Can’t turn thumbwheels on Gretsch bridge

scarry67

I’m trying to raise the action on my new Streamliner but even with strings slackened right down I can’t turn them with bare hands. Should I be adjusting height of the slot head screws in the tuneomatic bridge instead? I’m used to Teles so this is newish to me...

scarry67

In fact, am I right in thinking thumbwheels are simply part of slot head screw unit?! Screwdriver out...

ICBM

Stop! If the posts are stuck you will chew up the screwdriver slots.

If the wheels are stuck it's most likely because the two sides are set at too different a height and it's binding. Slacken the strings completely, lift the bridge off by hand and turn the wheel which is lower until the bridge can go back and both wheels turn easily.

scarry67

I’ve got a feeling that this is a cheap bridge with thumbwheels as “decorative” presence? 

ICBM

scarry67 said:

I’ve got a feeling that this is a cheap bridge with thumbwheels as “decorative” presence? 

You should still be able to turn the wheels by hand, although not necessarily under full string tension.

scarry67

I’ll remove strings soon and examine it more closely...