Only Two Screws on Thumb Bridge?

[leond]

I just took delivery of my very first Warwick. It's a Thumb bolt on four string. I believe it from 1999; the serial number ends with 99 and it has a wenge neck. Everything seems to be working. I'll probably put some new strings on it tomorrow and set it up.

So I'm looking at the procedure to set the bass up. And this is where I run into a problem. I read the following in the setup section:

Warwicks have a standard 2-piece bridge, and the piece that houses the string saddles has six bolts in it; three on the top and three on the bottom. These bolts are all hex-screws. The two in the middle are bigger; these are to lock the bridge at whatever height you set it at. The bolts in each corner are to adjust the height of the bridge at both ends.

Well, this bass that I have only has two screws on the bridge; the two bigger middle screws. The four smaller aren't there. I can see wood thru the holes in the bridge.

My questions are:

1. Am I correct in assuming there should be six screws?

2. Should I still be able to set the bass up without the four smaller screws? It seems like the bridge is currently resting on the body. And the strings are currently kind of high. I think I'd like to lower them a little.

3. What's the best way to get the bridge up to spec with all the screws?

Thanks for the help and I'll give a proper introduction, pics and impressions once I get it set up and have a chance to play it a bit.

LeonD

 

[trujo777]

check the online manual and throw us some pics please. it is always nice to see the newest addition of a new Warwick owner. :wink:

 

[ThirdthumB]

1. Am I correct in assuming there should be six screws?

yes, as described in the Warwick manual.

2. Should I still be able to set the bass up without the four smaller screws? It seems like the bridge is currently resting on the body. And the strings are currently kind of high. I think I'd like to lower them a little.

That seems odd. If you don't have the four screws, then the bridge should be at its lowest position, which means that the strings are also as low as possible. I wouldn't be surprised if you would get serious fretbuzz. Since this is not the case, and you say that the strings appear to be high, I think that the previous owner put a block of wood underneath the bridge (non adjustable)

3. What's the best way to get the bridge up to spec with all the screws?

You can buy the screws either via the Warwick.de webshop or you can contact your distributor and inquire about them.

And welcome to the forum.

 

[Grgzilla]

Or a much cheaper option would be to buy the screws from a hardware shop or screw supplier.They're 2.5mm grub screws. :wink:
Congrats on your new Thumb Leond & welcome to Warwick bass heaven.

 

[ThirdthumB]

Or a much cheaper option would be to buy the screws from a hardware shop or screw supplier.They're 2.5mm grub screws. :wink:

Oh yeah..............that does make perfect sense.....

 

[Grgzilla]

Well, this bass that I have only has two screws on the bridge; the two bigger middle screws. The four smaller aren't there. I can see wood thru the holes in the bridge.
LeonD

Hey Leon.The bridge sits on a frame,which the height adjustment screws sit on.You shouldnt see wood through these holes unless maybe the frame is missing If the frame's missing the bridge isnt being grounded which can creat noise etc.If you could take some pics of your bass & then we can see exactly what's missing & go from there.
Cheers mate.

 

[trujo777]

still no pics?

 

[leond]

The new strings came in today so I pulled the bridge apart. Lo and behold (he says sheepishly :roll: ), all the screws are there. The four adjustment screws were screwed ALL the way down. What I thought was the wood, was actually the top of the screw way down there.

Thanks for all the replies and support. It's very appreciated.

One thing I did find, the first three frets are pretty worn with the first fret terrible. Under the E string on the first fret is literally a valley; more than half the thickness of the fret.

I don't believe all the frets should be replaced, only the first three. And even then, frets two and three aren't that bad. But the first needs to go. Any suggestions on the best way to go about this. Or is there anything different with Warwicks vs. other basses.

Thanks again,
LeonD

 

[Grgzilla]

Ya know,I've gotta mouse pad that's a Thumb bass,& when i read your post I looked at the bridge on the mouse pad & thought,how can he see wood thru those holes.
As for the frets you need to take it to a luthier.You can buy Warwick fret wire from either the webshop or an online supplier,like musician's friend.MF would be the cheaper option.