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Fishman Full Circle Sizing FAQ

Which size do I need?

The Full Circle Pickup from Fishman is offered in three different thread sizes, since not all bridges use the same sized adjuster wheels. Of the choices, the SAE ¼x20 is the most common bolt size by far. Almost all of the adjustable bridges we've ever sold at Gollihur Music have been of this size.

The easiest and most fool-proof way to tell which size you need is to take out your current adjuster wheel and count how many threads there are in a ½ inch along its threaded edge (since the wheel doesn't quite have a full inch of threads).

  • If this measurement shows that your current bridge has 10 threads per half inch (20 threads per inch), similar to the graphic at right, you need the SAE 1/4"-20 version of the Full Circle.

  • If it has 9 threads in a half inch (18 per inch) than it's possible you have the new 5/16"-18 version. (You can double-check by measuring the end diameter of the threaded post - this newer version is threaded onto a larger post, 5/16".)

  • If you aren't even close to 20 threads per inch, try counting threads next to a metric ruler - if the threads are spaced exactly one millimeter apart, you've got a metric-threaded bridge (and need the 6x1mm version of the Full Circle).

These printable gauges from Bolt Depot (a purveyor of hardware items) may also help you to count threads accurately.

If you are uncertain about the size, here's another tip: Go to a decent sized hardware store (e.g. Ace Hardware or True Value franchise) and visit their aisle with all the little drawers with all the different sized nuts, bolts, etc. Buy one or more nuts (usually less than 35 cents each) in the size you think is correct (for the Full Circle, that's one of the three listed above). Remove the adjuster from your bridge, and see which size nut fits.

If the bridge is already off of your bass, you can also simply take one of the adjusters to the hardware store with you. Most well-stocked stores have a "test-fit board" with various bolt ends and nuts on the board, into which you can test-fit the adjuster into. The legend printed next to each tester nut will tell you exactly what size/thread count it is.

 



Here's a photo of the adjusters side by side, for comparison.


The shorthand:
SAE ¼x20 means: ¼" post, threaded with 20 threads per inch FC-001
Metric 6x1mm means: 6mm post, threaded with 1 thread per millimeter FC-002
SAE 5/16"x18 means: 5/8" post, threaded with 18 threads per inch FC-003

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