Callaham Parts

[MrBump]

Anyone have any experience with Callaham parts?  Their replacement hardware looks good...

For the context, I'm thinking of a Tele build using this hardware.

Mark.

[Philly Q]

I have two Callaham bridges - a Tele one with compensated saddles and a V/N Strat tremolo with narrow saddle spacing.

Both are for "in progress" projects, so I can't tell you how they affect the sound, but they're extremely well made.  And there's a lot of attention to details like stainless-steel screws and springs (I have a bit of an obsession with using stainless parts whenever I can, I hate rusty guitar parts!!).

One thing I'd say about the Tele bridge - Bill Callaham uses a fairly thick baseplate which apparently gives a slightly fatter, smoother tone with more sustain than a vintage Fender bridge.  If you want to go for maximum vintage twang, have a look at Glendale:

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

I think Fernando has a Glendale bridge on his Warmoth Tele.

[MrBump]

I have two Callaham bridges - a Tele one with compensated saddles and a V/N Strat tremolo with narrow saddle spacing.

Both are for "in progress" projects, so I can't tell you how they affect the sound, but they're extremely well made.  And there's a lot of attention to details like stainless-steel screws and springs (I have a bit of an obsession with using stainless parts whenever I can, I hate rusty guitar parts!!).

One thing I'd say about the Tele bridge - Bill Callaham uses a fairly thick baseplate which apparently gives a slightly fatter, smoother tone with more sustain than a vintage Fender bridge.  If you want to go for maximum vintage twang, have a look at Glendale:

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

I think Fernando has a Glendale bridge on his Warmoth Tele.

Cheers, PQ.  I remember you talking about Callaham parts in the past. 

They do a Tele Hardware Set on their website, that has everything for a parts machine bar the wood, pickups and strap locks, from what I can see:

http://www.callahamguitars.com/partstel.htm

I think that it might be a cost effective way of getting a decent build...

Mark.

[Philly Q]

They do a Tele Hardware Set on their website, that has everything for a parts machine bar the wood, pickups and strap locks, from what I can see:

http://www.callahamguitars.com/partstel.htm

I think that it might be a cost effective way of getting a decent build...

It was cost effective a year ago, not so sure about now, with the exchange rate!  :lol:  Especially once you factor in shipping (which is quite pricey), VAT and import duty.

It might be worth finding out if Charlie Chandler's Guitar Experience have the whole kit in stock (or can get it for you).  I got my Strat bridge there a couple of weeks ago, and it worked out a fair bit cheaper than ordering direct from Callaham.

[MrBump]

They do a Tele Hardware Set on their website, that has everything for a parts machine bar the wood, pickups and strap locks, from what I can see:

http://www.callahamguitars.com/partstel.htm

I think that it might be a cost effective way of getting a decent build...

It was cost effective a year ago, not so sure about now, with the exchange rate!  :lol:  Especially once you factor in shipping (which is quite pricey), VAT and import duty.

It might be worth finding out if Charlie Chandler's Guitar Experience have the whole kit in stock (or can get it for you).  I got my Strat bridge there a couple of weeks ago, and it worked out a fair bit cheaper than ordering direct from Callaham.

Cool - thanks for the tip.

[FernandoDuarte]

One thing I'd say about the Tele bridge - Bill Callaham uses a fairly thick baseplate which apparently gives a slightly fatter, smoother tone with more sustain than a vintage Fender bridge.  If you want to go for maximum vintage twang, have a look at Glendale:

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

I think Fernando has a Glendale bridge on his Warmoth Tele.

I've and like it... Can't compare to others because I never had a Tele before and didn't make a compare yet (would be to hard, as mine is completely different from a stock Fender...)
But I like it... Just the "ears" of the bridge being lower than normal (and not itching the hand) is awesome to me...

[tomjackson]

I have the Tele bridge and it's great, it is thicker than vintage though so you get a bit of a thicker more rounded tone I believe although I'm only comparing it to cheaper Tele bridges on different guitars.  I think the thickness might reduce the microphony a bit although as my amp is dark that may be a factor also.

If you like that tele on the edge of squeeling sound, very edgy, this might not be the right bridge but then again I've never tried it through a cranked bright fender amp, may be in those conditions it would have that edge....

But so far it sounds smooth and classy with my Blackguards :D

[tomjackson]

Sounds like this

http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=15614.0