Tele 6-saddle, what do you think?

[pieterh]

I guess I should have asked this before ordering one, but what do you guys and gals think of a vintage style 6-saddle bridge in place of the factory-standard 3-saddle on a vintage reissue Telecaster?

I've ordered one for my Classic 60s Telecaster. While I can get the intonation pretty close using the Jerry Donahue method, it still isn't ideal. I do a lot of playing up and down the neck so I would like it to be closer, but I like the barrel saddles more than the modern standard bridge - my G&L has a vintage 6-saddle bridge. And frankly I don't want to have to do any drilling of new holes etc if I can help it.

What are your experiences when changing from one to the other?

[clintj]

Just a thought, but Callaham and others make compensated vintage saddles for the Tele so you could keep the original three piece style barrel saddles.

[Otterhound]

Originally Posted by clintj

Just a thought, but Callaham and others make compensated vintage saddles for the Tele so you could keep the original three piece style barrel saddles.

Well put and worth a try .

[zabdart]

I don't know. The Teles I've had have both been old enough to be of the 3-bridge saddle variety. Obviously, a 6-saddle model allows for more precise intonation. From what I've heard from others, however, the 3-bridge saddle variety sustains better. If you have a repairman who knows what he's doing, he should be able to set up the 3-saddle type for you that you don't notice any string being slightly off. I've had one Tele for over 45 years, and the intonation, while not precise, is good enough not to bother me when I tune and the guitar plays in tune all the way up the neck.

[stephenT]

They sound different to my ear. I prefer the three barrel.

I've used most compensated tele saddles out there, I like the Glendale the best as far as sound and compensation. plus he offers a wide variety of saddle materials to choose from.

http://www.glendaleguitars.com/glendale1.htm

[pieterh]

I did consider compensated saddles and if the 6-saddle bridge doesn't work out I'll give them a try.

My G&L has a classic 6-saddle barrel bridge and I don't notice any lack of sustain - though being semi-hollow and ash as opposed to alder, and not being Fender it isn't a fair comparison I will admit.

Looks aren't everything either but the compensate saddles that look like they sit at an angle look just plain wrong...

[MuddyDitch]

I'm partial to the brass barrels but that's just aesthetics.

[alnico5]

I bought an American Standard Telecaster about a year ago. One reason was the ability to intonate each string. The original style is definitely a step in the wrong direction for me. YMMV.

[pieterh]

Originally Posted by MuddyDitch

I'm partial to the brass barrels but that's just aesthetics.

I like the brass saddles too, my G&L has six of them!

[muscmp]

i have the american vintage 58 with the 3 steel saddles. i swapped them for the glendale 3 saddle cold rolled steel compensated. much better intonation and i like the cold rolled steel sound.

play music!

[pitner]

I recently put a bigsby and a mastery bridge/ bridge plate on my tele with great results. Kinda expensive but worth the price of admission to me.

[MBE]

The three barrels have an old school vibe to them that is cool, but I'll take the intonation of 6 saddles any day of the week.

[oldmanonthebike]

Never had a problem with any bridge on any Tele that I've owned. 3 or 6 saddle. I think the three saddles are kind of like and good wrap around tail piece on a Gibson. Amazing how close they are despite their simplicity. I've had Gretsches that had no chance at intonation no matter how the were adjusted. Maybe that's why I still look at Teles and not Gretsches.

[J Patrick]

...i've had a lot of teles and my favorite saddles hands down are Glendales...spendy but worth it...tone and intonation improvement are very noticeable...they have a lot of options...i prefer the twang set...

http://www.glendaleguitars.com/glendale1.htm

[pieterh]

Thanks for all the advice! I'm still waiting for the 6-saddle bridge to arrive.

I like the idea of the compensated saddles and will try those if the 6-saddle option loses more than it gains so to speak. Purely aesthetically I prefer the ones where the compensation is done in the barrel shape rather than the angle of the intonation screw - it looks sort of wrong with the saddles angled though I realise that's how the compensation is achieved.

Anybody with any experience of the saddles I mean?