Help Me With Tele Bridge Replacement....From 3 to 6 Saddle

gracecovenant · #1 02-14-2015, 09:56 PM

Recently, I bought a 2014 MIM FSR Tele , and I want to replace the three-saddle bridge assembly to a tray with six individual saddles.

In your opinion, what is the best value for the money? I really want a drop-in replacement so that I don't have to drill new holes in the top, too.

Is it necessary to spend around $100 to get a good bridge, or have you been pleased with the Fender/Allparts variety for $39????

jaybones · #2 02-14-2015, 11:43 PM

Don't have a Tele, but I give the Fender/Allparts a try. If its genuine Fender it'll be a direct fit, and Allparts has a good reputation for quality direct fit replacement parts.

If I bought a Tele I'd want the 6 saddle bridge- don't think you can intonate correctly with only 3, even though they are milled a bit to compensate for the strings.

DESERTRAT1 · #3 02-17-2015, 06:55 PM

My favorite drop in replacement for for that is the Gotoh Modern.

http://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_..._for_Tele.html

Before

After

blue · #4 02-17-2015, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DESERTRAT1

My favorite drop in replacement for for that is the Gotoh Modern.

That is a great suggestion. But I'd still vote for staying with a good 3 barrel. But if going with individual saddles, hard to beat.

muscmp · #5 02-17-2015, 08:06 PM

i changed my stainless steel 3 saddle on my tele to glendale cold rolled steel 3 compensated saddle and have no intonation problems and stays in tune quite a long time depending upon usage and weather.

play music!

blue · #6 02-18-2015, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muscmp

i changed my stainless steel 3 saddle on my tele to glendale cold rolled steel 3 compensated saddle and have no intonation problems and stays in tune quite a long time depending upon usage and weather.

play music!

Throw in combining brass and steel for personal taste, and that's why I prefer the 3 barrels also.

pieterh · #7 02-18-2015, 03:24 PM

I did the switch from the Classic 60s three-saddle bridge (I didn't like it, the strings kept hopping over the different grooves on the barrels, really frustrating) to a Fender Vintage style with 6 saddles (with only one string groove per saddle). It was a direct drop-in replacement and contrary to what a lot of people said the sustain got better, and the sound brighter - and of course the intonation is now spot on. And I know I'm a bit of a nerd in that way but the bridge tray still says Fender on it...

davidd · #8 02-18-2015, 03:35 PM

A tele should have a three saddle ashtray bridge IMO. The original design of the two pickup Tele was simplicity at its best.

gracecovenant · #9 02-18-2015, 08:06 PM

[QUOTE=DESERTRAT1;4364400]My favorite drop in replacement for for that is the Gotoh Modern.

This is precisely what I ordered......i was sure hoping it was an exact fit. It looked like a quality bridge for the money. Curiously, what Duncan pickup do have in the bridge and do you like it? Did you replace the neck pickup?

BTW....your Tele burst is quite a looker!

Otterhound · #10 02-18-2015, 08:32 PM

[QUOTE=gracecovenant;4365995]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DESERTRAT1

My favorite drop in replacement for for that is the Gotoh Modern.

This is precisely what I ordered......i was sure hoping it was an exact fit. It looked like a quality bridge for the money. Curiously, what Duncan pickup do have in the bridge and do you like it? Did you replace the neck pickup?

BTW....your Tele burst is quite a looker!

You may want to look at what Chris Klein offers .
He's even in Texas .

gracecovenant · #11 02-19-2015, 07:09 PM

[QUOTE=Otterhound;4366059]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gracecovenant

You may want to look at what Chris Klein offers .
He's even in Texas .

Excellent, thanks. Klein is located in Denton, Texas, and I had no idea. I live a couple of hours from there but went to college in Denton. I will have to look them up next time I am up that way.

DESERTRAT1 · #12 02-20-2015, 10:33 AM

[QUOTE=gracecovenant;4365995]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DESERTRAT1

My favorite drop in replacement for for that is the Gotoh Modern.

This is precisely what I ordered......i was sure hoping it was an exact fit. It looked like a quality bridge for the money. Curiously, what Duncan pickup do have in the bridge and do you like it? Did you replace the neck pickup?

BTW....your Tele burst is quite a looker!

Thanks. Here's a Gotoh Modern installed on my MIM FSR. The one thing to be aware of is that because the Gotoh base plate is thicker than the vintage plates you might have to shim the neck just a bit to allow a little more room for saddle adjustment. Other than that it's a perfect drop in fit. The sunburst is a Fender "Special Edition Koa" with Duncan Alnico II Pros that came stock on this model. Being Alnico II"s they're a little less "in your face" than the 52 Reissues that I put in the FSR which is a nice option when I want to play more laid back stuff.

teleamp · #13 02-21-2015, 06:02 AM

Rick Shaw of Shaw Custom Guitars converted my Fender 58 AVRI body to a Fender American 6 saddle bridge and routed the back and machined a string block so the string holes could be relocated, it wasn't cheap, if a drop in will work, I'd go that route.

maxtheaxe · #14 02-26-2015, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DESERTRAT1

My favorite drop in replacement for for that is the Gotoh Modern.

http://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_..._for_Tele.html

Before

After

Couldn't have said it better...this is the first thing I did with my Tele with a "vintage-style" bridge....BIG improvement in action, tone and intonation. Plus, the edges of the Gotoh are a lot easier on my hand.