software

A friend of mine just got a guitar built for him, with parts. Squier Affinity neck and I haven't formally identified the body yet, but it does appear to be genuine Fender toploading. It apparently used to be on one of Billy Corgan's guitar that he smashed onstage. There are no string through holes and there doesn't seem to be dowels. There is some problem with the bridge: being a toploader, shouldn't it have 3 vintage saddles? This one has 6 individual ones (old school) and the strings rub on the springs, and they aren't aligned with the pickup polepieces. I'm setting it up for him. I'll first try replacing the saddles but obviously the holes are not going to be proper so I may have to replace the whole bridge and I haven't found anywhere that sells toploading units.
I haven't had a long enough look at it yet, though I already saw that the nut is filed way too high and the neck has too much relief. It plays pretty bad too.
Anyhoo back to the body: I'll check the neck and pickup pocket and routes, but what can you guys tell me about toploaders? What years were they made (early 60s right?), and were there any reissues?
I don't think he'll ever sell it so resale value doesn't matter much. As soon as I set it up properly for him though I'll send him on a quest for a decent neck.

There have been top loader Telecaster and Esquires since the late 50's and on up until today. Im not saying for sure but that bridge sounds like a no nFender bridge to me but there is really no telling. There are all kinds of top loader bridges...3 saddle, 6 saddle vintage, saddle moderne, etc...

Fender MiM Telecasters were made with toploading bridges from about 1990 up until 1996 or so. And also alot of late model Squires have toploading bridges also..... could be from anything though.

As far as vintage Fender toploaders go.... i only know of them being released in 1959, but there could be more years of them. Hope this helps some.

FenderBender

In the early to mid 80's they had top loaders. I've got an 83 with the short lived Elite bridge. They also had a wider radius I believe in that period. Possibly 10 or 11 degree radius. I've got a Duncan Jerry Donahue in the bridge. Great pickup!
The first top loader Tele was in 1959. Lasted one year like that then Fender went back to the string through body design. But 80's MIJ Fender Squire Strats are top loaders and also have 6 saddles. It's fairly commen to see on some quot;economyquot; or quot;entry levelquot; Teles because that design is cheaper to produce.

I don't think top loader Teles sound quite as good as string through body Teles. The string angle behind the bridge is not as steep on the top loader design and the string through body design just sounds better and sustains better to me.

Lew

I have a top loader tele (1994 MIM) and man I love it. I've found that the top loading makes the string tension easier to bend (and several tele masters (including Danny Gatton) would agree with that). They just feel slinkier, and a little easier to play.

Alright cheers guys! I'll give you more info as soon as I dissect the guitar.