Harley Benton ST-62 Thorpy's mod attempt

StanleyAccrington

Good job sir. I wouldn't mind listening to it being played through a clean amp.

dazz

Hope it's OK to bump this somewhat old thread. 
First off congrats for the project, Thorpy, looks absolutely gorgeous. 
And now a question please, I'm considering getting a used ST-62 for 65€, looks like a good deal if it's in good shape. I would swap the trem for one of those Wilkinsons, but I found a picture in another forum of the bridge holes of an ST-62 and the spacing was 52mm (pretty much like MIM's for all I know) According to Wilkinson's specs these trems can be fit in guitars with 54 to 56 mm string spacing. Do you know what your bridge hole spacing is please?

ThorpyFX

dazz said:

Hope it's OK to bump this somewhat old thread. 
First off congrats for the project, Thorpy, looks absolutely gorgeous. 
And now a question please, I'm considering getting a used ST-62 for 65€, looks like a good deal if it's in good shape. I would swap the trem for one of those Wilkinsons, but I found a picture in another forum of the bridge holes of an ST-62 and the spacing was 52mm (pretty much like MIM's for all I know) According to Wilkinson's specs these trems can be fit in guitars with 54 to 56 mm string spacing. Do you know what your bridge hole spacing is please?

It's a long time ago now.... however the bridge I used was more universal fitting than a standard one. I.e it had elongated outer holes I think. It worked for me though 

dazz

ThorpyFX said:

dazz said:

Hope it's OK to bump this somewhat old thread. 
First off congrats for the project, Thorpy, looks absolutely gorgeous. 
And now a question please, I'm considering getting a used ST-62 for 65€, looks like a good deal if it's in good shape. I would swap the trem for one of those Wilkinsons, but I found a picture in another forum of the bridge holes of an ST-62 and the spacing was 52mm (pretty much like MIM's for all I know) According to Wilkinson's specs these trems can be fit in guitars with 54 to 56 mm string spacing. Do you know what your bridge hole spacing is please?

It's a long time ago now.... however the bridge I used was more universal fitting than a standard one. I.e it had elongated outer holes I think. It worked for me though 

Thanks, much appreciated.
Going by your pics, looks like you may have a 54mm hole spacing. Do you think enlarging the two outer holes in the bridge to fit to a 52mm body would be a bad idea? (I mean instead of redrilling the body, use a file to enlarge the two outer bridge holes). Would that damage the bridge or make it prone to rusting?

ThorpyFX

dazz said:

ThorpyFX said:

dazz said:

Hope it's OK to bump this somewhat old thread. 
First off congrats for the project, Thorpy, looks absolutely gorgeous. 
And now a question please, I'm considering getting a used ST-62 for 65€, looks like a good deal if it's in good shape. I would swap the trem for one of those Wilkinsons, but I found a picture in another forum of the bridge holes of an ST-62 and the spacing was 52mm (pretty much like MIM's for all I know) According to Wilkinson's specs these trems can be fit in guitars with 54 to 56 mm string spacing. Do you know what your bridge hole spacing is please?

It's a long time ago now.... however the bridge I used was more universal fitting than a standard one. I.e it had elongated outer holes I think. It worked for me though 

Thanks, much appreciated.
Going by your pics, looks like you may have a 54mm hole spacing. Do you think enlarging the two outer holes in the bridge to fit to a 52mm body would be a bad idea? (I mean instead of redrilling the body, use a file to enlarge the two outer bridge holes). Would that damage the bridge or make it prone to rusting?

Truthfully I just don't know, it's something you'd need to test and adjust if necessary yourself. 

rphlfmf

dazz said:

Hope it's OK to bump this somewhat old thread. 
First off congrats for the project, Thorpy, looks absolutely gorgeous. 
And now a question please, I'm considering getting a used ST-62 for 65€, looks like a good deal if it's in good shape. I would swap the trem for one of those Wilkinsons, but I found a picture in another forum of the bridge holes of an ST-62 and the spacing was 52mm (pretty much like MIM's for all I know) According to Wilkinson's specs these trems can be fit in guitars with 54 to 56 mm string spacing. Do you know what your bridge hole spacing is please?

I've done the same. Unfortunately, it seems that HB started using narrower spacings. I doubt that only enlarging the outer holes will do the trick as the other holes would be misaligned.
I'm yet to find a good and affordable bridge for this guitar (with pop-in arm) as the only ones I could find until now were expensive (Hipshot and Callaham).