Tune o matic problems

[DesmondWafers]

Got a wonderful starfire IV today, with just a small issue. The high e is cranked all the way, yet is still a little flat. Yeah, I know, do a google search. Well I've had this issue before (Like 4 times on sg's) and everyone always says "Flip the saddles". As you can see, the saddles are already flipped. The action is relatively standard, a little over 2mm on the bass 12th fret and a little under 2mm on the treble. The neck is relatively straight with enough relief. As far as I know, those are the 2 biggest factors besides the bridge that contribute to intonation, so I'm a little lost.

The thing is, the high is just barely flat. Enough so that nobody would ever notice. Unfortunately, I noticed, so I need to find a solution. I also don't like the idea that I have no room for adjustment should I go for heavier strings (10's right now). Any tips? I wonder if I could just put a different bridge on there with a greater adjustment range, but that seems sort of like a band aid solution. The bridge is a Japanese gotoh, which I'm not sure is stock or not.

Here's a pic of the saddles. I REALLY don't want to think that the bridge might perhaps be a little misplaced, so I await OSG's sage-like wisdom.

[Larry Mal]

So, what bridge is that, then? I can't quite tell from the pictures. Is that a Nashville bridge?

I really doubt this would fit:

http://www.wdmusic.com/kluson_harmonica ... _khbs.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

But maybe it gives you some ideas.

[DesmondWafers]

I'm pretty ignorant of these type of bridges, but nashville I think? It doesn't have the wire retainers sticking out. The post holes are much larger than a regular TOM as well. The exact model is a gotoh 103b, I believe.

[Larry Mal]

It's hard to eyeball it, but it looks like the bridges that Epiphone uses (as opposed to Gibson).

So you'd look for a replacement for that, if I'm correct. There's this, made by Schaller:

http://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Par ... DUEALw_wcB" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Doesn't look like it would offer much more throw.

I don't know. That's frustrating. An old problem returning. This is a new guitar?

[Larry Mal]

This guitar?

http://guildguitars.com/g/starfire-iv-s ... ald-green/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[DesmondWafers]

Nah, it's 20 years old and returns aren't an option here really. Honestly I wouldn't want to anyway, it's a fantastic guitar in every other aspect.

[DesmondWafers]

It's actually one of the older american made ones, I'm not sure if those new reissues use the same hardware. I've seen this on so many guitars, almost every new gibson I've played. It's ridiculous, but since it's such a common problem, I really doubt that the only answer is redrilling the bridge. That harmonica bridge honestly looks like agood solution, but I don't think the post holes would fit.

[Larry Mal]

Yeah, the harmonica bridge is like the original solution, but it doesn't even fit Gibsons before or after that harmonica bridge era, so I really doubt it will fit this without changing the post holes.

[DesmondWafers]

As per Mr.Erlewine's instruction here, I measured the neck. The bridge appears to be in the right spot, but what do I know. All I'll say is that it's amazing to watch that guy fix guitars.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYJIXdlOg-o" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Larry Mal]

Maybe this would have more travel length.

http://www.fullcontacthardware.com/fch- ... bridge.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[gunlak]

make sure the tailpiece is high enough that the strings passing through arent touching the back of the bridge base itself.

if that doesnt fix it, try refiling the saddle groove a bit. see if it seats differently (or swap out from the other plain strings)

lastly, a new/different set of strings might help

[DesmondWafers]

Some guy on letstalkguild.com pm'd me and asked for the serial number. At first I thought he was crazy, but it turns out he's some sort of massive expert and a small batch of these were misdrilled in 1997. Guild accepted them as returns at the time. Trying to get a refund from the ebay buyer now, I think this might end up being difficult, he had no returns listed...

[Larry Mal]

Ugh. Sorry, brother.

[DesmondWafers]

Contrary to all of my previous experience, the guy accepted the return no problem. It was super nice and it sucks that I got one of the (apparently very few) lemons guild makes.

[Larry Mal]

Still a hassle since you liked the instrument. What's your next step?