New Bridge Not Centered - Saddles Angled

[Junk Yard Dog]

So my luthier just put on my new Hipshot bridge on my HH Tele and it's crooked. To compensate, he just angled the saddles a bit. See he picture below:

I would like to reset it completely centered, which means new holes and filling the old ones, I guess. I'm not a tech. I'm pretty pissed off and he's phoned it in, so I'm not going to bother, but I'm thinking of taking it to new tech to get centered.

However, it plays fine and the intonation is fine. Is this a big deal or no? Does it hurt the guitar, bridge or saddles in any way? The nut and former bridge and neck were aligned perfectly centered before.

Anyone have experience with this? If so, thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[JackBootedThug]

that would drive me crazy.

 

[RG955TT]

Yup, not cool, would make me crazy

 

[Badronald]

Not acceptable.
On a positive note it looks like the screws are under the saddles

 

[Junk Yard Dog]

Yup, I'm pretty annoyed I did not get my money's worth and will have to spend more again on another tech to fix it. Seriously, this is the third in two years he "phoned it in" on three of my guitars and just did not take proper care in his work. Obviously, he thinks this is acceptable work. I will never use him again: lesson learned. Nice guy, but he's lost my business.

I'll take it to another tech to get it straightened.

 

[Junk Yard Dog]

Not acceptable.
On a positive note it looks like the screws are under the saddles

Yup, this guitar is not one I'm planning to sell off, as it sounds and plays great. I have two of these; at least the other one has the bridge on straight: ha! So, I'm not too concerned about filling and drilling new holes. The bridge is a Hipshot; it seems to have added some mojo to the tone. Acoustically, the guitar seems more alive than before with the older bridge. Not cheap, but a good value.

 

[xzyryabx]

Yup, I'm pretty annoyed I did not get my money's worth and will have to spend more again on another tech to fix it. Seriously, this is the third in two years he "phoned it in" on three of my guitars and just did not take proper care in his work. Obviously, he thinks this is acceptable work. I will never use him again: lesson learned. Nice guy, but he's lost my business.

I'll take it to another tech to get it straightened.

How did you even get yourself to take out your wallet and pay the prick after you saw his work?!
The LEAST you should have done is chewed him out, grabbed your guitar and left.


and what exactly is this "phoned it in"?

 

[Junk Yard Dog]

Yup, I'm pretty annoyed I did not get my money's worth and will have to spend more again on another tech to fix it. Seriously, this is the third in two years he "phoned it in" on three of my guitars and just did not take proper care in his work. Obviously, he thinks this is acceptable work. I will never use him again: lesson learned. Nice guy, but he's lost my business.

I'll take it to another tech to get it straightened.

How did you even get yourself to take out your wallet and pay the prick after you saw his work?!
The LEAST you should have done is chewed him out, grabbed your guitar and left.


and what exactly is this "phoned it in"?

I was in and out; my mistake. I played it and it felt and sounded great. I didn't notice until I got home.

"phoned it in" means just blowing through and not really caring. Giving up.

 

[dfrattaroli]

That's just bad work. He should fix it as that's what you paid for.

 

[dfrattaroli]

What bridge was on it? Are those 2 holes from the previous bridge?

 

[Junk Yard Dog]

Yes, two holes from a wider humbucker tele bridge. It was cheap and not flat, so it causes microphonic noise with my high gain heads. I have the same guitar in black and had to replace that bridge as well. These bridges on tele' that house the bridge pickup can cause noise issues if they are not perfectly flat with the body. It is easier just to replace them, though I like the look of them.

 

[glassjaw7]

Yikes. I would be pissed. That's almost as bad as Fender knowingly using the wrong size bridge on the MIM Cabronita Telecasters. Strings don't line up with the pole pieces and the high E bends right off the neck if you're not careful. Great guitar otherwise.


Before and after replacement. Not my pic - I have yet to replace mine

 

[moltenmetalburn]

That's just bad work. He should fix it as that's what you paid for.

Ditto. Money back if your not confident he can succeed.

 

[Stumplegriltskin]

OMG this shit drives me nuts. That guy should have his fucking hands chopped off. Can't stand fuckheads working on stuff. That's why I do everything myself. I could find the best luthier on the planet and it still would be fucked up.

 

[Stumplegriltskin]

Listen. Take the thing apart, get the proper wooden dowels that will fit in the holes. Cut the dowels a tad shorter than the screw length. Fill the holes with wood glue and put the dowels in the hole, tapping then in gently, flush with the top. Wipe off the excess glue with a wet rag. Let them dry overnight.

Then put the bridge over the dowels and shift the bridge to the right about 1/8" or less and mark in the center of the bridge holes with a sharp marker. There's a little more to this than what I'm explaining. You have to make sure all your lines are straight as far as how the bridge sits on the top. You could put a piece of tape behind the bridge to mark the length. Then loosen the strings and with the screws out of the bridge / top, eyeball and center it and put a piece of tape on the right of the bridge. Then take the strings off and line up the bridge with your tape marks, which should be like a 90 deg angle. Then get a drill bit with the proper size bit. Take the screws for the bridge and measure them. Take that measurement and measure the drill bit and put a piece of masking tape at the end of the measurement or a little less. Drill new holes, not going deeper than the tape.

This is easy shit man. I could have this done in 1/2 hour or less. Fucking cant stand butchers working on guitars.

 

[Stumplegriltskin]

Couldn't even wipe his god damn finger prints off either. Oh I hate this fucking guy whoever he is.

 

[snowdog]

In the world of replacement parts it's complicated. There are at least a few different spacings even for hardtails.

Did you buy this bridge and have him put it on?

Either way he should have been smart enough to know that the spacing wasn't right, and not installed it.

 

[Junk Yard Dog]

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions, gents!

It is without a doubt the exact, correct and right spacing: 54mm (2 1/8) as the bridge before. He just didn't line it up. I took it to another tech at lunch tpday and he confirmed; it will line up perfectly, but " the dude just doesn't know what a ruler is or how to use one." I could probably do it myself, but don't have the time.

Lesson learned. Cheers!

 

[toddbz]

Someone did my shit like that, I'm sure as hell not giving them another shot at REALLY fucking it up.
Ask for your money back or just write it off and find someone who respects your equipment.