|
|
Joined:
December 2005
Posts: 111
| I picked up a Viper that's a bit of a beater. Thought I might tinker, learn, and go for a $25 or so profit, heh.
It's got the all-metal bridge/tailpiece. Went to set intonation, and found three of the saddles would not move outward to make strings longer. Instead, the screws just backed out further -- because the three screws are missing their retaining clips.
Any ideas on where to get clips of the right size and type? Or, anywhere with any clips?
BTW, I've been enjoying the red Preacher that I snagged during Superbowl. Set the intonation on it yesterday (my first time -- may have missed some of the finer points), and it sounds much better!
I intend to put up some pics, soon. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | edzep,
I had to read that one a bunch of times to finally get it. It is a small C-clip. Probably found at any "good" hardware store.
I had some pop out on my Viper but I was able to push the screw inward and it stuck.
Customer service may have a drawer full too.
Send me your Viper - I'll give it the "Treatment". :D |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2005
Posts: 111
| Heh, I could have been clearer.
Small is the word. I can't think of any hardware stores (especially in my area) that would have anything that small. Hmm... maybe a toy and model shop, like for R/C cars.
Before I had my hands on these, I thought I would like the all-metal bridge/tailpiece better than the older style. NOW, though, I see the old style is easier to intonate, and has tilt adjustment, and MAY (not sure cause I haven't taken one apart) not have clips prone to failure. And, they don't look bad when you get used to the black plastic piece.
I've seen your woodgrain wonders. Lovely pickgards and whole guitars. Maybe if a likely candidate comes my way. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2005
Posts: 111
| Hobby shopping online... I'm looking/guessing at size. About 1.5mm inside, and, if these will fit, 89 cents + $5 handling for 16 clips. A possiblility, while I continue pondering local sources.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJAG6&P=M#partsus... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 803
Location: Avondale, AZ | 
Does your prise preacher match this viper? Is this the bridge tailpiece you wanted on your viper? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 803
Location: Avondale, AZ | I guess the picture gallery doesn;t work yet. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 803
Location: Avondale, AZ | 
maybe this post does the trick? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2005
Posts: 111
| OLJ, the Viper is blonde with plenty of obvious deficiencies. It's been used and abused, yet is still in one piece, functional, complete and original, except for replaced tuning machines.
The Preacher is about as the auction listed; it has some dings -- a couple where you'd think it would be noticeble -- but, they really don't show. The metal parts are very clean. Frets and fretboard are perfect. It's a beauty, and I love to look at it. The color is wine red, I'd say. Seller got it from a music store where original owner traded it in. The story is that the Preacher was played in church on Sundays. Hmm...
I HAD liked the newer all metal bridge. My Preacher has the older plastic-capped bridge, which I have come to like. Regardless, I would not swap bridges on one that I wanted to retain value. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2003
Posts: 1498
Location: San Bernardino, California | These two schaller bridges use the same saddles and e-clips. They show up on eBay fairly often. I've paid as little as $9.00 for one.
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_tailpieces/Electric_guitar,_no...
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_tailpieces/Electric_guitar,_no... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2005
Posts: 111
| BruDeV, that's good to know, especially for saddles. Hoping the E-clips are generic enough to get cheaply.
Any other usefulness of these pieces? Doesn't look like either would substitute in an O, even with custom pickguard. How about the posts as replacements? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 208
Location: Illinois | Originally posted by edzep:
Heh, I could have been clearer.
Small is the word. I can't think of any hardware stores (especially in my area) that would have anything that small. Hmm... maybe a toy and model shop, like for R/C cars.
... You need to get out more, well at least to the hardware stores. Hardware Hank, True Value, Ace, HWI any decent and not so decent, hardware store has E / C clips, even the itty bitty ones. Remove either one un-retained screw and / or one of the non-lost e clips and take with you. Put in a zip-lock sandwich bag and DO NOT LOSE the screw. The bag keeps you from loosing it in the wad of change, keys and lint in the bottom of your pocket. There's a good chance the screw is special to Ovation, so DO NOT LOSE it.
The E-clips are in the aisle with the miscellaneous hardware. They have stacks and stacks of drawers the size of the average text book. Usually above or near the bulk screws. They have pictures of what's inside on the front. Pull out the drawer of e-clips and find your size. If you can't find it, ASK someone. These small stores have lots of help. When you find them, purchase at least 2 more than your immediate need. You're bound to lose one in the future. Also, while you're there, see if they have a copy of that little screw. If they do, get a couple of those to have on hand. Some stores have itty bitty zip lock bags to put these little ones in. Take advantage of that so you don't loose them in the bottom of your guitar case, as that is where you'll want to store them.
The big-box Home Improvement Centers, Lowes, Menards, Home Depot have this stuff too, but they don't have as many people to help, but you gotta find them. In MOST cases, small hardware stores have more of this type of item than the Big Box stores. Big Box stores like turn-over. Some of this stuff may sit in drawers for years before someone needs one slides it open and lets the light of day in.. that just doesn't sit well with BIG corporate muckety mucks.
The smaller stores cater to that market, so they don't mind if it sticks around a while. They mark it up accrodingly, but on an item that costs them 3¢ they can mark it up 1000% and you, the consumer, still are only paying 30¢. Happy Hunting! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2005
Posts: 111
| OK, went to local hobby shop, and bought the E-clips linked to online source, above. They are 1.5mm, sold for a Duratrax Mini-Quake R/C vehicle.
They fit perfectly. I did have a problem when setting intonation on one saddle; the clip came off, sprung wide. The clips may not be strong enough. Or, I may not have got it on right.
TommyK, I'm pretty familiar with hardware shops, and those little drawers and trays. 'Course, I haven't seen 'em all. And, I've yet to find a decently stocked old-school hardware store since moving here -- Columbus, GA. If I find one, I'll check. Still, I'd be surprised to see them with tiny 1.5mm clips. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 208
Location: Illinois | I must be blessed with gold old fashioned hardware stores. Ah well, you gotta do what you gotta do. Heck, fixin' up the old axe with race car parts as it's own romantic charm. Heh heh heh. |
|
| |
Circlips? E-clips? Need retainers for solidbody bridge (new type)
