How to Shorten OFR String Clamp Screws

[Trussrod]

I wanted to put an OFR in a Washburn Dimebolt 333 and realized the clamp screws that hold the strings onto the bridge were too long to fit in the trem route and would eventually damage the top of the guitar. These screws can be shortened and here’s a brief tutorial on one way of doing it.

[Sunbane]

Awesome! I actually never figured it would be so easy to do it, since I automatically thought "machine lathe". Great idea to use a die to do it!

[Trussrod]

Awesome! I actually never figured it would be so easy to do it, since I automatically thought "machine lathe". Great idea to use a die to do it!

Thanks Sunbane--glad you liked it. I have a lot of tools and enjoy tinkering.

[RobRR]

I did basically the same thing a while ago as well when I needed to shorten them. Worked great! Never figured out why they make them so damn long, theres no reason for it, even intonation wise!

[CKJ]

They're to long...?

[Trussrod]

They're to long...?

They are on mine, but I'm using a 1980's OFR. The trem route on my guitar is for an OFR, not a 580-style base plate. Here's a pic to compare. Where and when was your Dimebolt made?

[CKJ]

Damn... I wish mine was routed for a OFR rather than the Washburn 600-S. It drives me insane looking at them (both Dimeslime & Dimebolt). Both of my 333 guitars were made in 98. As for the location I'm not aware, any tips on how you tell?

[Trussrod]

Last year I did a search on "Dimebolt" on the Washburn forum and found pages of posts on Dime's signature models. There is a link on the Washburn site that helps date and identify the general location the guitars were made. IIRC mine was made in Malaysia. I really like the fact I can drop in an OFR but I like the tone I get with the stock trem. I did end up switching the original block to a brass block from an OFR. Sounds great now even with the stock pups.

[CKJ]

Just looked it up, it says if its has the S infront of the serial number then its made in the Samick factory in Korea. Which both of my 333's have the S.

[Hellraiser6502]

Ummmm...

Why bother to shorten them???

Dime says: 'We don't need no stinkin' shortnin' .'

[Trussrod]

Why bother to shorten them???

Dime says: 'We don't need no stinkin' shortnin' .'

Lol.

[dg]

Just adding a few phrases to help this thread show up in google searches. Had a bitch of a time finding it.

shorter string lock screw
shorter floyd string lock screw
shorten string lock screw
shorten floyd string lock screw

This method should also work to shorten the original screws, but if you shorten them a whole lot you may need to use the die to add more threads toward the head of the bolt.

[Sharkfin]

I can't verify that these screw would work, but it looks like they might? They have Metric M4 socket cap screws in multiple lengths. Thoughts?

http://www.mcmaster.com/#socket-head-cap-screws/=axlb2t

[warlok]

It's not really the length that's the problem with new screws, the shorter length is readily available. It's finding that length with the tip turned down to fit the blocks.