Bronco Vibrato parts and restoration?
- BroncoProblems
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Bronco Vibrato parts and restoration?
Hello everyone, looking for some help and/or opinions.
Got a decent deal on a 1967 Fender Bronco. All original, save for some previous modifications on the bridge/vibrato system that I'd like to try to return to as close to original as I can get.
The two original bolts that held the upper bridge plate to the body had been replaced by the everyday drywall screws you see here. Right now the guitar is playing fine, just playing it as a hard tail.
As you can see, a previous owner installed a Mustang style vibrato. The dowels you see were installed by the shop from which I purchased the guitar. They are there to make the connection between the lower vibrato plate and the body more secure and seem to be doing that job well.
The missing bolts, from what I understand, originally screwed into threaded thimbles set in the body, allowing you to raise/lower the bridge, and securing the top bridge plate against the vibrato plate. The way this is set up now, the screws simply secure the plate to the body of the guitar, not allowing for much vibrato action, and not allowing any bridge height adjustment.
Finding similar bolts is probably not too difficult, but I would imagine that finding these original thimbles would be near impossible at this point. If I were able to find something resembling the original bolts, would it be a good idea to perhaps secure some 5/16" nuts to the underside of the lower vibrato plate, serving the same function as the thimbles in holding the bolts but also allowing for height adjustment and motion?
Got a decent deal on a 1967 Fender Bronco. All original, save for some previous modifications on the bridge/vibrato system that I'd like to try to return to as close to original as I can get.
The two original bolts that held the upper bridge plate to the body had been replaced by the everyday drywall screws you see here. Right now the guitar is playing fine, just playing it as a hard tail.
As you can see, a previous owner installed a Mustang style vibrato. The dowels you see were installed by the shop from which I purchased the guitar. They are there to make the connection between the lower vibrato plate and the body more secure and seem to be doing that job well.
The missing bolts, from what I understand, originally screwed into threaded thimbles set in the body, allowing you to raise/lower the bridge, and securing the top bridge plate against the vibrato plate. The way this is set up now, the screws simply secure the plate to the body of the guitar, not allowing for much vibrato action, and not allowing any bridge height adjustment.
Finding similar bolts is probably not too difficult, but I would imagine that finding these original thimbles would be near impossible at this point. If I were able to find something resembling the original bolts, would it be a good idea to perhaps secure some 5/16" nuts to the underside of the lower vibrato plate, serving the same function as the thimbles in holding the bolts but also allowing for height adjustment and motion?
- s_mcsleazy
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Re: Bronco Vibrato parts and restoration?
i'm sure pat will be along soon because he knows these guitars inside out (i still dream about his old broncoblaster)
offset guitars resident bass player.
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'Are you trying to seduce me Mrs Robinson? Or do you just want me to solder a couple of resistors into your Muff?'
- cooterfinger
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Re: Bronco Vibrato parts and restoration?
I studied these bridges for awhile years ago. PM me your email and I'll send you what info I have. I started a list of screw type, sizes and lengths. I also found that you can use small Floyd Rose trem posts as a replacement for the post you're missing.
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- andy_tchp
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Re: Bronco Vibrato parts and restoration?
5/16 “Threaded inserts” is the search term you are looking for. You’ll end up with a whole bag of them for <$20.BroncoProblems wrote: ↑Wed Feb 09, 2022 11:41 amFinding similar bolts is probably not too difficult, but I would imagine that finding these original thimbles would be near impossible at this point.
"I don't know why we asked him to join the band 'cause the rest of us don't like country music all that much; we just like Graham Lee."
David McComb, 1987.
David McComb, 1987.
- BroncoProblems
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Re: Bronco Vibrato parts and restoration?
cooterfinger wrote: ↑Thu Feb 10, 2022 2:12 amI studied these bridges for awhile years ago. PM me your email and I'll send you what info I have. I started a list of screw type, sizes and lengths. I also found that you can use small Floyd Rose trem posts as a replacement for the post you're missing.
Message sent
- Deltakidd
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Re: Bronco Vibrato parts and restoration?
Hi all,
I'm new here and in need of some help. In my Fender Bronco bridge I have some metric screws that dont hold the saddle very well, so it moves and has vibration issues when playing. I'm addressing to you because i'm (desperately) trying to find the original saddles screws online to replace them, and wanted to ask you if you know the exact measure.
Thanks in advance.
I'm new here and in need of some help. In my Fender Bronco bridge I have some metric screws that dont hold the saddle very well, so it moves and has vibration issues when playing. I'm addressing to you because i'm (desperately) trying to find the original saddles screws online to replace them, and wanted to ask you if you know the exact measure.
Thanks in advance.
- Teebz999
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Re: Bronco Vibrato parts and restoration?
Message also sent !BroncoProblems wrote: ↑Thu Feb 10, 2022 10:46 amcooterfinger wrote: ↑Thu Feb 10, 2022 2:12 amI studied these bridges for awhile years ago. PM me your email and I'll send you what info I have. I started a list of screw type, sizes and lengths. I also found that you can use small Floyd Rose trem posts as a replacement for the post you're missing.
Message sent
- mjd78
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Re: Bronco Vibrato parts and restoration?
Teebz999 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 17, 2023 2:20 pmMessage also sent !BroncoProblems wrote: ↑Thu Feb 10, 2022 10:46 amI am doing the exact same thing! Would you mind sharing any information you have as I have along way ahead of me! Thank you so much!cooterfinger wrote: ↑Thu Feb 10, 2022 2:12 amI studied these bridges for awhile years ago. PM me your email and I'll send you what info I have. I started a list of screw type, sizes and lengths. I also found that you can use small Floyd Rose trem posts as a replacement for the post you're missing.
Message sent
- mjd78
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- mjd78
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