Edge bridge repairs - post & knife edge

[jd]

Help!

I recently bought me an old-ish purple RG550 w/maple board (seem hard to come by in the UK), but I've managed to scr*w up the bridge... although I think maybe it was in a bad way in the first place....

Basically I've been forcing the low-E post to lower the action. The set screw wouldn't budge so out came the PLIERS. The allen key seemed to turn a ways so I figured it'd given a little, but I still couldn't turn the main one - so again, PLIERS... then CRACK Yup, half the allen socket sheared off the top.

Now if I understand right, this should've turned even if the set screw was tight, right? So was the post bad in the first place, maybe rusted up or something??

The knife edge at the high-E post has a big chunk missing too - looks kinda like this :
____O___
____\/__|

so this is gonna need work too. So, the questions:

• Can I simply get the post and the knife edge replaced?
• Where can a get this done at reasonable cost in/around London (UK)?

My nearest place is Chandlers, but they're gonna be TOO expensive... anyone know a good place I can take her, and about how much I should pay to sort out my bad DIY??

Thanks!
- JD

[Rich]

If the allen wrench didn't turn freely then all you did was bend the wrench. You'll have to take the pliers to the post to remove it, hopefully you won't spin the anchor which happens quite often with locked in posts. Try to use a jerking motion to release it as opposed to slow even presure, slow and even will spin the anchor much easier.

The curve knife is supposed to be like that and keeps the trem centered!

[Fabe]

Originally Posted by Rich

The curve knife is supposed to be like that and keeps the trem centered!

Wooah... Deja vu

Fabe

[jd]

I posted this in the wrong place originally, not spotting this area, but did at least rummage around the archive first... I found the other thread about the knife edge after this'd been moved here!

Originally Posted by Rich

You'll have to take the pliers to the post to remove it, hopefully you won't spin the anchor which happens quite often with locked in posts.

Now pardon me for being dense... even though I've royally buggered up the topmost hole you think I should get the tiny wrench back down there and yank it round some more?! Well, I guess if the post is knackered already, that isn't going to hurt it none... Even if I do manage to unlock it, I'm thinking I won't be able to adjust the bridge height anyway, no?

[Rich]

Your "hole" is fine, your post is broken. Obviously it will need to be removed and replaced with a good one. Pliers to remove the post.

[jd]

Aahhh... (Duh!) Thanks Rich. IYHO replacing a post isn't too large a project for a nervous and kak handed amateur guitar mechanic then?!

So now I just need to find a place in London that stocks Edge parts... (any suggestions anyone?)

[Rich]

Just follow instructions

www.ibanezrules.com/tech.htm