[crayzee]

So, a question for all the luthiers and/or otherwise technically skilled people...

I got this LTD B-208FM 8-string Bass sitting on my desk, waiting to get a new bridge:



This is the old bridge. As you can see, intonation adjustment is just possible per string-pair, which makes it virtually impossible to get the intonation right (believe me, I spent a LOT of time with that instrument trying to get it right). It just sounds off all the time, being the main reason for the exchange.



Different angle:




This is new one, Allparts No. BB 0338-003, it's an ABM Bridge with individual saddles for each string:



Different angle again:




So here's the problem: the bridge's referred to as top loading, as far as I can tell it's back loading, but I'm not sure, correct me if I'm wrong; I'd like to keep the original string retainer and don't want to drill holes and/or fill cavities (there are some beneath the bridge as well as the retainer). Is this possible, can I keep the original retainer and just swap the bridges or is more work involved?
I know how to get around the guitar and how to use my tools, that shouldn't be much of a problem, I just haven't done this kind of repair-/servicework before, maybe one of you guys already did something like that before and can help out. I just don't wanna fu$& the instrument up.
I'm kind of on a tight schedule here (OF COURSE... ;-)), so quick replies are appreciated...

Thanks in advance,
Niels

[Apophis]

with this saddles construction there is no other way like back loading (strings thru body design), sorry, when using new bridge