Help - intonation screws for a 78 Musicmaster?

MattK · Post by **MattK** » Mon Jun 11, 2012 10:47 am

Hi guys - I bought a 1978 MM and the previous owner had replaced the saddles but included the originals - unfortunately not the intonation screws though. These are a weird thread pitch or something - I have tried 1/8" and M3 screws of various types and nothing fits. Does anyone know of a source for the intonation screws on a 78 MM?
Although the threaded saddles LOOK like the 59 Tele steel saddles, they are different widths and use different screws for both intonation and saddle height. The MM bridge saddles use hex socket screws for height adjustment which is one way to tell them apart. This is not my bridge but it's the kind of thing I mean:

So - anyone know the screw size? or know where I can buy three of them?
Thanks for any help!

jumbledupthinking · Post by **jumbledupthinking** » Mon Jun 11, 2012 1:32 pm

Don't want to de-rail your thread, but I'd recommend going for some compensated saddles over sorting the stock ones out any day of the week.

It's only been since fitting some to mine (again, a '78 musicmaster), that it's intonated even half-way decently. I got compensated brass saddles from here:
Link

Good luck!

MattK · Post by **MattK** » Mon Jun 11, 2012 1:39 pm

Thanks but I'm a three-saddle veteran from several Telecasters - I use wound G strings which minimises the problems of a three-saddle setup. No compensation!
Incidentally some research suggests the correct screw may be a 4-40 1-1/4" (Fender part 015743 from a parts bulletin PDF). Now to find a local supplier.

mezzio13 · Post by **mezzio13** » Mon Jun 11, 2012 2:25 pm

Compensating saddles are three saddle set ups, that are either tilted, or machined to give you better intonation.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessor ... ompensated

jumbledupthinking · Post by **jumbledupthinking** » Mon Jun 11, 2012 3:33 pm

^ what he said. Also, if you're using a wound 3rd, you can flip a compensated saddle over & use the non-compensated side.

MattK · Post by **MattK** » Mon Jun 11, 2012 10:13 pm

Yep, I'm totally down with the concept of compensated saddles, I'm just not into them!
Believe me - I am fussy about tuning, but I find that with the right string set, saddle height tweaks and the occasional compromise, I can get things where I want them to be. I like my guitars O.G. where possible and I enjoy living with the slight clunkiness. Crazy, huh.

MattK · Post by **MattK** » Thu Jun 14, 2012 7:28 am

In case anyone was sweating on the outcome - and I KNOW YOU ALL WERE - the 4-40 thread is correct for these saddles. So the part is a 4-40 1-1/4" screw. I got some slot head zinc ones, need chrome or nickel I guess for that vintage correct look, or just put 'em on and play it.
It turns out there is a PDF of the parts list and exploded drawings in the Library section at Offset - I should have looked there first!