How To Fix Loose Guitar Bridge Posts And Bushings. Sharpen My Axe

[@bainr6856]

This EXACT problem is happening to one of my guitars. Thanks, Phil!

[@socialdef3]

Did you do this to your guitar? How is it now??

[@jim.missywyant.kennedy2334]

I don't know if I speak for anyone else but these are exactly the type of tips that I benefit from. Thanks for sharing your years of experience with us Phil, it's really quite priceless. Peace!

[@jasonenglisch2547]

Thanks! I have this exact problem and my local shop wanted to sell me a new bridge, etc. so a fraction of the money they wanted I am sending you in thanks for this and all the other helpful, newbie friendly content you provide. :)

[@BiGCyCl0n3]

I have a BC Rich Warlock with this issue. I am so glad that I came across this video. I have been trying to figure out for years how to fix it, but never wanted to take the guitar apart because I was afraid of destroying it. Thank you for making this video. I can now repair my Warlock and play it again.

[@socialdef3]

Did it work?

[@BiGCyCl0n3]

@@socialdef3 I have done the repair, but I have also been staining the neck, so I have not been able to put string tension on it yet. However, I think it will be fine once I get strings on it.

[@henryhunter5026]

Great idea! I’ve got a couple of Epiphones with loose posts, I’ll give it a try, it’s a lot easier than filling and re-drilling.

[@bilanggoboy]

I love how despite your close friendship with Paul Reed Smith, you don’t shy away from pointing out any issues on this SE guitar. I have the exact same issue with my SE: the post is bending forward and making the strings buzz like a sitar. I think it’s because of the soft wood they used. I hope this fixed my problem too.

[@philipotero4464]

I saw thos video days before I was going to buy a drill press to fix this issue on my Epiphone SG. Your video saved my SG and my sanity. It worked like a charm. The bushing sits perfectly now.

[@socialdef3]

Update: I could not get my hands on any newspaper so went for masking tape, I cut out an appropriate size of tape for the insert and did just a bit over one wrap, nice and snug. Then I applied the wood glue to the sides of the inside of the hole with a Q-tip and did the same to the insert. Now that both adhering surfaces were covered with wood glue, I placed the insert in the hole and hammered lightly. I will let it set over night, place some vaseline on the studs and lower the tailpiece all the way down to avoid any further issues. Of course, since the tailpiece will be all the way down, I'll finally get to try the top-wrap method! Thanks so much for this video once again.

[@gerryloughran1676]

Top tips short and sweet ...perfect thanks (good to see someone still got use for newspapers !)

[@humbertoalejandroperezfari8418]

Awesome video, Phill Who else would like to see a tour of Phill's shop?

[@wesleyAlan9179]

Humberto Alejandro Perez Farias ...me!

[@voltagevillain7342]

Humberto Alejandro Perez Farias I would!

[@TheSeanCreagh]

I had the same issue. I just used paper tape and it worked like a charm! :)

[@RikkiRockit05]

Watched this. Did it the next day to my trouble guitar. IT WORKED! Thank you!

[@socialdef3]

Hello. I am looking to do this to my guitar but was wondering what the long term results were. How did your guitar end up until now?

[@flyingwondercat739]

Thank you so much, exact same problem on my PRS SE Bernie Marsden. For made in Korea it has 1/2" bridge posts... Bought a new bridge, pulled the old posts out, and realized my new bridge posts were too small! Old posts go back in and the bass-side post is super loose. The treble-side post went back in tight because of the bridge ground wire being wedged in there. I'll try this trick, might use a bit less glue so I have a chance of pulling it back out later :)

[@chuckaluckbuckaluck1081]

Just wanted to let it be known, even though I saw this video when it came out, I am back here tonight (3 weeks later) to review as I am about to solve this problem on a late 70s Ibanez Single-cut LP Copy. Its been done so dirty by previous owner that its not in like collector condition.. but it's a cool-coming-along-player. So far I have been able to teach myself some new stuff as far as repairs go.. I keep unearthing things to do and it's fun. That could be a blog post though. BUT... Phil, I trust the hell out of you. Any time I put any of your advice into what I am doing the results are THAT MUCH BETTER. I am stuck between generations here, where I feel the need to pay you articulate compliments, but the part of me is urged to just throw all eloquence to the wind and just say "Phil, you the GOAT!" Either way, Thanks to you... I know my gear.

[@warrenxiii6721]

I was just about to string my SG and realized I have this exact problem. Gonna be getting the glue and doing this repair soon. Thanks for the great video

[@scottherzog9359]

Wow, Phillip you actually saved X~mass 2023. . . thank you.

[@dalepal]

That’s a nice and easy solution to avoid plugging the hole with a dowel and drilling. Please keep these tech tips coming.

[@TimothyCookUSMCRetired]

Thanks. I bought a used Epi LP Junior with this problem. I recently have been getting into guitar repair and thought I was going to have to fill and redrill. I can't wait to try this easy fix.

[@andrewdimartino7426]

I love the tech tips videos! Please do one on neck shims! When do you need them? How do you find the right size shim? How do you properly install one? That'd be an awesome video!

[@elbass0]

This!

[@randolphpatterson5061]

A bolt on neck needs a shim, if & when the action is still too high after the bridge has been lowered as much as possible. Another related aspect is that sometimes lowering the bridge to achieve decent action results in the strings contacting the pickups while the pickups are as low as they can be adjusted. That's another indication that you need to shim the neck. You try to go for a happy medium of sorts. A workable neck angle allows the strings to be adjusted for optimal string action on the frets, while allowing the bridge to be raised enough so that the strings don't contact the pickups, and that the bridge itself isn't raised to anywhere near the limit of its height. Almost any hard material can be used as a shim. Often, the only way of determining the ideal neck angle on a particular instrument is by tediously unstringing & restringing, while experimenting with different thicknesses of shim material. You can often just loosen the strings without removing them from either the tuners or from the bridge/tailpiece, to save lots of time. Each time it's unstrung, the neck is removed and a shim is installed, then the neck is reattached to the body, the instrument is restrung & tuned to pitch, and the results are evaluated. You want to see that the bridge isn't so high that it's barely threaded into the threaded bushing inserts, while the strings have sufficient clearance above the pickups, and also while the string action can be set to a comfortable height. Check your neck relief while the strings are tuned to pitch and make sure it's the right amount for you. Because if you wait until after you do the shim testing, you may need to start all over when the relief is set. So, check & adjust the neck relief first. To help avoid confusion while trying out different shims, it's a good idea to begin with the thinnest shim and work your way up through the thicker sizes as your evaluation dictates. It's not usually necessary to use a full size tapered shim, a small flat strip of material placed at the end of the neck pocket nearest the bridge is generally regarded as sufficient, and typically no tonal or structural deficiencies will result. The shim can be secured in position in the neck pocket with a couple small strips of frog tape, or you can secure it in place with a tiny drop of glue, if you prefer. There are also numerous examples of shims that aren't secured at all, the crafter simply exercised care to not move the shim out of position when installing the neck. You can now buy tapered, full size shims in a choice of several different angle configurations, because StewMac is always trying to invent something we've done without for hundreds of years that they can convince us we need to buy. One word of caution, be gentle each time you secure the neck bolts, you don't want to strip them & thus add to your project workload. I hope these tips help.

[@megamanx8939]

YOU GOTA LOVE Phillip McKnight!

[@MrAllstar]

Just one point that hasn't been made clear in the video - to lock the paper onto the bushing it needs to extend past the bottom chamfer/lip. That ensures the paper is locked onto the bushing as you hammer it in, if you don't do that most of the paper doesn't hammer down with the bushing and just clumps up at the top. Also you can roll the paper on dry and then just add a bit of glue under the flap and then rub it on all over the outside, that makes it easier to wrap the paper nice and tight.

[@stihlsavvy666]

Doing it this way will also be a lesser headache for when there is the possibility of having to remove it in future as the glue will be minimal between the stud and paper and more so between the wood and paper.

[@BuddhafulSam]

thanks, it wasn't 100% clear if the wood glue was applied to the outside of the paper to affix to the guitar or the inside to hold it on the bushing. So a small amount on the inside, and over all of the outside and then insert, and hammer in gently until flat.

[@driptopher7222]

I've found that I can just coat the inside of the post hole in a light layer of wood glue, let it dry, then pound the post in. No paper necessary.

[@MrAllstar]

@@driptopher7222 That's a good one, that'll do the same thing but with less faffing.

[@druchumley4571]

Just discovered this issue on my Epi 335. You, sir, are a lifesaver. Add one subscriber. Many thanks.

[@ShaneWoodard-q2l]

Perfect 👍. Fixing my loose Epiphone Les Paul tail piece now. Appreciate the straight forward tutorial!

[@ThunderFalcon333]

Phil is the best repair tech ive ever seen.

[@kevinpaul1719]

This is what you do best. Thank you and I always watch your videos of genius.

[@AM2PMReviews]

you the man PHIL! Being in Arizona made mine shrink after I put a new bridge on it too.

[@anthonynicosia2652]

What about the ground wire inside the post hole? I’m currently updating my ‘79 HONDO 740 and need to do this. Better way to ground everything? Can’t use the bridge or stop bar holes. Too big for newer pieces.

[@official_VinnybKing]

Excellent Tip Phillip!!! I bought a new TonePros bridge for my Epiphone Les Paul Jr and the bridge post were just a tad bit smaller .....Obviously I found you with this excellent tip but I used legal pad paper ...seems to have worked just fine THANK YOU BROTHER

[@michellegare2894]

It just happended to me, and the solution was right here! Fixed it right away. Great tip! Thanks, Phil.

[@rallypoint1]

Cool! I have used 600grit sandpaper wrapped around a loose tuner bushing. The grit side holds well against the wood.

[@caniswolf3394]

I've seen this happen to a lot of guitars with this similar style of bridge. Thanks 4 this.

[@pizzaROX]

Thanks man! Great explanation on everything as to how and why youre doing what you did.

[@hobbyknight9962]

Thank you Phil for all you do. I enjoy your tech tips a lot. In fact your tech tips is how I found your channel back around 70k subs.

[@AdamCantalupo]

I have to do this on a parts guitar I’m working on. I tried to scroll through the comments as to not ask the same thing but didn’t see anything, it’s a TOM style bridge and the strings are through the body. I’ll need to run a ground wire to the bridge post. Any insight on how I can still ground the bridge if I wrap it? Thanks

[@cyb3r3vil30]

Funny just noticed my explorer doing this and thought oh god how am I going to fix this Thank you so much for doing this video it's my second favorite guitar I've ever had saved by Phillip

[@josemarrero9979]

How would you ground the post with the newspaper around it?

[@cgavin1]

iirc the bridge stud is grounded the tp is grounded by being connected in circuit with the bridge.. via the strings.

[@scotty1time]

Thank you very much! Literally the same thing happened to a post in my guitar just now as I tried restringing after installing some better floyd rose hardware. Korean guitar that's been in Colorado drying out.

[@JenMickeySpitz]

Really helpful! Thanks for detailing how to repair the stud.

[@robinbebbington7063]

Adding the glue is essential otherwise it just pulls out easily. I wish I had seen this a few months back as I ended up using superglue to hold my posts in when building a kit guitar. By test fitting the posts I think it opened the holes a bit too much and then had this problem when finishing it off. This is a much better method as you can replace posts later on if needed but I would hate to see what would happen to my body if I tried pulling mine out. Thanks Phil

[@andreaskragh9464]

Won't the glue stop the grounding?

[@richardblake6676]

I like this fix it’s simple and works.

[@louiswagner443]

Awesome tip! I never would have thought of that, and it looks super easy.

[@stylgen]

This is super useful. I'm was trying to diagnose the same problem with my Squier 2-point bridge. Thanks for this!

[@socialdef3]

Phil thank you so much, this exact same thing is happening to my Epiphone SG! On the forums, I've been told to use epoxy or wood filler + sawdust to fill in the sides before placing the insert back in. I want a permanent solution but the epoxy I had was unusable. Unfortunately I can't get my hands on wood filler or sawdust so I want to try this method!

[@rondelio8562]

Hey, Phil, I , too, live in AZ and started building kit axes about a year ago and LOVE it!! One kit was a 335 and today, when I arrived at school to teach music, I saw that one ABR-1 tailpiece stud was about 1/2 out of the body! Thanks for offering a great, simple way to fix this issue! If you ever come by Cochise County, please look me up. :-)

[@ColinStuart]

Seems to back up things that I've done all my life. I guess I might know more that I give myself credit for. I still enjoy seeing you share your knowledge!

[@danielguimaraes8705]

The bottom on my wraparound bridge is not loose but it looks like the post is leaning towards the headstock. Have you experienced something similar to that? Thank you!

[@forestgreenman]

Just the fix I need! Thanks Phil!

[@Rickholly74]

I agree with others here. Nice short and very useful video. Keep them coming.

[@AlbusBand]

I’m sure it’s a lifetime of trial & error, but man I enjoy these little tips.

[@bakstabbath]

Never heard of that trick before. Thanks for sharing, Phil.

[@Acroanidd]

paper is a very good choice, i wouldn't have thought of it, but any kind of wood pulp based products would work if they are thin enough but just thick enough to fit whatever gap. On my Ibanez I had an issue where the button for the strap wasn't staying in place because for whatever reason the hole was drilled to wide from the factory. I grabbed some match sticks and some wood glue and it's fitting like a glove now.

[@josephmcdonald6684]

Amazing man. Love the video. Always had a passion for guitar especially since my father was a drummer in a band in the 80s but i never had the money to do so . now with 12 guitars later i absorb this stuff at every chance. Really didn't want to redrill on my gibson sg maestro.. You saved my sanity. Thank you.

[@BK-lx5mo]

What about the ground wire on a TOM tailpiece? Attach it under the paper?

[@noisetape8405]

thanks so much for this. i bought a used LP Special (Japan copy) that came with wraparound style bridge which has the exact problem like this. very helpful. have a great day sir!

[@Choowy]

This literally just happened to my Floyd Rose on my 97 Strat that I just picked up yesterday. Glad its an easy fix whew

[@pinetopthomas4100]

I bought an old 80s Westone guitar for $10. This guitar has a number of things that need to be fixed, which is why I bought it to learn how to make my own guitar repairs, but it doesn't have this problem anymore. Thanks Phil!. BTW, are these old 80s Westone guitars worth anything? I heard that they were very popular in their day.

[@stepvanjoe3469]

Great tip Phil, keep 'em coming

[@edatkinson322]

Got to do this on my Harley Benton DC Custom. Thx for the tip Phil 👍

[@AedanBlackheart]

What do you do if the screws/anchor things don't fit in the predrilled holes? I bought a diy kit, do i just hammer them in?

[@davemackellar6189]

Thanks. Dealing with this issue on an Epi Les Paul right now...perfect timing. Did you let the glue dry on the construction paper wrapped on the stud first before hammering or just wrap it, glue it and hammer back in all at once?

[@socialdef3]

That's a good questions, and one I'd want answered before doing this to my SG! By the looks of it, it was still wet when he hammered.

[@davidwhisenant5328]

This video is a lifesaver, awsome, thank you🎸

[@andreikaportsev6684]

Thanks for the video. I fixed loose bridge bushings on my cheap Epi this way today using decorator's masking tape - worked a treat, let's see how long it lasts! :)

[@socialdef3]

Hello, I need to do this to my Epiphone SG tailpiece as well. Did you use glue as well?

[@andreikaportsev6684]

@@socialdef3 No, I have not added any extra glue - the tape was sticky enough to hold itself wrapped around the bushing.

[@creationinspired200]

Phillip i have a se Custom 22 with stud bushings that wont seat fully in? One side of the bushing cylinder shape wants to seat further then the other side any suggested fixes?

[@turbo1234ist]

Thank you Phil, I have the same problem on a guitar I have. I was wondering what to do, this solves most of my problem.

[@dykeneuk]

Going to do this very thing today. Great tip.

[@quars3528]

Hi, thanks a lot. I've the same problem, and someone told me that kind of issue, maybe, coul be sinthom of a fake guitar. I 'm talkin about a les paul by Epiphone..... And, other question: could this kind of fix, decrease the sustain ? thank you mate.

[@goncaloalmeida9853]

What about the grounding wire? How do you connect it to the tailpiece if now it's covered in paper?

[@anthonynicosia2652]

My question as well.

[@mavrim7]

I put epoxy on one that was lifting out. Worked perfectly!

[@jeffkennedy5448]

How was the long-term reliability of your "newspaper" fix ? I've got a relatively new Gretsch G2622 Streamliner with lifting inserts.

[@nellax8314]

I just had this problem Phil you have every video I need thank you my friend ❤

[@brunodelandev]

Exactly the issue tha i have on a Custom 77 china girl (SG junior). Thanks for the tips.🤟

[@passionplayer7]

Thanks so much Phil! Exact isssue I was having with my Charvel DK24 2PT, same one you have. I saw someone else have the same issue with the same guitar, Mexico to Sweetwater to Houston I guess was too much humidity change perhaps? You saved me tons of time and anguish, thanks again!

[@coleschweitzer4851]

Thanks Phil, Just what I needed to fix a new guitar I just received and now I don't need to send it back for repair. Love the videos man keep up the good work 👍🎸😎

[@rambodumbo]

Such a great tip! I have this problem with my guitar, though I am fearing mine is a tad more severe. I have a floating bridge that has made the pegs sort of push the wood to the one side. Its only pushed at the top of the hole so im going to give this a try. If it does not work i think I'll have to fill it and redrill :| sick tip

[@DirtyBlues8]

Great post, Phillip. Aside from the paper & glue, how well was the teflon tape you used?

[@Shredso]

I noticed a ground wire in the cavity when I pulled the stud out. I'm guessing newspaper and glue aren't very conductive. Is this an issue, or is it thin enough that it doesn't matter?

[@peacemakerrockwi]

Did you ever get an answer to this grounding question? This is my reservation about trying this fix on both of my bushings.

[@DirtyTractorDr]

I like. I recently have become highly interested in repairing/customizing guitars and other gear. Thanks for the vid.

[@iwaspaidtoflywithyoubatman]

Would this work for tuner bushings as well? I got replacement ones that a little too loose on the outer as well as inner diameter. I might give it a shot.

[@tonynoon8693]

Perfect timing on this!

[@tonynoon8693]

I assume you would do this same trick for a two point trem that has pulled out of the body as well, correct?

[@chrish931]

I have this issue on a Squier Strat standards bridge post, only difference is I can see a slight crack running from the trem route to the to the bridge post hole. At the moment I have the strat hardtailed and its only an issue when I restring and the post starts pulling out from the spring tension in the back. I would like to float the bridge again and use the trem but I'm afraid of the crack getting worse, do you think this along with some wood glue along the crack might help me get my trem back, or am I better off filling the hole, and re-drilling, or should I just leave it hardtailed and forget about the trem.

[@rarestpepe8835]

I have completly loose one in Gibson SG Faded from 2008. Definetly trying with newspaper but maby without a glue.

[@Supperconductor]

Brilliant fix, thanks!

[@ajizzle4rizzle]

Yo Phil, I did this about a year and the glue starting to crack and starting to lift out again.. I did everything you instructed to do-same glue same newsletter trick and everything. What should I do now 🤔?

[@juandelacruz5247]

I have the same issue with my seni-hollow guitar both on the bridge posts and stoptail posts. I was thinking that it is due to the arched top. Should it then be normal?

[@elbik95]

Man i'm loving this tips, AWESOME job Phil

[@orlandovflores]

Great video. I inherited an EPI 335 and both the bridge and tailpiece posts were coming up. Going to try this out this weekend!

[@pigjubby1]

After all, paper IS wood. Good idea. I have this same problem. Going to try it.

[@tonepilot]

Cool tip. How do you prevent the paper from bunching up as you push in the post?

[@markflores2475]

Question. So I recently pulled out the posts to try this method. The hole for the post nearest to the pickup selector switch, volume knobs and tone had a tiny hole with a little metal wire routed through. So for sake of this video it would be the post that was not affected. Any way my guess is that this wire was for ground contact with the metal post? So if I wrap the post with glued on newspaper would there be a a ground issue due to the paper not allowing ground contact between the wire and the metal post? The guitar I was going to attempt this method on is a Hamer SFX series with tune-o-matic bridge and of course the aforementioned stop tail with the lifted posts. Please help!

[@peacemakerrockwi]

Did you ever get an answer to this grounding question? This is my reservation about trying this fix on both of my bushings.

[@markflores2475]

@@peacemakerrockwi I believe so but not on here. I will see if I can find the thread though.

[@peacemakerrockwi]

@@markflores2475 I appreciate that. Thanks!

[@markflores2475]

@@peacemakerrockwi sorry bro, I couldn’t find the comment that had the helpful tip for this issue.

[@peacemakerrockwi]

@@markflores2475 Thanks for trying.

[@davidwhisenant5328]

Can you use plumbers tape instead of newspaper, like threadtape??

[@1Dcorace]

Nice repair. You probably improved the tone transfer too.

[@charliethegent]

Cool tip man. A quick tip troubleshooting series like this would be awesome going fwd

[@mattmitchell7823]

Great tip and thanks for being awesome!

[@superdave2112]

Philip, how wide a gap do you think this would be good for? I have a thru-neck Iceman with an Edge 3 that has a loose post on the little E side.

[@scottraycraft1885]

Great idea...but what about the grounding wire on the post closest to the electronics cavity

[@peacemakerrockwi]

Did you ever get an answer to this grounding question? This is my reservation about trying this fix on both of my bushings.

[@jonathanratcliffe5714]

Thanks Phil, I've got exactly the same problem with a Vintage guitar's post

[@reviewersrevival5408]

Thank you! Me thinks I’ll need to do this little trick to my old Epiphone Sheraton II.

[@chickenfarm09]

Can this be done with a machine head tuner bushing as well?

[@natedbro8351]

Will it work on 2 pin strat

[@drkoontz]

Enjoy all you videos!

[@mauricerrr]

I really like these videos. Would love to see how you level and crown frets!