Question about a telecaster bridge.

[Philly Q]

If you want improved intonation on a vintage Tele bridge, I'd go for a set of compensated saddles.  Lots of different types available at various price points!  :)

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

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

http://www.joebarden.com/main.php?section=Products&pageID=JB%20Bridgeplates%20and%20Saddle%20Kits

http://www.allparts.uk.com/online-shop/allparts-guitar-amp-parts/bridge-parts/saddles-for-tele-c-277_1_25_27.html

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Nuts,_saddles/Electric_guitar_saddles/Compensated_Bridge_Saddles_for_Tele.html

http://www.axesrus.com/axeSaddlesh.htm

[WezV]

you can get fairly basic routers from most DIY shops now for under £40.

They are not great but they will still do a lot better than a dremel for pickup routes... they wont last forever though and for safety's sake i would recommend spending a little more to get a brand name with a better locking mechanism and a softer start-up

dont use the free router bits that can come with them, buy some decent ones.  This can be a big extra cost but the tool will be easier, more pleasurable and safer to use   ... less messy too as it will make shavings rather than dust

[Ian Price]

the tool will be easier, more pleasurable and safer to use   ... less messy too

outrageous!

[38thBeatle]

Thanks Philly.I have just had look at it and it has four screw holes. I can always give it a go  and see otherwise I could try the compensated saddles that you have found for me.

[Frank Z]

Ok seeing I'm not the kind of guy that asks something and then disappears off the earth :D Here's a small update.

So the Gotoh bridge I ordered finally arrived this week and this weekend I decided to modify the guitar. Tim's still making me a pickup so I have to wait for that to arrive before I can mount the bridge and give it a try. Here's a few pictures of my progress so far.

Here's the original pickup removed and the Gotoh bridge mounted.


This is the cavity modified to fit a humbucker. I also modified the pickguard to fit and in this picture it still has some rough edges but that's been smoothed out now as well.


And this is the cavity again but this time I added a white sealer/primer to protect the wood.


Tim recommended a Holy diver for this guitar so I've ordered a chrome covered one to go with the rest of the chrome hardware. Can't wait for it to arrive.  :lol:

[Afghan Dave]

You've done a very nice job there!

You should be proud.

[Philly Q]

Yes, very tidy!

[Frank Z]

Cheers guys :D

[badgermark]

Copy cat! Though to be fair your routing is a touch neater than mine. You will love the Holydiver in the bridge. It's a phenomenal pickup and very versatile.

[AndyR]

Though to be fair your routing is a touch neater than mine.

I thought of you earlier (your descriptions of your routing kind of match the only routing I've ever done :lol:).

Yep, that's looking like a very good job there Frank.

[Frank Z]

Copy cat!

That was exactly what I was thinking when I ordered the pickup haha! I considered a Nailbomb and even a MQ but Tim said that the Holy diver is the most versatile one out of those. ;) I did order a chrome covered one though and not an open white one. Oh and my pickguard is still white!

Cheers for all positive comments guys.

[Frank Z]

Pickup arrived today! So I managed to finish the guitar today as well. Just need to set the action to my liking and I need to do the intonation a few times to have it exactly right.

[Andrew W]

That looks very, very tasty indeed.  Likey very much.

[WezV]

how did you wire it?

i have done a few single humbucker guitars with this switch i drew (not that i claim ownership, i am sure someone has done it before)



i am liking it a lot for this kind of thing... chuck in a push/pull with c--ked wah tone preset and its 6 distinct tones from a single humbucker guitar... but still looks and feels simple like an esquire should

[Frank Z]

I went with plain normal ground-to-pot and hot-to-switch wiring ;)