Harley Benton SG Junior update/bridge change

[Grizzlyman]

If the posts are already bent, the only thing that will fix it is to either straighten them ore replace them. The thing that bends the post is when the exposed threaded portion is asked to hold the string tension through stiffness alone. The threaded part is the weakest part, and unsupported by the threaded bushing that is the place it will bend. '

Ideally, the flat base of your post should be in direct contact with the top of the guitar to help spread the force out over a larger area and eliminate the bending force on the threads. If you need to adjust the action height, you will want to use a spacer washer of the exact thickness needed to place your bridge/tail piece at the desired height. When you snug the post against the spacer most of the forces that want to bend the threads will be exerted in other directions and spread over a wider area of the top.

Step one is to verify if the posts are bent, or if there is some other problem. They look bent to me, but photos can sometimes trick the eye.

If the posts are bent, I would get some replacements, install them and adjust the action height. The space between the base of the post and the top of the guitar will still be there, so you will need to measure it and make (or have made) a couple of spacers of the exact thickness needed to allow the posts to be snugged down (not super tight) with the bridge at the proper height and the issue won't return. That is what I would do anyways. The spacers will spread most of the forces that bent the posts in a safer direction.

Sounds like a good plan.
As I mentioned above, the bridge cannot come down any lower, the action is as low as it can be.
So, check the posts, replace if bent.
Measure distance between bottom of the flat base and the top of the guitar, and get/make spacers to fill in the gap.
Is that about right?
Thanks for the advice BTW!

 

[Go Nigel Go]

Yup That's it. The most difficult part of the fix is making the spacers to fit the precise dimensions needed. It is easy for even an amateur machinist, but a bit more difficult for the home hobbyist with few tools on hand. If you can't figure out a way yourself, it might be wise to try and get some help with that step. I will be curious what you find on closer inspection of the posts and pockets.

I would probably use metal washers, but even wood or a solid plastic would probably be enough to do the trick. The threads are almost strong enough on their own, they just need a little help in this sort of situation.

 

[Grizzlyman]

Yup That's it. The most difficult part of the fix is making the spacers to fit the precise dimensions needed. It is easy for even an amateur machinist, but a bit more difficult for the home hobbyist with few tools on hand. If you can't figure out a way yourself, it might be wise to try and get some help with that step. I will be curious what you find on closer inspection of the posts and pockets.

I would probably use metal washers, but even wood or a solid plastic would probably be enough to do the trick. The threads are almost strong enough on their own, they just need a little help in this sort of situation.

Excellent! Thanks!
Right… off down the rabbit hole I go!

 

[DrBGood]

I have yet to see that kind of post bend under string tension. They are thick enough not to be affected by strings only. The wood that houses them though, is like 100 times softer than the post and bushing metal. I'll be watching where this goes.

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[Grizzlyman]

I have yet to see that kind of post bend under string tension. They are thick enough not to be affected by strings only. The wood that houses them though, is like 100 times softer than the post and bushing metal. I'll be watching where this goes.

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Haha! Me too man!
At the end of the day, down the line I can always pick up a Gibson SG Junior and just retrofit everything to that, so no big deal.
It’s funny though, for a lefty my only options were the Harley Benton for £152 or a custom made Jaydee SG for £1500.
There aren’t any left handed Gibson SG Juniors available anywhere in the U.K. used or new!
Even if I have to sort out some reinforcement for the bridge posts, like dowelling and re drilling or adding a metal baseplate or something, it’s still a fun little experiment!