How to adjust Mustang bridge height after applying Loctite?
- mediocreplayer
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 1333
- Joined: Mon Feb 21, 2011 12:59 am
How to adjust Mustang bridge height after applying Loctite?
The Mustang bridge I have on my Jag was sinking as these bridges usually do. I applied very little blue loctite, which took care of this, but now I cannot adjust the height using the wrench. What do people do in this situation?
- schoolie
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 918
- Joined: Fri Feb 26, 2010 4:25 pm
- Location: Portland, OR
Re: How to adjust Mustang bridge height after applying Loctite?
Drop of acetone on the threads should work..just be careful not to get it on a lacquer finish.
- timtam
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 2739
- Joined: Sun Oct 22, 2017 2:42 am
- Location: Melbourne
Re: How to adjust Mustang bridge height after applying Loctite?
Blue loctite really should release relatively easily with mechanical force. Is the allen key actually mating with the grub screw but refusing to turn (rather than not mating) ? An allen key with a handle may give you a bit more leverage if you can only insert the existing key lengthwise (1.5mm for metric bridges; 0.05"/1.27mm for Imperial).
"I just knew I wanted to make a sound that was the complete opposite of a Les Paul, and that’s pretty much a Jaguar." Rowland S. Howard.
- andy_tchp
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 8038
- Joined: Fri Apr 02, 2010 1:36 am
- Location: Brisbane
Re: How to adjust Mustang bridge height after applying Loctite?
+1. Hopefully you applied it directly to the threads and not all over the top of the fastener where the hex key engages.
If it's truly stuck, heat with butane torch, soldering iron directly on screw head or (as per Mastery recommendations) throw the entire bridge into a pot of boiling water on the stove for a few minutes.
"I don't know why we asked him to join the band 'cause the rest of us don't like country music all that much; we just like Graham Lee."
David McComb, 1987.
David McComb, 1987.
- ChrisDesign
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 322
- Joined: Sun Sep 22, 2019 9:21 pm
- Location: UK
- Contact:
Re: How to adjust Mustang bridge height after applying Loctite?
Worst case scenario, new bridge
"I own a '66 Jaguar. That's the guitar I polish, and baby - I refuse to let anyone touch it when I jump into the crowd." - Kurt Cobain
- fisonic
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 1518
- Joined: Mon Apr 04, 2011 2:09 am
- Location: Sydney Australia
Re: How to adjust Mustang bridge height after applying Loctite?
Loctite Blue is prescribed for 1/4 - 3/4 inch screws, so you have to very sparingly. Purple recomended up to 1/4 inch.
https://www.ellsworth.com/globalassets ... ocking.pdf
https://www.ellsworth.com/globalassets ... ocking.pdf
- jorri
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 3045
- Joined: Thu May 07, 2009 1:53 am
- Location: bath, UK
- Contact:
Re: How to adjust Mustang bridge height after applying Loctite?
As I am sure has happened before dont use their blue superglue either, although it can be loosened by acetone too. Threadlocker is a separate product
- mediocreplayer
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 1333
- Joined: Mon Feb 21, 2011 12:59 am
Re: How to adjust Mustang bridge height after applying Loctite?
Holy shit -- boil the bridge? I might try this just for the fun of it.andy_tchp wrote: ↑Sun Jun 20, 2021 6:16 pm+1. Hopefully you applied it directly to the threads and not all over the top of the fastener where the hex key engages.
If it's truly stuck, heat with butane torch, soldering iron directly on screw head or (as per Mastery recommendations) throw the entire bridge into a pot of boiling water on the stove for a few minutes.
Thank you everyone for your help!
- ShortyMedlock
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 116
- Joined: Tue Jun 15, 2021 10:26 am
Re: How to adjust Mustang bridge height after applying Loctite?
Thanks for that "purple" suggestion... never heard of it before but I can find a use where it is more suited for the job than the green I have been using.
- jorri
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 3045
- Joined: Thu May 07, 2009 1:53 am
- Location: bath, UK
- Contact:
Re: How to adjust Mustang bridge height after applying Loctite?
They arent superglues which is a start. I think green is a higher strength below red.ShortyMedlock wrote: ↑Fri Jul 02, 2021 6:41 pmThanks for that "purple" suggestion... never heard of it before but I can find a use where it is more suited for the job than the green I have been using.
I have blue, but sometimes has made it stiff and incovenient to move saddle screws but not 'stuck'..and that said after a few turns is fine and have only needed once so havent switched down. But i would think purple the most convenient for those who want to adjust saddles as the saddles are easy to rock whilst its tight. Its probably fine using blue on the posts.
- timtam
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 2739
- Joined: Sun Oct 22, 2017 2:42 am
- Location: Melbourne
Re: How to adjust Mustang bridge height after applying Loctite?
Blue 242/243 threadlocker is the usual choice ...
"I just knew I wanted to make a sound that was the complete opposite of a Les Paul, and that’s pretty much a Jaguar." Rowland S. Howard.
- Darren Blaring
- PAT PEND
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2021 11:57 am
Re: How to adjust Mustang bridge height after applying Loctite?
They are more money than a mustang bridge, but Staytrem is now shipping worldwide again (there is a waiting list). I have had one for years and its about as close to maintenance free as you will find. So far I have never needed a bottle of loctite.