3

New member
Joined
Feb 21, 2016
Messages
4
Wow, you made your own tool for straightening bridges, that's cool man, congrats.
Maybe a little more complicated than the method described by 58burst, but I'll take into account to build one of those.
Thank you!
 

JIMI55LP

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 28, 2005
Messages
1,588
Very nice jig! This guy really knows his way around vintage parts!
 

Wilko

All Access/Backstage Pass
Joined
Mar 11, 2002
Messages
20,853
You know it's right when the top is flat. I just lay 'em face down on my arbor press with material to protect the finish. Press flat and voila. Done.
 

58burst

Active member
Joined
May 11, 2002
Messages
2,176
Yeah, I did mine all in one pop, just slowly applied pressure over about a minute or so, checking the straightness, and it was done.
 

Capt Brad

Member
Joined
Aug 29, 2016
Messages
129
You know it's right when the top is flat. I just lay 'em face down on my arbor press with material to protect the finish. Press flat and voila. Done.

Wood 2 dimes a nickel and a clamp is what's works for me.

Place dimes on wood spaced equal legth of bridge. place bridge upside down a place a nickel in the center.
clamp wood to nickel and slowly tighten till bridge is just a bit past the dime hight.
This allows for flex. you have to go past flat to get them to be flat when you are done!
 
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