The Electra Forums

I just bought my first electra, it is an early 70's sg copy with a tremolo. After buying this and trying to set it up, I realized that either the bridge is not the original one, or it is missing some parts. It is not securly in place, and moves around a little bit, leading to the guitar going out of tune a lot. Do you think you some of you could take a look at this bridge and give me some suggestions on what to do. I really like the guitar, and it plays well, but I can only play for a couple of minuted then it goes out of tune. Anyways here are the pictures:





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i don't know this model enough to comment on the bridge. Does it seem to shift around on the posts?

otherwise, a bigsby-style bridge really can be a pain to keep in tune. make sure the strings are fresh (not black!) and while you're at it, lube the nut well with pencil lead graphite dust, and I'd consider the same at the bridge too. Make sure you're following good practice winding the strings on the tuners, with as little string wound on as possible. basically, with that tremolo you're going to have to tkae care to make sure every link of the chain is not binding up the strings so when you bend and release they do too.

if it turns out the bridge is not original and you're replacing it, you might consider a roller-type bridge, it really helps with those tremolos.

I have a guitar with this type of bridge system and I have the strings
going over the roller bar instead of under.

I have heard from others who do the same and they report less string
breakage and better tune retention after using the tremolo.

This type of bridge does wiggle a little bit when stringing it up but after that
the strings' downward pressure should keep it secure and stiff.

All the saddles seem to be there, I can see nothing that could be missing.

Some SG models did come with Bigsby systems so it could be original.

Try the tips Xman mentions and put the strings over the bar and see how that goes.

thanks for the reply guys, I ended up buying a new bridge for the guitar. It was one of those roller ones and fit the guitar perfectly. My only problem now is a matter of adjusting the intonation of the guitar. I am going to go try and look around for a site that has some information on this. Otherwise I am really liking the guitar so far, the neck is like butter.

Here is one tutorial for doing your into:
http://www.projectguitar.com/tut/intonate.htm