| Author |
Message |
Eddiet
Username: Eddiet
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 08, 2006 - 8:00 am: | |
Hi there,
I have an AFR-105 that has two cracked bridge saddles. The piezos still work, it's just the moving part of the saddle with the height adjusters on it that needs replacing.
Can anyone here tell me if they are compatible with another monorail model, or if these parts can be gotten somewhere?
Thanks! |
Shackman
Username: Shackman
Registered: 08-2005
| | Posted on Friday, March 17, 2006 - 7:15 pm: | |
Hi there. I'm also an AFR 105 owner. So at least there's two of us here. They are rare birds.
Have you contacted Ibanez Japan?...doubtful but worth a try....
Have you looked at bridge saddle pieces from similar configuration basses, whether Ibanez or not?
Particularly a part from the "reincarnated" AFR design, the current Ibanez EDA series, sometimes known as the Ergodyne. Maybe the saddle part will fit within your existing bridge piece.
As a long shot, would a guitar bridge saddle of any kind fit?
If none of the above, I would take out one of the remaining 3 good ones and get a local machine shop to mill up a duplicate. Most likely the part is medium density steel. You may have to do this a few times with a variety of materials in order to get a compatible piece for fit and sound.
How did you come across yr AFR?...do you like it and what do you use it for?...did you know that only approx 1000 of these were made, so you've got something quite unusual there...and lastly, how do you like the sound and features?
Also, where are you located?
Shackman |
Eddiet
Username: Eddiet
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 11:37 pm: | |
Hey Man from the Shack,
"Not yet", about Ibanez Japan, I contacted my local Ibanez dealer who said he could get me new monorails to fit. They cost $95 each but I thought "what the hey", I love this bass. They arrived this morning and though they are Piezo'd monorails, they won't fit. For starters they had through-the-body string holes. And other insurmountable differences... So they go back tomorrow.
The monorails I received are the only available new monorail parts from the Ibanez parts list, so if that's not them (and they aren't) then I doubt new parts are available that will fit.
The problem is that the Piezo is inside the bridge saddle, so making some other part fit would be difficult.
I came across my AFR completely by accident. I was selling an old project Rickenbacker that needed a bit of work, but I didn't have time and needed the money. Getting Rick parts in Oz is another story of ridiculous stupidity in business practices....I'll tell you if you're interested...
A guy with too many basses who wanted a project offered to clean swap the AFR for the Rick. I said no, I need the money. Until I saw and played the thing that is. I fell in love. It's awesome. I play it through a Trace 300W combo w/2x10s and a horn. Man it just pumps.
I had no intention of replacing my 5-string Les Paul bass but I played it for the first time in nearly a year only last weekend! I missed the AFR that night. Got to fix those saddles!
I'm on the Gold Coast, Qld......You? |
Shackman
Username: Shackman
Registered: 08-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 12:40 am: | |
Eddiet,
Sorry for the delay. I hardly ever come here because I've almost lost hope that the posts are actually looked at by anyone who answers, particularly the so called experts or moderator. So it's a bit of a suprise to see your post. But thanks for replying. Hope you didn't lose patience with me.
Sorry the Ibanez part won't fit. I had another idea though...how about taking your cracked part to a watchmaker/jeweller, somebody who actually does fine repair work in metal, not just replaces batteries and sells rings. A guy who makes custom jewellery in other words. See if he/she can do a brazing/filling repair of the crack, preserving the piezo component. Might cost you, but what price an effective soloution?...and it keeps your bass more original.
That is worth remembering as AFR's are not just rare pretty much anywhere but quite pricey where there are one or two for sale. I found one on the net in a shop in Sweden I think for the Euro equivalent of $2700 Australian, and another in Germany for about$1700 Australian. So its worth keeping it as orig. as possible.
I am in Melbourne. I found mine also by accident, in a pawn shop in Chapel St., Prahran. I wasn't even looking for another instrument, just spotted it up on the wall and went "what is THAT?" I have played in church worship bands for years and wanted a fiver but kind of expected it to be even heavier than my four. I was rapt when I found it was actually lighter. I prefer the guitar but in my role you have to be versatile so picked up bass years ago. Current amp set up is an SWR Workingmans 2004 thru a Yorkville 300W 1*15 cab, no horn. If the situation demands it I will add an 8 Ohm 2*10 cab for more output and top end but right now it's plenty loud for a church application or the little wedding reception combo I'm practicing with.
Glad you are pleased with yours. I have no complaints about mine, other than not enough opportunities to play it. It's also neat to be playing something uncommon, particularly as I got it for $850 with an original case, tools etc. so i feel pretty blessed with the whole deal.
Eddiet, if you want to stay in touch my home email is alesyanjohn@hotmail.com...might be quicker than doing it via ICW.
Cheers, Shackman |
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