Tell me about Teles

[hunter]

So since I played that Tylerbaster with RW board and brass saddles (I think it has an Alder body) - I have bad bad Tele GAS.

I was wondering, all the 60s Teles I see around seem to have steel saddles. However common understanding is that, in general, the brass 3 piece bridges are the best sounding ones on Teles, right?

So is it like proven that rosewood board, alder body, steel saddles sounds good and maple board, ash body, brass saddles?

What about rosewood board, ash body, brass bridge? Bad combination?

I just love rosewood boards, but I'm a bit lost as to which Tele is the best for me (apart from the Tylerbaster which is unfortunately out of production and rare as hen's teeth).

[Lew]

The 3 saddle bridge is important in getting the old tone and vibe imo (both brass and steel saddles have their merits) but what I've always found more important in getting the old tone (and often overlooked) is the actual bridge material. Thin steel sounds alot different to thick brass (ferrous V's non ferrous). You want a thin steel bridge and 3 saddles for that old tone.

I don't see anything 'proven' but combination's 9/10 are Alder/RW/Steel and Ash/Maple/Brass.

[BigB]

I have a CIJ '62 Custom RI (alder/rosewood) with brass saddles, and it sounds just fine to me. Not tried steel saddles on it, and the only steel saddles alder/rw Tele I've played since didn't have BGF50s on itn, so I can't tell how much difference it would make.

[Ratrod]

Steel is the most neutral sounding. Good if you want to keep the natural tone from the wood and pickups. Aluminium adds warmth and brightness and a nice 'zing'. Brass = twang. That's what old Tele's are famous for.

A maple board gives you that bright and snappy sound. Rosewood is a bit warmer and rounds off the sharpness a bit.

For body woods you could check out Warmoth. They have accurate discriptions of wood and tone.

[tomjackson]

I've got Glendale steel saddles on my Swampash / maple Tele.  I'm thinking of getting brass  D/G and B/E saddles as it's just a little too bright with the maple board at the moment. Steel has good definition on the lower strings though so I'll probably keep the steel E/A saddle.

Brass is a little rounder with a slightly softer attack I think.