Hex Key for Fender Strat Bridge....

[FenderBender03]

Anyone know what size hex key is needed for the saddles on a Fender US original style strat bridge? I wanna raise the action just a hair on my Hwy. 1 Strat and the hex key i have came with the first strat i ever owned, which was a Mexican model i had about 8 years ago. The one i got with the Mex strat back then is about a size larger than what i need..... anyone know what size i need???



FenderBender

[Adam]

.05 allen wrench right? Thats what my American Series saddles are.

[FenderBender03]

Hmm, .05 sounds like it might be close. We had one that size at work today that i was looking at, may have to get that one at check it out! Would the American Series saddles be different than the vintage style thats on my Hwy. 1?


Thanks Adam



FenderBender

[Adam]

Shouldn't be different at all my man, my .05 seemed to fit my MIM Fender Fat Strat when I had it long ago. So thats the one you need to get. Enjoy adjusting it.

WARNING:

Once you start fiddling with the action you'll adjust it for a day, play it for a month, and you'll eventually start changing it everything month. Or atleast I did when I started fiddling with it, the beauty of a strat is well, just how easy they are to manage.

You'll adjust it to your mood, sometimes you'll want it high, sometimes low.

Eventually you'll find some common ground, its nothing but fun really. But yeah, .05 is the one.

Just noticed your from kentucky, thats 3 that I know of now on this board. Awsomeness.

[FenderBender03]

Thanks for the info Adam.... the few strats i've owned before all got a "custom action setting" at one time or another. Makes a real difference when you can get it where you want it.



FenderBender

[octavedoctor]

It [i]is /[i].050", but the Fender grub screws are badly milled and often the key is a sloppy fit. There is a material called "Screwgrab" this is a grit paste which you put on the Allen Key and it multiplies the torque by about a factor of five by filling the gaps and all the gritty bits "locking" together so that the key doesn't slip.
http://www.solder-it.com/solderpaste.asp

[octavedoctor]

Would the American Series saddles be different than the vintage style thats on my Hwy. 1?

If the parts are American, then the sizes will be imperial; i.e. .050" 1/8", 3/16" etc.

If the parts are Japanese, Korean or European (e.g. Floyd Rose) the parts will use metric sizes.

Most import Fenders seem to use 1.5mm Allen Keys for the saddles.