Not sure if anyone here would know the answer to this but I thought I would try anyway,
I have a 94 Custom Japanese Telecaster that I had since.....uhh 94. I have recently been doing some upgrades on my guitars and I thought about replacing the bridge (and some other things) on this but wasn't sure about what bridges are compatible. I have measured my current one with calipers and the only one that looks exact is the Gotoh Wilkinson modern tele bridge attached.
I'd like to move to a more vintage style one but I couldn't seems to figure out if anyone makes one you can just switch out without having to redrill. I also couldn't figure out if the older Japanese models have the same spec bridges as the American ones.
I may need to post in the Telecaster forum but I thought I would try here first.
I use the Gotoh on a homemade tele and really like it. Can't tell you if it changes the tone to any degree but doesn't have the intonation issues or ashtray edges of the original.
I have a John Rutters Bridge. Fantastic tone machine. I bet if you emailed him the specs he'd do one of his for your specific needs.
Jacob
I replaced the bridge on a MIM tele with this wilkenson
https://reverb.com/item/330561-guitar-parts-wilkinson-wtb-bridge-telecaster-tele-brass-saddle-chrome?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5Me5oNu-4gIVilqGCh1YXgTpEAQYAiABEgIAm_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&pla=1
As far as I know if your tele bridge mounts with four screws the wilkenson will be a drop in replacement. There are probably some exceptions to that but for the most part it just works.
I had to do some redrilling because the old bridge had three screws not four. But it was a HUGE upgrade. Way more sustain and an improvement tonewise as well.
One thing that is nice is the wilkenson can do either top load (which I prefer) or through body. so even if those through body holes don't line up you could still use the top load stuff.
Go with Standard American Fender Telecaster replacement. Not the ashtray style. I am in position upgrading my Mexican Tele as well. I just ordered the Ashtray style bridge and American standard bridge. Turns out the American works better for me. I also heard that the sustain is better on American standard bridge.
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CC3CV4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Quote from: Matmosphere on May 28, 2019, 05:14:37 PM
I replaced the bridge on a MIM tele with this wilkenson
https://reverb.com/item/330561-guitar-parts-wilkinson-wtb-bridge-telecaster-tele-brass-saddle-chrome?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5Me5oNu-4gIVilqGCh1YXgTpEAQYAiABEgIAm_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&pla=1
As far as I know if your tele bridge mounts with four screws the wilkenson will be a drop in replacement. There are probably some exceptions to that but for the most part it just works.
I had to do some redrilling because the old bridge had three screws not four. But it was a HUGE upgrade. Way more sustain and an improvement tonewise as well.
One thing that is nice is the wilkenson can do either top load (which I prefer) or through body. so even if those through body holes don't line up you could still use the top load stuff.
see, this is where my confusion comes from. If you looks at the dims of the one you recommended, youll notice that its different than the Gotoh I posted earlier which is pretty much the dims of my current one. I am not sure if this off enough that it matter but my gut says that it is? Yes, my current one is 4 screws but it's still a bit different.
Quote from: fair.child on May 28, 2019, 05:56:29 PM
Go with Standard American Fender Telecaster replacement. Not the ashtray style. I am in position upgrading my Mexican Tele as well. I just ordered the Ashtray style bridge and American standard bridge. Turns out the American works better for me. I also heard that the sustain is better on American standard bridge.
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CC3CV4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Yeah, see this is pretty similar to what I already have. I was kind of interested in trying one of the ashtray style ones.
Quote from: jkokura on May 28, 2019, 05:01:41 PM
I have a John Rutters Bridge. Fantastic tone machine. I bet if you emailed him the specs he'd do one of his for your specific needs.
Jacob
Website or contact?
Quote from: peAk on May 28, 2019, 06:05:01 PM
Quote from: jkokura on May 28, 2019, 05:01:41 PM
I have a John Rutters Bridge. Fantastic tone machine. I bet if you emailed him the specs he'd do one of his for your specific needs.
Jacob
Website or contact?
http://ruttersguitars.com (http://ruttersguitars.com)
Jacob
Tele bridges are a little bit tricky from my experience, there are subtle but noticeable differences between years and countries of manufacture. I have found that even if the holes all line up, you might get a little peak of the pickup route sneaking out the edge because the plate is a couple of mm too narrow.
If it was MIM or MIA, it would be easier, MIJ and MIK tend to have more oddball dimensions. GFS used to have a couple of units that would work for the Japanese Fenders, that might be worth a look if budget is a concern.
Quote from: peAk on May 28, 2019, 06:00:09 PM
Quote from: Matmosphere on May 28, 2019, 05:14:37 PM
I replaced the bridge on a MIM tele with this wilkenson
https://reverb.com/item/330561-guitar-parts-wilkinson-wtb-bridge-telecaster-tele-brass-saddle-chrome?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5Me5oNu-4gIVilqGCh1YXgTpEAQYAiABEgIAm_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&pla=1
As far as I know if your tele bridge mounts with four screws the wilkenson will be a drop in replacement. There are probably some exceptions to that but for the most part it just works.
I had to do some redrilling because the old bridge had three screws not four. But it was a HUGE upgrade. Way more sustain and an improvement tonewise as well.
One thing that is nice is the wilkenson can do either top load (which I prefer) or through body. so even if those through body holes don't line up you could still use the top load stuff.
see, this is where my confusion comes from. If you looks at the dims of the one you recommended, youll notice that its different than the Gotoh I posted earlier which is pretty much the dims of my current one. I am not sure if this off enough that it matter but my gut says that it is? Yes, my current one is 4 screws but it's still a bit different.
There is a lot of extra space behind the saddles on the gotoh. There has to be due to the design of the saddles. The strings have to come down in the middle of the each saddle, then the screws are behind that. whereas on the Wilkinson the screws are between the double saddles so there doesn't need to be room behind them.
I prefer the ashtray style for whatever reason. But as far as I can tell it's a question of style not function. They both work extremely well.
Callaham makes awesome products, and should have one that matches your guitar:
https://www.callahamguitars.com/tele_bridges_catalog.htm
Quote from: mattc on May 28, 2019, 10:44:57 PM
Callaham makes awesome products, and should have one that matches your guitar:
https://www.callahamguitars.com/tele_bridges_catalog.htm
I have a Callahan on a different guitar. It looks cooler than the Wilkenson but I like the Wilkinson more. It's way cheaper and easily as good quality wise IMO
Quote from: Matmosphere on May 28, 2019, 11:22:28 PM
Quote from: mattc on May 28, 2019, 10:44:57 PM
Callaham makes awesome products, and should have one that matches your guitar:
https://www.callahamguitars.com/tele_bridges_catalog.htm
I have a Callahan on a different guitar. It looks cooler than the Wilkenson but I like the Wilkinson more. It's way cheaper and easily as good quality wise IMO
Whatever direction you go, the Callaham "Will it fit?" page may be of some use? Seems like it's either "vintage" or "modern" when it comes to Tele bridges. No other options.
For what it's worth, I recommend the "Fender Telecaster Custom Bridge Plate w/ Hybrid Double Flange Notches" from Bridge Works (http://thebridge-works.com/Fender-Telecaster-Custom-Bridge-Plate-w-Hybrid-Double-Flange-Notches-P2319033.aspx (http://thebridge-works.com/Fender-Telecaster-Custom-Bridge-Plate-w-Hybrid-Double-Flange-Notches-P2319033.aspx)) from a cost:function ratio.
THE compensated saddles from Callaham are great for intonation if you are going for the vintage two strings per saddle bridge. Get one string intoned and the other is pretty damn near perfect.
The modern bridge you currently have has the same mounting screw and string-thru holes as the vintage ashtray style. Sometimes the vintage bridge can leave a little of the bridge pickup cavity exposed, but that's not that uncommon with teles (heck, I think that's half the reason Leo put on that cover back in the 50s). I've build probably half a dozen teles from parts and scratch and the best bang for your buck is generally the Wilkinson ashtray with compensated saddles. Generally about $20-25 bucks on eBay and I've yet to have one not intonate properly. There's now one with cut down sides for a bit extra if you like the vintage look but don't like knocking your fingers on the tray sides.
Thanks for all the info guys.
I ended up going with the Wilkinson ashtray. It seemed like the best deal to take a chance on. I didnt want to spend too much money then just have to return because it doesnt fit.
It arrived yesterday and it looks to fit like a glove. I plan to set it up today and report back.
Thanks for all the suggestions, guys.
I for the life can't understand the appeal of the vintage ashtray Tele bridge. I don't like the looks of it, but that would be excusable, if it weren't for how it looks like friggin' intonation nightmare. One of life's little mysteries I guess.
That's cos the three saddle Tele bridge oozes 40s, 50s, tweed amps, and comfortably worn guitars with twang.
That said, for a Tele like a Cabronita, I prefer a six saddle bridge. Then it looks more hot-rod, f--- tradition punk.
This is purely from a stylistic POV, mind.
I've had a three saddle bridge Tele, if that is what the 50's and tweed and twang represent I'll leave that to the dustbin of history. It's 2019, I'll take a six piece saddle any time, thank you very much.
Quote from: Muadzin on June 04, 2019, 10:52:38 AM
I've had a three saddle bridge Tele, if that is what the 50's and tweed and twang represent I'll leave that to the dustbin of history. It's 2019, I'll take a six piece saddle any time, thank you very much.
Yeah, I really do enjoy being able to tune all 6 of my strings at once. Its rather nice really.
(I'll admit the goofy brass workaround "compensated" saddles come close, but its still irksome at times in my experience, and the differences are minor to the point of invisible after I layer a few pounds of effects work on top)
The Wilkinson intonated fine. I actually like the way the bridge feels over the modern six saddle one that was there before. My hand rests nicely against the sides.
To each his own. If you're happy with it that's all that matters. To me the ashtray bridge doesn't feel nice and if you think about it its a poor design all the way. It's really designed to be used with that cover plate that nobody ever seems to use. Intonation is harder then with a 6 piece bridge, and if you want to change the pickups you need to remove the entire bridge. Using the six piece hard tail bridge you sometimes see on Strats would make far better sense, and use a different method to install the bridge pickup separately. I reckon that if Leo Fender were to have designed the Tele later in his career he would not have used the ashtray bridge. It's the one thing on this guitar that just doesn't make any sense. That and 21 fret necks.