Bridges and hardware take a lot of wear. Saddles wear grooves, tremolos lose their stability, and replacement parts don’t always fit the way the listing promised. At TuneUp Guitar in Redding we install hardware and make it work right.
What we install and adjust
- Bridges. Tune-o-matic, hardtail, wraparound, Tele style, and bass bridges.
- Tremolos. Vintage and two point Strat style, Bigsby style, and floating trems.
- Saddles. Replacement saddles for electric, acoustic, and bass, including compensated acoustic saddles.
- Tailpieces and studs. Including loose or leaning studs.
- Drop-in upgrades. Parts sold as direct replacements that need a little help to fit.
- Other hardware. Control plates, jack plates, string trees, and bridge pins.
Making parts fit
Replacement parts are rarely as plug and play as they look. Screw holes don’t line up, string spacing is different, or the bridge sits too high or low. We check fit before installing, plug and redrill screw holes when needed, and make sure the bridge is in the right spot for good intonation.
Common problems we fix
- Tremolo won’t return to pitch
- Bridge leans forward or sits crooked
- Saddles buzz or rattle
- Strings slip off the saddle or pop out of the slots
- Height screws stripped or stuck
- Acoustic saddle too tall, too short, or not sitting flat
After the install
New hardware changes how the guitar plays, so we set string height and intonation as part of the job. If you want the full treatment, add a guitar setup. Swapping tuners at the same time? See tuner replacement.
Bring it in
Most hardware jobs are done in a day or two at our shop on Redcliff Drive in Redding. Players come in from all over the Redding area.
Guitar Bridge and Hardware Fitment questions
I bought a drop-in replacement bridge and it doesn't fit. Can you help?
Yes. Drop-in parts often need small adjustments. We'll figure out what's off and make it fit properly without hacking up your guitar.
Can you make my tremolo stay in tune?
Usually, yes. Tremolo tuning trouble often comes from spring tension, a binding nut, or worn parts. We set it up and fix what's causing it.
Do I need a setup after a bridge change?
Yes. A new bridge changes string height and intonation, so we include a basic adjustment with the install.