The bridge to this guitar was replaced in a later video please watch it before commenting. Also i want to thank everyone for the advice about how to fix this guitar. However the problem was the bridge itself is just garbage. I could have shimmed the neck, routed out the cavity more etc but the overlord of music is a piece of trash that's not worth keeping. Trust me, dont ever buy one. And thats the main reason why i just replaced the entire bridge.
Is this bridge put on afterwards? The biggest of the problems you describe would be solved if the pocket for the bridge was routed deeper. I have one of these bridges for a guitar I'm building (No, I'm not trying to claim it's a great bridge, I assume it's crap anyway :p ) and I've been looking at steinberger guitars to see how deep I need to route the pocket... If you look at frame 1:43 you see the floating part of the bridge is entirely above the body, while in steinbergers (the guitars this bridge is copied from...) half of it is BELOW the body. So as far as I found, it should be placed 1,5cm deeper in the body!!! You can also see it be looking at the pickups. They should NEVER EVER have to be set so immensely high on guitars like this! I would suggest to get the pocket routed deeper (a few mm at a time...) and set it up each time to find the sweet spot. Place it low enough so you have to raise the strings just a little by adjusting the saddles, that way you keep some headroom for setting it up with different gauge strings. My bridge came pretty banged up in the mail. Tuning screws were bent, whammy bar is too thick to fit in the holes, saddles were to wide to all fit in the bridge... so I had to do a LOT of grinding and repairing to get it usable. Yes it's cheap, but I wouldn't advise anyone buying it unless they are prepared to put some time ion getting it to work. It's cheap for a reason!!! I'm in a position that I have to buy EVERYTHING cheap unfortunately... and I don't mind putting time in fixing it, because it helps me to get to know how everything works. But if you want to upgrade a guitar with a headless bridge, DON'T buy this one... Save up for a GOOD bridge!
People have given me a lot of advice since I put that video up such as shimming the neck or routing the body more and while i appreciate that advice, they forget one thing and that's that I would still be dealing with the overlord of music. this bridge weighs almost 2 pounds by itself you would think it's made from cast iron I've seen these on aliexpress $15 think about that 15$ for a bridge and people expected me to keep it? No way.
@@mrmisterman999 I made my comment as complete as ppssible to help enyone with similar problems ;) And yes, you're absolutely right, that bridge realy IS garbage.. That's why I ended with the advice to NOT buy it and save up for a better one ;) All the tips work for any steinberger bridge clone, and even the original :p I completely agree with your choice to go for a real bridge ;)
Just bought one of these bridge systems for about $30 from Amazon. I plan to build a guitar around it rather than try to fit it on an existing guitar. That way I should avoid most of these problems. I also plan to completely disassemble it and make minor adjustments and modifications, as well as lubricate all moving parts. I’m wondering if needs a ball on both ends.
I did fix it eventually and it was due to the bridge saddles not being all the way down when I loosened the set screw. I actually had some space that you could feel when you push the saddle down. Who ever set up the bridge put the saddles very high but after realizing I could physically push the saddle down more has given me the height reduction I needed. Also did a truss adjustment to fine tune it. Plays great now.
@@mrmisterman999 I have a headless kit guitar that someday I will finish. It has the same bridge. That side set screw locks all the saddles for intanation. Loosen it and the saddles might drop more if needed.
@@ericctheartofnoise8613 ya I was gona do that but the way it holds all the saddles down I'm afraid I'll knock them around and spend 30 mins resetting the intonation
If remove any individual string saddle to sand its bottom of each to lower its height without any other alteration to the tremolo i think that this could fix the height issue in a very easy way.Modifications to everything and technical skills is a must when mail order things without having a previous real life experience for these.
Mine came recently, so far no issues with action levels and neck relief. However the shop that I sent for setup was having issues with the nut as the strings breaks easily before locking it. They recommended me to change if, hence I ordered a new locking nut online. Hopefully by changing the whole unit it would work…
I accidentally discovered another one of the design flaws of those Overlord Of Music bridges, the threads for the master-tuning screw will have a tendency to suddenly strip-out if too much tension is put on the master-tuning spring, something that is a bit hard to avoid due to the fact that the bridge itself is made of metal that is not quite hard-enough for the job, I've had first-hand experience of the threads on the master-tuner stripping-out.
I've the original Steinberger Spirit and intend to use part of one of the cheap Overlord Trems to repair my original trem. On mine I did have to chisel out a couple of mm to get the action super low and read some where that the neck should have no relief. Dead flat in fact. I adjusted it like that, it's not a bolt on neck, and the action is ultra low without buzzes. Never had any issues with tuning with the R Trem on this model either until part of it broke but it is a good 15 years if not more old.
Does that headpiece hold the strings in place without slipping? My Chinese kit guitar came with that, i ordered a new fixed bridge (the individual barrel style) and it came with head style that has the triangular peices that clamp each string. Im not sure which would be better
I'm looking to get one of the new strandberg "style" NK models, ideally I want a trem (I think they use the same trem as your red one) but after watching your videos I'm thinking maybes it's best to go for the new hardtail model?
Hey man… I came across your video and wanted to ask if you ever considered lifting your neck instead of lowering your strings by adding a small slab of wood or plastic at the neck joint. I replaced my bridge on a tele and the company actually supplied the pieces to lift the neck. It works great and I have no tuning issues either. Maybe that could work for you as well since it’s a bolt-on neck. 👍
Use an actual Steinberger R-Trem bridge. Far more adjustment and stay in tune. The string height is designed to be adjusted with an allen key in the two holes either side of each string rest. If it's still too high, then that's a factory design fault, so you'll have to cut out a deeper hole for the bridge. The neck on these should be flat.
I’m not sure ,please forgive me if I’m wrong but to me the nut is modified from the original to take single ball strings so might not be the original part 👍
@@womplestilskin Im doing something like that! ;D But the main issue with this bridge is, the fact that tuning happens by pulling string where its wrapped around the ball, which loosens it withing few times, so "e" and "B" strings untie, but they can also brake cuz whhere those strings go under that black plate, there is a sharp edge, that scratches strings, i filed it down but still, yanking strings is too bad.. i got different bridge
@@womplestilskin yes. I dont understand why it cannot be solved. It seems a manageable issue. Shim the neck or even take off the post of the bridge and file down the wood a bit
The problem is the bridge is garbage. Sure I could have done things to accommodate it but I would still have this awful bridge. Replacing it entirely was a better option
the trem on my red chinese guitar isnt an overlord of music its just some 3rd party design. The one on my blue steinberger copy is the overlord. I just made a video of my swapping it out for a strandberg-style bridge which is 100x better.
MeMisterMan, Finally, after reviewing those guitars, Do you still thinks the ZhiYin Musical Steinberg Are good? I mean, you found problems with the bridge, However, I was reading that you can find the action. Right?. In your previous video, you sounded very exited about this guitar. I'm About to boy one. Would you recommend it?
The guitar itself is great and definitely worth the money. However the overlord of music is a terrible bridge and that's not something I can blame on the maker. In hindsight, I would say that if you want to get the Steinberger like mine, make sure you specify that you want a bridge like nk uses, the strandberg style and not a floating trem.
MrMisterMan I’ve been looking on AliExpress at Krait guitars as they also seem to have a Strandberg style neck profile. Have you any experience of them?
@@80Days I haven't actually played the krait models on aliexpress but if I were to buy another Chinese guitar it would be krait. The neck is the same as a strandberg neck its called the endurneck. It's also one of the reasons I hesitate buying a krait because I dont know if I'll like the neck.
MrMisterMan I’m still quite a beginner but, I’m fascinated by the Strandberg neck, both the Endurneck and the slight fanning arrangement. I was anxious about whether it would be difficult for someone like me to play, but I tried one in a shop and it was really easy. The neck shape was comfortable. If I had the money (sadly I don’t) I would be happy to get one.
Nothing wrong with that guitar , just lower the saddles and set your relief. simple . If you didn't have enough which appears you do then and only then would you be forced to consider shims under neck joint /route base plate etc. but doesn't appear to be case from what I can see as there is clearance under your saddles so unless they are actually bottomed you just need to learn how to adjust your instrument. look up r trem for steinberger as principle is same. and don't forget the locking allen on side of bridge first and subsequently last.. That should get you going . may I ask pricing? thx
2 things, you have to put a shim in the neck pocket (under lasts frets) to move the neck back, you'll win maybe 1/2 mm of action and you also have after that, check if the frets are well planned, if not, you have to sand it flat and recrowned them (by you or a professional luthier). But this bridge is the worst i ever seen.
Buen video macho! Oye to estaba pensando en comprar en aliexpress una tipo LP signature Buckethead con los típicos kill switch. Me encanta! Es escala 27" y no se... dudo por el tema de aliexpress. Que me puedes decir amigo?
Si compra algo de aliexpress, solo asegúrese de leer las calificaciones del vendedor. No compre a personas que tengan una calificación inferior al 92%. Lea también las reseñas si otras personas les han comprado. No gastaría más de 300 $ en cualquier guitarra aliexpress también.
Ok..I’m convinced I’m not buying a Chinese brand.. it looks like it may be a Kesel You said something pretty profound in your last video save up and pay for quality as opposed to trying to save money on a cheap guitar thanks again for the reviews Chaz 🎷🎸🎶
The bridge as long it is floating it will be outrageous out of tune in seconds and the reason is the spring.Replacing the spring with any metal rod or a bolt with a nut then turns to a fixed bridge and the tuning becomes decent acceptable.Some other jobs has to be done but if someone doesn't own even a screwdriver or wants a guitar ready for the stage then this instrument is not his best buy.Of course it takes a lot modifications and experiments and maybe someone can take fretboard experimental lessons on this.
just sand the pegs down? That should work, no? Well, it seems its not a good idea to buy one of those complicated guitars on Aliexpress. Don't forget you get what you pay for..
The bridge to this guitar was replaced in a later video please watch it before commenting. Also i want to thank everyone for the advice about how to fix this guitar. However the problem was the bridge itself is just garbage. I could have shimmed the neck, routed out the cavity more etc but the overlord of music is a piece of trash that's not worth keeping. Trust me, dont ever buy one. And thats the main reason why i just replaced the entire bridge.
garbage is good enough for you though since you cant play your way out of a paper bag amiright?
Is this bridge put on afterwards? The biggest of the problems you describe would be solved if the pocket for the bridge was routed deeper.
I have one of these bridges for a guitar I'm building (No, I'm not trying to claim it's a great bridge, I assume it's crap anyway :p ) and I've been looking at steinberger guitars to see how deep I need to route the pocket...
If you look at frame 1:43 you see the floating part of the bridge is entirely above the body, while in steinbergers (the guitars this bridge is copied from...) half of it is BELOW the body. So as far as I found, it should be placed 1,5cm deeper in the body!!! You can also see it be looking at the pickups. They should NEVER EVER have to be set so immensely high on guitars like this!
I would suggest to get the pocket routed deeper (a few mm at a time...) and set it up each time to find the sweet spot. Place it low enough so you have to raise the strings just a little by adjusting the saddles, that way you keep some headroom for setting it up with different gauge strings.
My bridge came pretty banged up in the mail. Tuning screws were bent, whammy bar is too thick to fit in the holes, saddles were to wide to all fit in the bridge... so I had to do a LOT of grinding and repairing to get it usable. Yes it's cheap, but I wouldn't advise anyone buying it unless they are prepared to put some time ion getting it to work. It's cheap for a reason!!! I'm in a position that I have to buy EVERYTHING cheap unfortunately... and I don't mind putting time in fixing it, because it helps me to get to know how everything works. But if you want to upgrade a guitar with a headless bridge, DON'T buy this one... Save up for a GOOD bridge!
People have given me a lot of advice since I put that video up such as shimming the neck or routing the body more and while i appreciate that advice, they forget one thing and that's that I would still be dealing with the overlord of music. this bridge weighs almost 2 pounds by itself you would think it's made from cast iron I've seen these on aliexpress $15 think about that 15$ for a bridge and people expected me to keep it? No way.
@@mrmisterman999 I made my comment as complete as ppssible to help enyone with similar problems ;) And yes, you're absolutely right, that bridge realy IS garbage.. That's why I ended with the advice to NOT buy it and save up for a better one ;) All the tips work for any steinberger bridge clone, and even the original :p
I completely agree with your choice to go for a real bridge ;)
So glad I watched this before buying. Thanks so much!
Just bought one of these bridge systems for about $30 from Amazon. I plan to build a guitar around it rather than try to fit it on an existing guitar. That way I should avoid most of these problems. I also plan to completely disassemble it and make minor adjustments and modifications, as well as lubricate all moving parts. I’m wondering if needs a ball on both ends.
you could shim the neck to give it a little back tilt to make the action lower and add a .012 relief on the neck. i had to do that to my NK.
I did fix it eventually and it was due to the bridge saddles not being all the way down when I loosened the set screw. I actually had some space that you could feel when you push the saddle down. Who ever set up the bridge put the saddles very high but after realizing I could physically push the saddle down more has given me the height reduction I needed. Also did a truss adjustment to fine tune it. Plays great now.
@@mrmisterman999 I have a headless kit guitar that someday I will finish. It has the same bridge. That side set screw locks all the saddles for intanation. Loosen it and the saddles might drop more if needed.
@@ericctheartofnoise8613 ya I was gona do that but the way it holds all the saddles down I'm afraid I'll knock them around and spend 30 mins resetting the intonation
If remove any individual string saddle to sand its bottom of each to lower its height without any other alteration to the tremolo i think that this could fix the height issue in a very easy way.Modifications to everything and technical skills is a must when mail order things without having a previous real life experience for these.
Mine came recently, so far no issues with action levels and neck relief. However the shop that I sent for setup was having issues with the nut as the strings breaks easily before locking it. They recommended me to change if, hence I ordered a new locking nut online. Hopefully by changing the whole unit it would work…
I accidentally discovered another one of the design flaws of those Overlord Of Music bridges, the threads for the master-tuning screw will have a tendency to suddenly strip-out if too much tension is put on the master-tuning spring, something that is a bit hard to avoid due to the fact that the bridge itself is made of metal that is not quite hard-enough for the job, I've had first-hand experience of the threads on the master-tuner stripping-out.
Would the bridge from a Steinberger GT Pro fit into this?
Just adjust your saddles down. They do have an adjustment. Your's aren't all the way down. You should be able to get a decent low action.
Or grind the bottom of each to lower the initial height.
So they don't use double ball strings?
No
How's the Chinberger holding up?
Where can I get a steinberger bass bridge in Australia or online
I've the original Steinberger Spirit and intend to use part of one of the cheap Overlord Trems to repair my original trem. On mine I did have to chisel out a couple of mm to get the action super low and read some where that the neck should have no relief. Dead flat in fact. I adjusted it like that, it's not a bolt on neck, and the action is ultra low without buzzes. Never had any issues with tuning with the R Trem on this model either until part of it broke but it is a good 15 years if not more old.
Steinberger uses much higher grade metals than the overlord.
@@mrmisterman999 Not by much, at least not Gibson-era Steinberger. Typical Gibson trash.
Does that headpiece hold the strings in place without slipping? My Chinese kit guitar came with that, i ordered a new fixed bridge (the individual barrel style) and it came with head style that has the triangular peices that clamp each string. Im not sure which would be better
I'm looking to get one of the new strandberg "style" NK models, ideally I want a trem (I think they use the same trem as your red one) but after watching your videos I'm thinking maybes it's best to go for the new hardtail model?
I would stick with a basic bridge and stay away from the Chinese floating bridges. Watch my first nk video that's a solid bridge
Hey man… I came across your video and wanted to ask if you ever considered lifting your neck instead of lowering your strings by adding a small slab of wood or plastic at the neck joint. I replaced my bridge on a tele and the company actually supplied the pieces to lift the neck. It works great and I have no tuning issues either. Maybe that could work for you as well since it’s a bolt-on neck. 👍
I haven't tried that but others have suggested it. Maybe I'll give it a shot. 👍
Use an actual Steinberger R-Trem bridge.
Far more adjustment and stay in tune.
The string height is designed to be adjusted with an allen key in the two holes either side of each string rest.
If it's still too high, then that's a factory design fault, so you'll have to cut out a deeper hole for the bridge.
The neck on these should be flat.
So put a $250 trem on a $200 guitar?
I’m not sure ,please forgive me if I’m wrong but to me the nut is modified from the original to take single ball strings so might not be the original part 👍
that sucks . I am looking at a one Chinese guitar on ebay same bridge, thanks for the heads up👍
@MrMisterMan i dug the bridge a little bit lower and made those saddles a bit higher, but tuning is breaking strings where they are wrapped
Pspisripoff you can shim the neck by putting foil at the body side of the joint. Then readjust the truss rod.
@@womplestilskin Im doing something like that! ;D But the main issue with this bridge is, the fact that tuning happens by pulling string where its wrapped around the ball, which loosens it withing few times, so "e" and "B" strings untie, but they can also brake cuz whhere those strings go under that black plate, there is a sharp edge, that scratches strings, i filed it down but still, yanking strings is too bad.. i got different bridge
@@womplestilskin yes. I dont understand why it cannot be solved. It seems a manageable issue. Shim the neck or even take off the post of the bridge and file down the wood a bit
The problem is the bridge is garbage. Sure I could have done things to accommodate it but I would still have this awful bridge. Replacing it entirely was a better option
@@mrmisterman999 True to that, but i haven't found any better ones that doesn't cost like 300+ dollars and up : (
So do you have a problem with both of the overlord trems or is it just this one on the blue?
the trem on my red chinese guitar isnt an overlord of music its just some 3rd party design. The one on my blue steinberger copy is the overlord. I just made a video of my swapping it out for a strandberg-style bridge which is 100x better.
MeMisterMan, Finally, after reviewing those guitars, Do you still thinks the ZhiYin Musical Steinberg Are good? I mean, you found problems with the bridge, However, I was reading that you can find the action. Right?. In your previous video, you sounded very exited about this guitar. I'm About to boy one. Would you recommend it?
The guitar itself is great and definitely worth the money. However the overlord of music is a terrible bridge and that's not something I can blame on the maker. In hindsight, I would say that if you want to get the Steinberger like mine, make sure you specify that you want a bridge like nk uses, the strandberg style and not a floating trem.
So would you say NK is the more superior Chinese headless guitar?
Nk is good and known by more people. Look on aliexpress for Krait guitars they're good
MrMisterMan I’ve been looking on AliExpress at Krait guitars as they also seem to have a Strandberg style neck profile. Have you any experience of them?
@@80Days I haven't actually played the krait models on aliexpress but if I were to buy another Chinese guitar it would be krait. The neck is the same as a strandberg neck its called the endurneck. It's also one of the reasons I hesitate buying a krait because I dont know if I'll like the neck.
MrMisterMan I’m still quite a beginner but, I’m fascinated by the Strandberg neck, both the Endurneck and the slight fanning arrangement. I was anxious about whether it would be difficult for someone like me to play, but I tried one in a shop and it was really easy. The neck shape was comfortable. If I had the money (sadly I don’t) I would be happy to get one.
@@80Days if you want the closest representation of a strandberg then I would say try a krait. Think of it as a poor man's strandberg 👍
Nothing wrong with that guitar , just lower the saddles and set your relief. simple . If you didn't have enough which appears you do then and only then would you be forced to consider shims under neck joint /route base plate etc. but doesn't appear to be case from what I can see as there is clearance under your saddles so unless they are actually bottomed you just need to learn how to adjust your instrument. look up r trem for steinberger as principle is same. and don't forget the locking allen on side of bridge first and subsequently last.. That should get you going . may I ask pricing? thx
300 was the price and the bridge was replaced in a later video
Is this a real Steinberger? That is a shame.
Eart headless are really nice
Ya I've seen a few on aliexpress. I'm a little hesitant from the low ratings on the stores though
@@mrmisterman999 get it on Amazon. 30 days to try it out. I have one and its incredibly nice. Check out my review
I'll check it out
i made this diy guitar and it came with this bridge. holy fck, its like learning Kung Fu because of the string action hahaha.
Its awful
I would say downtune to like half step down on 9’s
Too bad i found this video very late :( it brakes strings where strings go under the tuner.. I have to search another type of H-less bridge
Watch my other video about the best Chinese floating bridge
2 things, you have to put a shim in the neck pocket (under lasts frets) to move the neck back, you'll win maybe 1/2 mm of action and you also have after that, check if the frets are well planned, if not, you have to sand it flat and recrowned them (by you or a professional luthier). But this bridge is the worst i ever seen.
I replaced the bridge in a later video
@@mrmisterman999 i was giving you free tips... you have done very well to replace this crap. :)
Buen video macho!
Oye to estaba pensando en comprar en aliexpress una tipo LP signature Buckethead con los típicos kill switch. Me encanta! Es escala 27" y no se... dudo por el tema de aliexpress. Que me puedes decir amigo?
Si compra algo de aliexpress, solo asegúrese de leer las calificaciones del vendedor. No compre a personas que tengan una calificación inferior al 92%. Lea también las reseñas si otras personas les han comprado. No gastaría más de 300 $ en cualquier guitarra aliexpress también.
That sting action almost made me puke, jesus!
EART guitars are quite good.
I've seen a few but never played one. I'm skeptical of the quality
@@mrmisterman999 try, both my teacher - professional player, and myself are quite impressed.
I'll check them out!
@@mrmisterman999 try one with fixed bridge.
Ok
Ok..I’m convinced I’m not buying a Chinese brand.. it looks like it may be a Kesel
You said something pretty profound in your last video save up and pay for quality as opposed to trying to save money on a cheap guitar thanks again for the reviews
Chaz 🎷🎸🎶
Exactly!
The bridge as long it is floating it will be outrageous out of tune in seconds and the reason is the spring.Replacing the spring with any metal rod or a bolt with a nut then turns to a fixed bridge and the tuning becomes decent acceptable.Some other jobs has to be done but if someone doesn't own even a screwdriver or wants a guitar ready for the stage then this instrument is not his best buy.Of course it takes a lot modifications and experiments and maybe someone can take fretboard experimental lessons on this.
Its better to just buy a fixed bridge instead of trying to make this one fixed
@@mrmisterman999 Is available a direct replacement for that dreadful overlord that fits without extra hard work?Any link?
Not really a direct replacement. I did a bridge swap look on my channel for the video
Vito bratta guitar
dude you bought a BROKEN GUITAR....
It wasn't broken idiot. I upgraded the bridge and swapped out a new nut.
Overlord of music is very Bad Quality, at least the FR edge type trémolo I ve buyed
just sand the pegs down? That should work, no? Well, it seems its not a good idea to buy one of those complicated guitars on Aliexpress. Don't forget you get what you pay for..
I changed out the bridge watch my later videos