Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Owning an Alembic => Troubleshooting => Topic started by: RPM1964 on July 27, 2019, 05:22:20 PM

Title: 93 Epic help with inserts for bridge
Post by: RPM1964 on July 27, 2019, 05:22:20 PM

Hi all! Working on my first Alembic.  Played for about an hour before I started some much needed clean up. I'm loving this baby! Working on the bridge with my newly arrived bridge kit. Next up is reinstalling the inserts for the bridge pickup. I have inserts and insert tools coming for those. The only issue is the bridge anchor points. The E string side was so corroded the height adj. bolt was bonded to the insert. 10 hour soak in evaporust and 12 hrs in free all still won't break them loose to save the insert. The pickup screw inserts were 6-32 knife thread but I can't find the fatter ones for the bridge that are still 6-32 int. thread. Any ideas? Drilled out many a brake line fitting but these are internally threaded and don't want to foul those, but I can start with a small bit and pray!

Used Brasso, toothbrush, small detail brush and microfibers and got the bridge looking better. I'm happy with it considering the corrosion. Wet sanding the tailpiece next and will polish and re-clearcoat it tomorrow. Wish me luck and any advice on the bridge inserts will be much appreciated!

Title: Re: 93 Epic help with inserts for bridge
Post by: mica on July 29, 2019, 10:29:17 AM

We can send you a couple of those inserts no prob - I've got your address. Usually the bridge itself is left uncoated unless we are doing plating.

Title: Re: 93 Epic help with inserts for bridge
Post by: RPM1964 on July 30, 2019, 08:35:54 AM

Hi Mica,

You rock!
Yes, I was leaving the bridge uncoated. I did however clearcoat the tailpiece after sanding off the remaining amount that was on there. Got to pull out my fine grit wetsand paper from the last time I did some autobody work. Here's a before and in progress.

Thanks again for the inserts! There is absolutely nothing close anywhere in my little city. 8 hardware store and 3 old auto supply shops with bins and bins of everything but those...

Title: Re: 93 Epic help with inserts for bridge
Post by: growlypants on July 30, 2019, 10:48:32 AM

Yea, it looks a little better!!!

Title: Re: 93 Epic help with inserts for bridge
Post by: edwardofhuncote on July 30, 2019, 02:45:07 PM

Glad to see this one is finally getting some lovin' care... it was waaay past due.  ;D


Looking good Rich.  ;)

Title: Re: 93 Epic help with inserts for bridge
Post by: RPM1964 on July 31, 2019, 11:17:22 AM

Thanks growlypants and edwardofhuncote! Just emailed Mica as a friend of mine who does custom furniture builds ended up with my inserts! Still fine tuning the neck and intonations. A little buzz on the E upper frets still but I see I have just a hair back bow. Had to take a break and let her rest a minute so my back can relax! Here she is as of a few minutes ago. Thanks again for the tip on the pots! They cleaned up wonderful and quiet as can be now

Title: Re: 93 Epic help with inserts for bridge
Post by: RPM1964 on July 31, 2019, 03:58:19 PM

Looking pretty, sounding pretty!
Thanks to everyone for the help!

Title: Re: 93 Epic help with inserts for bridge
Post by: David Houck on July 31, 2019, 06:39:44 PM

   :)

Title: Re: 93 Epic help with inserts for bridge
Post by: edwardofhuncote on July 31, 2019, 06:48:48 PM

Nice! You got a little sweat equity tied up in that Epic now, but it'll be well worth it.  :D

Title: Re: 93 Epic help with inserts for bridge
Post by: pauldo on August 01, 2019, 05:48:39 AM

Looks great!

Title: Re: 93 Epic help with inserts for bridge
Post by: RPM1964 on August 03, 2019, 07:34:30 AM

Thanks everyone! I have a connection with this one. We've both had to have parts replaced and repaired to get to working order! LOL Mixed emotions to finish, I've really enjoyed working on her!

Thanks for the compliments!