Question about a telecaster bridge.

[Philly Q]

what about the string holes phillyQ??  (i.e, the distance they are from the back of the bridge, not just the spacing between them)

AFAIK, the Gotoh modern six-saddle bridge is meant as a direct replacement for a vintage bridge (apart from the slight spacing discrepancy!).  So although the string holes are further from the back of the bridge than on the vintage bridge, their position relative to the mounting screws (and to the front edge of the bridge) is the same.

(i.e. the Gotoh bridge plate is longer overall, but the extra length is at the back of the bridge).

I think (but I'm not sure!!) the Mex Standard bridge is also vintage spec mounting, with four screws in front of the string holes.

The one that's definitely non-vintage is the American Standard, which has three screws behind the string holes.

[Twinfan]

You can get that bridge in other places than Warmoth, surely?  They tend to use the modern spacing on all Tele bodies and therefore their parts.

I'm guessing you're in the US, so have you tried AllParts?

http://www.allparts.com/6-Saddle-Bridge-p/tb-0031-010.htm

[WezV]

i know when i recently marked out a couple of esquires with the gotoh humbucker bridge there was a discrepancy between my templates (trad tele) and where i thought the gotoh humbucking bridge should be.    i do have those bridges here so can do some measuments.   gimme a minute

[Philly Q]

You can get that bridge in other places than Warmoth, surely?  They tend to use the modern spacing on all Tele bodies and therefore their parts.

Nah, they use vintage spacing as standard!! 

All my Tele/Strat bodies fit vintage-style Fender bridges.

[WezV]

ignore me ;)   the gotoh humbucker bridge will fit trad tele holes.   its about 10mm longer at the back to accomodate the different saddles... so it wont fit the american standard holes

only fitted these things to my builds where the bridge holes are drilled according to my own bridge placement rather than converting a factory tele.  

[Frank Z]

I'm guessing you're in the US, so have you tried AllParts?

http://www.allparts.com/6-Saddle-Bridge-p/tb-0031-010.htm

Nah I'm from the Netherlands ;) I just order my stuff all around the world.

I did happen to stumble upon that Allparts bridge which seems to be almost similar to the one which is on the guitar now. I can't check out the guitar at the moment since I'm stuck at work. The Allparts bridge is a 2-3/32" bridge and the Gotoh is supposedly a 2-1/16" one. Surely one of these bridges will fit haha.

[Philly Q]

I don't want to keep confusing things, but I think that Allparts bridge is the Gotoh bridge (even though they're quoting a 1/32" difference in spacing, it's only approximate).

[Frank Z]

Well in that case neither will probably fit without modifying mounting- or stringholes which is something I rather not do. Guess I just need to find me a shop that will give me my money back if it doesn't fit.

[Philly Q]

I think the most important thing is the mounting holes.

You're routing the body for a humbucker anyway - so there goes the guitar's value!! - surely if doesn't matter if you need to drill the string holes a little bigger?


(Edit:  Why not PM Badgermark?  He fitted a Gotoh bridge on a Mex Tele and as far as I know it fitted fine, all he had to do was his drill-bit humbucker routing.  I'm not 100% sure, but I think the guitar was a Standard.)

[Frank Z]

Well I guess you're right. I don't really care about the value of the guitar. I just want a guitar that is "a little bit  special" and one that fits my needs.

Maybe Badgermark notices this thread at some point and if not, I'll indeed try PM-ing him. I'm in no rush. I still need to think of which pickup to fit in there anyways! Although I got me a MQ last week and I really really like it!

[WezV]

the allparts one is the same gotoh humbucker bridge warmoth sell

having thought about it more and checked the 4 tele bridges i have here i am going to go on a limb and say it will work on a mim - but its always worth checking these things

personally i think the position of the string holes is most crucial as these can only ever be altered slightly.  mounting holes dont matter as new ones can be drilled easily and old ones hidden beneath the plate

[Frank Z]

Well if it would just be a matter of "rounding off" the edges of the stringholes, it's ok. I don't mind doing that but I really don't want another set of mounting holes even if I do cover it up with the bridge itself. I just hate the idea of having holes in my guitar! :lol:

[badgermark]

Maybe Badgermark notices this thread at some point and if not, I'll indeed try PM-ing him. I'm in no rush. I still need to think of which pickup to fit in there anyways! Although I got me a MQ last week and I really really like it!

Sorry only just saw this thread. Time to chime in.

I have a standard MIM tele with a crudely hacked out humbucker hole and the Gotoh bridge. It lined up without any issues, string through holes are fine and mounting screws were a direct drop in. Someone mentioned string spacing, and I haven't noticed any problems.

There isn't much routing to be done to be honest, the tele pickup is pretty big as it is. I have a holydiver in mine, and it's my number one guitar, so reliable and it rocks like a mofo. I paired it up with a MQ neck at one point, and it sounded pretty nice.

Any more questions feel free to ask or PM. I do love my white tele, i'll never part with it. Not that it's worth much after it's date with my hand drill...

[Afghan Dave]

Talk about spooky!!

I've just been attacking my new Tele with a drill to fit a pickup into the bridge cavity.

I thought it would be a simple swap but.  :?

It's a bit grim in there now and the fit is very tight so I'm taking it to Feline ASAP to get the new scratchplate fitted and some dirty looks.

I hate it when a simple job goes tits up...  :(

[Frank Z]

Haha spooky indeed! It better not become the next flavour of the month else I'll feel less special!

Badgermark, cheers for the info. Think I'm just going to order me a Gotoh bridge and see if it fits then. I'll post my findings on here!