software

WhoFan and I have been PM'ing, but it's time to go public. Can anyone recommend a good source for a not-ridiculously-expensive 3-saddle vintage-style compensated (slanted saddles) Tele bridge?

Stewmac sells a 3-saddle bridge, and compensated saddles, but you have to buy both, throw the standard saddles away, and substitute the compensated saddles. Goofy. Also, WhoFan has heard that the Stewmac saddles aren't great. Anybody have an opinion?

At the other end of the scale there is of course Vintique, keepers of the Gatton flame, and makers of the primo stainless steel, vintage-style, compensated Tele bridge on the market. But we're talking MIM Teles here, and there ain't no way I'm putting a $240 bridge on a $300 guitar. Vintique does sell just their saddles for $65, but I'd still need a 3-saddle bridge plate, since my Tele presently has a 6-saddle vintage-style bridge.

Does anyone know of a good middle ground? Me 'n' WhoFan are dying to know.

if you are a non-traditionalist, try a graphtech ios compensated tele saddles available in tusq and stringsaver material.

pop by their website for more information.

btw, they have it in 3-barrel and 6-saddle for tele.

Funny, I was just going to say Graphtech.


Originally Posted by Rich_SWhoFan and I have been PM'ing, but it's time to go public. Can anyone recommend a good source for a not-ridiculously-expensive 3-saddle vintage-style compensated (slanted saddles) Tele bridge?

Stewmac sells a 3-saddle bridge, and compensated saddles, but you have to buy both, throw the standard saddles away, and substitute the compensated saddles. Goofy. Also, WhoFan has heard that the Stewmac saddles aren't great. Anybody have an opinion?

At the other end of the scale there is of course Vintique, keepers of the Gatton flame, and makers of the primo stainless steel, vintage-style, compensated Tele bridge on the market. But we're talking MIM Teles here, and there ain't no way I'm putting a $240 bridge on a $300 guitar. Vintique does sell just their saddles for $65, but I'd still need a 3-saddle bridge plate, since my Tele presently has a 6-saddle vintage-style bridge.

Does anyone know of a good middle ground? Me 'n' WhoFan are dying to know. from : localhost/guessing it's too costly for your purpose though.

I have used a lot of Stew Mac saddles on many bridge upgrades with no issues. I usually replace the saddles on all my Fenders with Graphite. so maybe not a good comparison. If you can buy just the saddles why not just replace them and leave the bridge alone?

The Wilkinson Bridge is excellent for this purpose. I have played many Teles that have this and it really works well. The other option would be to have the existing saddles compensated by a qualified Tech.

I'm purchasing one of these: from : localhost/store.guitarfetish.com/wicotebrbrsa.html

It's relatively cheap, and it's pretty cool because it has holes in the bridge for string through or you can even string through the bridge like the old esquires. It's all steel with three compensated brass saddles. I can;t wait to get mine to pop on my tele with my STL-1 on my maple board tele... it's going to be so bright and twangy!


Originally Posted by joelapI'm purchasing one of these: from : localhost/store.guitarfetish.com/wicotebrbrsa.html

It's relatively cheap, and it's pretty cool because it has holes in the bridge for string through or you can even string through the bridge like the old esquires. It's all steel with three compensated brass saddles. I can;t wait to get mine to pop on my tele with my STL-1 on my maple board tele... it's going to be so bright and twangy!

Holy crap, that's perfect. That's what I need for my project. Thanks, Joe.


Originally Posted by ErikHHoly crap, that's perfect. That's what I need for my project. Thanks, Joe.
and your pickup and DPDT is on the way


Originally Posted by joelap

and your pickup and DPDT is on the way
Cool, thanks.

Look on ebay, there is a dude who takes the fender ones, makes the brass saddles specifically for your fretboard radius, and shaves the lip, all for about $40 bucks. I got mine. While the edges on the shaved lip cut weren't entirely clean, it wasn't bad. You know the parts are quality though as it is fender.

I can't believe nobody's mentioned: from : localhost/(click quot;T Bridge Details)

I think the Compensated saddles on my Tele ran me $36- but I bought them direct from Graph Tech as the saddles were new on the market.

if I had to go cheap cheap cheap, I'd look at the $8 Fender bridge plate at MF, and get the StewMac saddles

at the other end, I have a Barden bridge on mine, but since they're no longer available, I'd look into the Callaham


Originally Posted by Curly...a Barden bridge on mine, but since they're no longer available, I'd look into the Callaham

AllParts is now carrying Barden Tele Bridges for $130
Tele Barden Bridge at Allparts
Do the current MIM Teles use three or four screws?


Originally Posted by proxyLook on ebay, there is a dude who takes the fender ones, makes the brass saddles specifically for your fretboard radius, and shaves the lip, all for about $40 bucks. I got mine. While the edges on the shaved lip cut weren't entirely clean, it wasn't bad. You know the parts are quality though as it is fender.

1 just ordered mine from him. the guy knows what he's doing and you get a great customized bridge.

current mim use 4 screws i belive, minds a 2004 and it has 4 so im just assuming it still does


Originally Posted by BludaveI have used a lot of Stew Mac saddles on many bridge upgrades with no issues. I usually replace the saddles on all my Fenders with Graphite. so maybe not a good comparison. If you can buy just the saddles why not just replace them and leave the bridge alone?

The Wilkinson Bridge is excellent for this purpose. I have played many Teles that have this and it really works well. The other option would be to have the existing saddles compensated by a qualified Tech.

My problem is that the axe presently has a 6-saddle vintage-style bridge on it. I don't like it; too many screws and springs and little tiny bits, and everyone says the 3-saddles sound better. So, I want to switch the whole thing. That Wilkinson looks good, and I just had some painless dealings with GuitarFetish.

For those recommending GraphTech - how does the graphite compare to brass? I've always preferred brass to steel on tele bridges, but where does graphite land tone-wise?


Originally Posted by Rich_SFor those recommending GraphTech - how does the graphite compare to brass? I've always preferred brass to steel on tele bridges, but where does graphite land tone-wise?

Mine didn't have brass saddles, and I've never owned a Tele with brass saddles... However I didn't notice much of any difference from the stock saddles.


Originally Posted by Rich_S
For those recommending GraphTech - how does the graphite compare to brass? I've always preferred brass to steel on tele bridges, but where does graphite land tone-wise?

I had my Mex strat quot;convertedquot; to Graphtech Tusq. The tech swore by it, but i was worried. I was convinced the string had to break over real metal. Graphite, i could learn to deal with, but man-made ivory!!, on a strat!? But it looked like it was made for the purpose (it said strat), and i let him do it.

And I was mighty impressed! The sustain has really improved so much. Alright it's a tusq nut, a nice setup and fret dress, flush trem lockdown and even a little tusq tree and such, but the actual resonance and sweetness is, well, sweet. Very happy, and cause the strat is cream/white, it fits the cosmetic. Otherwise it might look a lil dodgy (its bone coloured stuff) On a tele, well, I'd say try the tusq if you're not a heavy-breaker-of-strings. But i suppose brass is best for bite n twang, with the extra pressure down cause of the two-per-barrel system.

Oough, for a tele with P-90's, what i wouldn't do....anything but rout