Epic bridge

[stanpz]

I just purchased my first Alembic product,a used 1996 Epic 5 string bass. It is in great condition except for the bridge. The bridge looks so much more filthy than the guitar itself.It looks tarnished and worn. I used some Brasso, but it's hard to work it in with the strings attached. Is that what I should keep using or is the damage more permanent. Can I remove or loosen all the strings to work on it with more gusto ? Two images enclosed. Thanks.

 

  (Message edited by davehouck on September 11, 2010)

[sonicus]

What I do is remove the bridge from the instrument and scrub it with FLITZ using an old tooth brush and lots of Q-tips  and an old sock . I makes it look like new !   Elbow grease will be needed as well  and determination and of course caution with attention to detail .
 
          You will feel triumphant after it's beautiful .

[sonicus]

Welcome & Congratulations to the world of Alembic products !

[tbrannon]

Check this thread in the FAQ section:  http://club.alembic.com/Images/16271/16386.html?1107732526
 
Also- there are several other threads bumping around about the same topic if you do a quick search.
 
You've already taken some pictures, which will come in handy when it comes time to put everything back together.  
 
The Alembic bridge is really a thing of beauty- and when you take it apart and start looking at how it's all set up and designed, you'll really appreciate all those little parts!

[stanpz]

The fellow I purchased it from made a point of telling me how meticulously he set up the bass before selling it. I can see hwo much easier it would be to clean it up by removing it, but I'm worried about getting it back together properly. I read the other posts. It can't be that tricky.

[tbrannon]

Setting them up and tweaking the action is half the fun.  
 
Joey's post on setting up your bass is about the best 'how-to-guide' I've come across.  He breaks it all down and make it simple.  
 
Take it all apart, spit shine the sucker and then put it back together.  I'll bet that once you've put the bridge back together, played with the truss rods (as Joey advises), etc., that you'll have the action just where YOU want it and that you'll find it's even nicer to play.  
 
Here's the link to Joey's set-up advice:
http://club.alembic.com/Images/16271/16318.html?1107545766

[bigredbass]

Stan, after you un-string it but before you move anything:  You can measure how high the bridge is screwed out from the body on each end.  You can make a diagram, even measure where each saddle is sitting along the length of the threaded rod adjuster, and which way the bridge is facing.  The first time I did what you're about to do, it went fine until I put mine back on backwards !
 
Anyway the measurements would get you back playing again quicker than having to start from scratch . . . These bridges can look quite nasty on a used guitar, but the great thing about the brass parts is that they can be polished back to like-new.  You can do this to the bridge and the adjustable nut, but generally not the tailpiece as these are almost always clear-coated.  And DON'T use brass polish on gold-plated parts.
 
When they're this dirty, you just can't get them right with the strings in place.  
 
Best of luck,
 
J o e y

[lbpesq]

Here is a link to a thread about an Epic I found that had been seriously neglected.  You can see pics of just how nice an Alembic brass bridge can clean up.  Use some Flitz, take pics before taking apart, and a Dremel with a flexible shaft and polishing brush really helps.  Congrats on your first Alembic and welcome to the club.
 
Bill, the guitar one

[rockbassist]

I agree with sonicus. I do the same thing. I usually remove the bridge and clean it with Flitz. I usually use swabs and a Dremel tool with a soft buffing wheel attachment. I also treat the fretboard with pure lemon oil at the same time.

[sonicus]

I also do the fretboard lemon oil treatment  at that time. Sometimes  I wait a day or so to replace the strings afterward to make sure the oil is completely soaked in.

[lbpesq]

After treating the fretboard with lemon oil, I put the old strings back on for a couple of days.  I find the lemon oil will discolor the strings at first.  After 2-3 days, I put on new strings.
 
Bill, tgo