The Electra Forums

I got an X195 in with a replacement bridge (it was chrome, ugly, and looked totally wrong). So I ordered a metric black strat style bridge from Guitar Fetish - a really nice unit made for import guitars and it is made of hardened steel with a steel block - it is made very well. However, it seems that my assumption that since Electras are Japanese the import metric bridge would fit - it does not!

So if you have one of these, if it is like mine it uses the regular strat spacing, NOT METRIC. The metric spacing is a couple MM or so too narrow for the holes in the guitar. I see these all the time, but this is the first one of these I actually replaced.

The I preceded to order locking keys for it and the were listed as 6L keys, I was thinking 6 in LINE, but it meant LEFT handed keys. As soon as I realized the error of my ways, I sent them a message saying I bought the wrong sided keys. They sold the Right sided ones, and they cost the same, so I asked if they would exchange them. Before I got a reply, I got a message saying the Left handed one shipped. WONDERFUL. But then, a the next day I got a not saying the shipping was caught and they swapped it out with the correct keys. I hope so.

I just recently bought a set of really nice locking planet waves tuners for another guitar to find out I bought the completely wrong version. These I will eventually use, so I guess I will hang on to them. They would fit most Electras with a 3x3 headstock.

Oh well!

_________________
Thorny

Sounds like you need to dust off the old calipers Thorny. Seriously though, as if Strat bridges weren't hard enough to pin down already - we have the vintage spacing, AS spacing, MIJ spacing etc. It can be a real pain sometimes when going aftermarket.

As for Guitar Fetish - I have nothing but good things to say about virtually everything I've bought from them. Dream 90 HB size P90's - loved them, Sperzel style locking tuners - super, modern spacing strat bridge - great! And the list goes on. I even got a replacement metric threaded whammy bar for an X185 that fit well and looked darn near stock. I always assumed stuff like tuner screws or pickup sprinhs or something would be real shoddy and strip/break or whatnot but I've never had a single problem with any of their stuff.

I know they also shipped quickly so it's nice to hear that their Customer Service seems to be on top of things too. GF is my first stop when I shop for non-branded aftermarket stuff.

My wife got me a Guitar Fetish Tele kit for Christmas. It was missing some parts. They sent them out promptly and include a few goodies as an apology. I have a Squire Strat bridge around here somewhere. It may fit. It is missing two saddles though. If you give me the measurements, I will check it. If it fits, it is yours for the postage.

Thanks for the offer but I am sending the one back for a replacement. I do appreciate the offer though. The bridge they sent me would probably work well on yours actually. I guess the thing is they don't actually post measurements
In their specs. It is most likely us sized because the holes are wider than the metric stratocaster sized.

Sorry if spelling is whack I am using iPhone !

_________________
Thorny

I used a Wilkinson 5+1 for my X195 and it fit beautifully and looked the part! I've since got an OEM bridge for it; do you want the Wilkinson?

_________________
"... and on the eighth day, God created New Zealanders.

Because even the Australians need heroes."

That is the one with the pop-in arm with the set screw for tension right? Yes, that is what I was going to exchange it for at GFS. Should I or should I get it from you and just get a refund. I haven't even shipped this one back yet.

The spacing is INDEED the same as a vintage strat - at least the holes are - outside center to center at 2-3/16" (some say 2-7/32") or 56.5mm. GFS sells 3 or 4 ones that will fit, an inexpensive one, one with a steel block, one with a brass block, and the Wilkinson with a steel block. These are really common bridges on these series guitars, and many stock ones get broken because people tighten them down and crack the base and then the stock bridge is ruined. In this case, this funky old Floyd Rose Vintage strat style bridge was "upgraded" probably ages ago on this guitar. The guitar is otherwise in pretty exceptional condition.

Send me a PM or Email and let me know - If yours is the black model and complete I'd just as soon buy yours. Once the bridge is installed it looks 99% vintage correct and may actually play better than stock. I wasn't looking for the parts here, I was just amazed that so much of what I ordered was screwed up! I hate messing things up and am very selective and try to order the right parts.

And I really need 3 of those repro knobs, although my X195 has them, my westone FX needs 3 of them. The guy from the Westie forum said he'd get back with me after the holidays, but hasn't yet. I'll have to ping him and see if he can do it now.

I have this funky strat floyd rose bridge here - weird. It does not appear to be a bad bridge, it just looks completely wrong on this X195.

_________________
Thorny

Metric knobs...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/260661346059?ss ... 1423.l2649

oooh - very NICE!

I changed gears on you though, I am looking for the push/pull "reese cup" knobs that they transitioned over to the Westones. A guy on that forum makes them. I have two guitars that can use them. One has the knobs on it that you show there (the speed knobs with notches in them).

But being able to find those is a good thing too. Glad to know someone is making them. I like the notches because you can grip them a bit easier. I am sure someone needs a set or 3 of those right now on the Forum. They have not been easy to find. I suspect cool knobs will make a comeback again on new guitars because it is an easy and cheap way to make your guitar stand out slightly. The new electra knobs are an excellent example of this. It does not cost a lot more to use a distinctive piece of molded plastic on your guitar, but it can surely change the looks. The newest PRSs are also and excellent example.

_________________
Thorny

Those beveled "reese cup" knobs are impossible to find even tougher than Ibanez sure grip 1's. Hope the Westie guy comes through for you.

I bought 2 of those 5+1s after Cosair recommended them and they are pretty good. I have seen the heavier custom blocks for the Wilkinson on different sites, but they are pretty heavy out of the box. They lined up good on my X175s.

_________________
SlmGuy

I have the wilkinson bridge installed and it works perfectly and almost looks stock again. The guitar is back up and running, and I've got a pic listed in another section where everyone is showing of their x195s. It looks a good 95%, all stock pickups, knobs, and electronics. It has the replaced bridge which is nearly like the standard (maybe a bit better), and I do have locking keys that fit the same holes. So it is slightly improved. My stock keys had one of them missing a cover on one of them (round disk covering the gear itself fell off). There are a few extra holes on the headstock but they are not very visible. I swapped a plastic truss rod cover off another electra phoenix and it covered most of the smaller holes from the aftermarket lock they had behind the nut (on top of the truss rod cover).

_________________
Thorny