Rampage Jerry Cantrell Signature Series problem

[Nukebomb]

I just bought a used G&L Rampage Jerry Cantrell Signature Series guitar. I ordered new springs, screws, and tefflon rollers for the Kahler X-TREM bridge. Took apart the tremolo, cleaned, installed new rollers, lubed (except the rollers), re-assembled, screwed it down to the guitar, and...........DAMN. How do I get to the Bridge locking screw!? It sits below the surface of the guitar wood! NO! Why?
I have watched Kahler's setup videos on YouTube, and it says that in order to properly install new strings and setup the intonation , you must lock down the bridge with the screw, into FIXED bridge position. Then, after tuning, you loosen the screw to unlock the bridge, and continue intonation setup.
Well..........I can't get to the Bridge Stop screw once the tremolo is bolted onto the guitar. Meaning, that there is a route (depression) for the tremolo bridge to set into, and it is flush with the wood of the guitar, not allowing me to reach the rear screw for adjustment. This STINKS! It's insanity I tell ya. Please help! Anyone have any tips or ideas or reasons why they made this guitar like this? How can I set the intonation?

[Craig]

I just bought a used G&L Rampage Jerry Cantrell Signature Series guitar. I ordered new springs, screws, and tefflon rollers for the Kahler X-TREM bridge. Took apart the tremolo, cleaned, installed new rollers, lubed (except the rollers), re-assembled, screwed it down to the guitar, and...........DAMN. How do I get to the Bridge locking screw!? It sits below the surface of the guitar wood! NO! Why?
I have watched Kahler's setup videos on YouTube, and it says that in order to properly install new strings and setup the intonation , you must lock down the bridge with the screw, into FIXED bridge position. Then, after tuning, you loosen the screw to unlock the bridge, and continue intonation setup.
Well..........I can't get to the Bridge Stop screw once the tremolo is bolted onto the guitar. Meaning, that there is a route (depression) for the tremolo bridge to set into, and it is flush with the wood of the guitar, not allowing me to reach the rear screw for adjustment. This STINKS! It's insanity I tell ya. Please help! Anyone have any tips or ideas or reasons why they made this guitar like this? How can I set the intonation?

See these posts in our G&L Knowledgebase, G&L Tech Tips sub-forum: To lock down the USA and Tribute Rampage Kahler Trems ... and G&L Rampage Jerry Cantrell Signature. There are other posts regarding the Jerry Cantrell Signature Rampage, just do a Search here.

Hope this helps.

[HowlinWolf]

Hey Nukebomb, it's not insanity, it's meant to be that way for this guitar. In that video, Mr. Kahler recommends that you lock the bridge when you string up the guitar and tune them up to pitch. It's not a must that you do that, and with this model you just can't. You put on the strings and tune them without locking it if you want a vibrato bridge. If you want a fixed bridge you'd have to lift the bridge up/take the bridge out and put the locking screw in and then put the bridge back to its position. I think the reason why it's that way is because on Jerry's Rampages that he bought in the mid '80s he had them modified to be countersunk a little as the low E string kept falling out from the saddle when he pressed the trem bar down. He mentions that in a few interviews where he talks about his Rampage guitar.

In regards to setting intonation, assuming you know how to set intonation on a guitar, the same video you mentioned shows exactly how to move the saddle forwards and backwards. And also check out the 2nd thread that Craig linked to for some useful tips. Learning how to set up a Kahler bridge can be tricky at first but you'll get the hang of it soon. Hope this helps and if you have any other questions feel free to ask them and hopefully me or someone else might be able to help you out.