Welcome aboard! I don't mind getting muddy, actually... but since I only wash on Thursdays, it is not very practical for me to grow my own food. So, I decided to build a KZfaq video library, to make good use of my "free" time. Hopefully it helps the guitar playing community.

You are right, on some bolt-on neck guitars it is possible to just tilt the neck into correct alignment. But on this one, both E strings were too close to both edges. This bridge string spread is too wide for that neck. They make these 2-1/16 inch string spread bridges specifically to fix this problem.

Nah, it's just that the vintage Fender spec is these 55-56 mm wide bridges, which is why they all have the strings running very close to the edge of the fingerboard, especially in higher positions. You have to be very careful when beveling the fret ends on these guitars, making sure you don't remove any working area of the fret. Squiers come with narrow bridges, so you can only have this issue on one side if the neck is misaligned. Same for more modern Fender bridges.

Thanks for the kind words.

And another annoying thing is the cutout on the on the back plate. That cutout is supposed to give us easy access to the trem block, so that you we put the strings into the holes of the trem block, without removing the plate.

Talking about other annoying things, the G-string pole is higher than it should and the guitar has two tone pots (in 20 years I never found a single custumer that used them both on a Strat).@@GuitarQuackery

Most Fenders are like that... My Tokai is perfect 😍

70s Strats have a lot of issues.

​@@rodolfoamaralguitaryou have never found a customer that uses both tone controls? There is no way that is a true statement 🤣. That's one of the best features for a Strat.

Correct, but in this case, we were talking about a US Fender and a US bridge for a US Fender.

@@GuitarQuackery for sure, just a note for others to consider.

I think I should make a follow up video that shows other reasons for string slippage. Or maybe I should re-edit those video and include the other reasons in this video.

Thank you! Will do!

Glad it helped!

Oh, I see others have already said what I said. 🤦‍♂🤷‍♂🤣✌

Yes, this is something that I forgot to talk about, as I was working late hours and falling asleep editing. I will either make a follow up video or perhaps redo this one and include the neck angle (center line) issue, which can be the culprit on some guitars, but was not the case on this one. I don't know... do you think I should make a follow up video, or do you think it's better to redo this video?

Hmmm. When I got my Charvel, and I looked for videos about the problem, I found some where they actually removed the bridge and rerouted the bridge cavity to move the bridge over. Luckily, I found one (and only one) explaining the simple fix of loosening, adjusting, and retightening the neck. I was freaking out till I found that one video. I even had a friend who got a new guitar last month and he thought the bridge was mounted wrong too. I explained the easy fix and it worked for him. So, maybe it would be good to have another video out there that might save someone from freaking out like me and my friend. I feel sorry for the ones moving their bridges. Whatever you decide, I'll thank you now on behalf of all the worried people with out of wack necks. ✌Subbed ya. ✌

@@mikeshanermusic That’s interesting. I’ll have to look for those videos. It does sound like a very extreme way to fix a problem.

As some other viewers have pointed out, it is actually true that on some guitars, the neck is simply tilted a little bit. I should have mentioned that in the video. This was not the case on this guitar. Both E strings were too close to the fretboard edge, on this particular guitar. And this is an issue that we see with some runs of Fender guitars.

Glad to hear it.

Did I really say that?

In case the entire geometry was off. The string spread at the bridge was simply too wide, in my opinion.

@@GuitarQuackery Yes, definitely the case on the guitar you were working on. 👍 I just wanted to share a tip/fix regarding the occasional fret with string slippage.

@@picksalot1 Of chorus, thank you for sharing your tip. I have heard of a similar fix for other types of fret repair needs. I have never tried it myself. Thanks. Much appreciated.

@@GuitarQuackery The idea popped into my head as something perhaps worth trying. I was shocked how well it worked.

@@picksalot1 Very interesting.

Fender occasionally mixes parts on some lines. It's baffling it's allowed.

There are occasional discrepancies that happen at factories, that later get discovered. I am soon posing a review video of a Fender American Professional II Strat, with some issues.

@@GuitarQuackery Fender must turn out thousands of guitars annually. I'm sure there are going to be some "discrepancies". I look forward to that video.

@@dugbert5 Correct. And I don't want to come across as someone that is just trashing the manufacturers (unless it's Harley Benton, LOL). A brand is just a name, but it all boils down to the factory workers that worked on a specific guitar. And it all ends (or should end) with QC, which is in most cases just fiction.

Thank you for the tip, definitely.

Thanks for the info. I should really make a follow up video, or re-edit this one, as plenty of viewers pointed out that I left out this kind of information (which I really should have included). But my time is spread out really thin, between the work that I have to do on my customers' guitars and the KZfaq efforts. I'm just a one-person operation, so there's only so much I can do... and for every video that I publish I later think of details I should have included.

@@GuitarQuackery Well,you "left in" a whole lotta good stuff! Enjoyed the video,cheers👍

Thanks... your feedback helps... because any positive criticism is ultimately going to help me make better videos in the future.

Awesome, thank you!

G&L saddle lock bridge

​@dingusfuzzk 1:36 lonnkt2755 this bridge is basically a Babicz idea, make large walls and rounded square saddles with rolling pinion centers would be better still like current Babicz bridges. Cool designs, there is a 2 point trem for strats now, and it's on the Aerodyne nobody bought from last year that's a secret sleeper.

I need to make a follow-up video, because I honestly forgot to mention that the string slippage could be caused by another issue, which a few of you have pointed out, which is the misalignment of the neck.

@@GuitarQuackeryon one of my Strats the first string (alto E) saddle wants to sit tilted away from the others. It appears the hole for the saddle screw, while located correctly, is not flush on one side and when the saddle is pulled or pushed toward the headstock the screw-head actually counter sinks slightly into that hole at one side. I can think of a couple ways to remedy this without replacement of any hardware but I am interested if you have any suggestions? Many thanks! And I am enjoying your channel a lot it is quite valuable. All the best!

@@leewalton6882 I've seen this on quite a few bridges. Sometimes the holes are not evenly spaced and sometimes the saddle, screw & spring assembly sits crooked. I've even seen bent screws. I can't really suggest what would be the best solution in your case, without having the opportunity to see it in person.

You’re welcome.

If your bridge is a 6-point mounting system with 2-7/32" spacing, then the part is amzn.to/48BwQ1h (affiliate link) which is the exact part used in this video. But please, before ordering, make sure your mounting spacing is 2-7/32" to make sure this is the correct part. Hope this helps.

Thank you very much for your Super Thanks. I have your Les Paul on my bench as we speak, BTW.

The other solution is, buy a Squire.

You had a bit of bad luck to have two guitars with that problem.

The correct string spread measurement across the saddles is the key element to improve this particular situation.

I would have to see the guitar in person to really advise you. Sometimes Gibson folks notch the saddles at the wrong places and sometimes they install the bridge posts at the wrong place. There are more possibilities than just the nut. In fact, I think it is unlikely that the nut is causing this.

This guitar did not have a misaligned neck.

Sure, this is the exact Fender bridge assembly used in this video is amzn.to/48BwQ1h (disclaimer - this is an affiliate link that pays me commission at no extra cost to you). Hope this helps. Thanks.

It is true that one might never run into this issue. But I do see it often on the workbench. I wouldn’t be able to tell you what percentage of guitars have this issue. It seems to be just on some runs of Fender guitars, but I am not sure which period of production.

Do you have a guitar with the Floyd, that has this issue? In this video, I am only addressing the issue of a bridge with a string spread that is too wide for the neck. As some other viewers have pointed out in the comments, this is not the only possible reason why a string might be slipping.

Yes,- it’s 30 years old but had the problem since day 1.

I think it’s this video, The Issue No One Talks About when Filing the Nut on a Guitar or Bass kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ftyFhZqBrMi1Z5c.html I plan on making at least one more video that explains this issue, in a better way.

@@GuitarQuackery Thanks, yes, that's the video. Very interesting. Looking forward to more insightful videos!

LOL.

I can feel your pain.

You’re not alone.

NYC midtown Manhattan. Feel free to check out the video Guitar Repair Shop at the Center of the World kzfaq.info/get/bejne/nslpjbxzl8fQgIU.html

@GuitarQuackery I did so just after I left the comment. Listen, I'm a stickler for my guitars being set up and playing perfect. I'm from Boston but moved to Virginia ten years ago. Back home, I had no issues with finding good techs. I had choices. Here, there's one shop an hr away from me that does questionable work. I'll never take my guitars back there again. So I'm stuck doing my own work. I have all the tools, but I just don't trust my work. I'll get everything set up, play the guitar, and find some issue (i.e., too much/not enough relief, action/ radius of action, isn't right, etc). I always feel like somethings wrong and could be better. That cycle just repeats itself. I've been playing for over 25 years. I never used to even think of this. I knew when I needed a setup but that was it. I never cared about the particulars like measurements and specs. I suppose I'm being delusional, but it's really taken the joy from playing my guitars. Having a competent tech is vital for me now. I wish there was a way for me to get my guitars in your hands.

I can see that you’re a big fan of The Who. Oh, course, I’m really happy to hear that you think I would be a good match for your needs, but I’m not sure what I can do to help you remotely. I do understand that finding a tech that is a good match can be a journey.

@GuitarQuackery yeah Doc, The Who are the gods of rock, in my opinion. I don't feel that's even up for debate, lol. It was leaving Boston and coming here that I began to stress over every little aspect of a setup. Before that, I'd get a setup every few shows and carry on. Never even bothering to check neck relief check, never mind adjusting it. I've learned how to do everything. I'm meticulous with it all. I just feel I play guitars better than I do fix them, lol. Anyway, it is what it is. There's no sense in moaning. I'll get over it eventually. Cheers, doc!

LOL.

People will have different opinions and of course this is the place to discuss. I’d be curious to know a little bit more about what you’re thinking.

Make sure you don't mistakenly buy the wrong one. First, you have to identify if it's a 6-point or a 2-point system. Here are some affiliate links. The 6-point system - amzn.to/3JN792V The 2-point system - amzn.to/3QxKjAl I just installed the 2-point system on another Strat and it worked out, too. BTW, these are affiliate Amazon links, so I do get a small commission if you purchase through those links, but it is at no additional cost to you (or anyone else). Hope this helps.

Although, I personally prefer the metric system, these measurements are in inches, because it is a US product. When you look around to buy this bridge, you have to specify 2-1/16 inch.

This occurs on USA Gibsons, Fenders, G&Ls, you name it. A nut cut the smallest fraction too big on the high e and you'll have slippage, #1 culprit that is a hard to deal with- guitars from custom shops thats necks shoulders and frets have been rounded over too aggressively to facilitate the broken in feel. One fret can ruin a guitar neck. The cheap junk from China is raw, they don't attempt to finish a neck.

This one was used guitar that the customer bought, I believe on Reverb.

This problem is actually most common on vintage spec American Fenders.

Yup by Ibanez the JS model for you Fender neck lovers. I had a Malmsteen strat briefly and it had the same problem.

There are a few issues that offer an opportunity for improvement, with Fender guitars, as well as with some other manufacturers.

The brake angle on the low E string, is too severe. that potentially presents some other issues, if you look into subtleties. I do mention this and a couple other videos.