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Folks, i noticed that there are 2 main types of tele bridges. the quot;traditionalquot; ones and the ones with individual saddles (strat-like ones). whats the main differences between these two? do they generally play differently? please just explain to me the simple differences, i'm not into the details.

The common wisdom is that the traditional 3-saddle bridge gives better tone, due to tighter coupling to the plate and body. The downward force per saddle is double what it is in a 6-saddle bridge, and that tightens the bridge-to-body connection.

It used to be that 3-saddle bridges couldn't be intonated properly, since 2 strings shared each saddle. But in recent years, compensated saddles have become available. They give the best of both worlds. Search this forum for quot;compensated telequot; or similar to get more info.

Of course tone is subjective and you may prefer one or the other. I'm in the process of replacing my MIM 6-saddle bridge with a Giant Guitars compensated 3-saddle.

Even with compensated saddles, you can never get the intonation perfect on a 3 saddle tele. If you do, well, dumb luck.

Rich summed it up well for the most part... the only other thing I would add is feel, which is an obvious difference between any two dissimilar brdiges. The 3 saddle bridge takes a little more getting used to if you typically find yourself playing strat-like bridges or TOM.

So the only main advantage of a 3 saddle tele is tone?


Originally Posted by pac112So the only main advantage of a 3 saddle tele is tone?

But isn't that what matters?

Think how the tone differs between a Strat 2-point pivot bridge vs the vintage 6-screw mount. The 6-screw has a fuller tone (subjective of course).

okay. thanks rich, ,mike and erik !!!

another question. does one hold tuning better than the other?


Originally Posted by pac112okay. thanks rich, ,mike and erik !!!

another question. does one hold tuning better than the other?

No.


Originally Posted by pac112another question. does one hold tuning better than the other?

Nope. Not really. That's all dependent on the tuners and the quality of how the nut was cut. Good tuners and a properly grooved nut will stay in tune.

The modern 6 saddle bridges allow for fine-tuning of the intonation and the action for each string. Note that the modern saddles are bigger and heavier than those of the vintage 6 saddle bridge. Some people claim that they get more twang or this or that from the vintage 3-saddle bridge, but there are variations in the saddle material and bridge plate material for each style of bridge. And a number of great sounding Tele players use each type of bridge:

vintage 3 saddle bridge: anyone who plays a stock 50's into 60's Tele (e.g., Roy Buchanan, Muddy Waters, a host of country pickers)

vintage 6 saddle: Albert Collins, some of James Burton's Teles

modern 6 saddle: Keith Richards, Brent Mason, etc.

Base your choice on tone and comfort for your style of playing.