2 1/8 telecaster bridge and 1 5/8 neck?

[New_World]

Will this work or will the e strings be too close to the edge of the fretboard?

 

[Cagey]

Yes, and yes. But, you might not like it.

A typical Fender neck width is 2 3/16" at the heel edge-to-edge. So, a 2 1/8" (2 2/16") spaced bridge only leaves you 1/16" to share between the two edges, putting the E strings within 1/32" of the fretboard edge. That's perilously close, and will often result in pushing or pulling the strings off the neck while playing. This is often referred to as "vintage spacing". "Modern spacing" at the bridge is slightly narrower, usually 2 1/16".

As for nut width, it rarely matters to playability outside of player comfort. Use whatever floats your boat on that end.

 

[Fat Pete]

I don't like the strings too close to the fingerboard edge, but don't have an issue with the stock Tele setup (that extra 3/32" on a vintage Strat is another matter).

As Cagey suggests, the difference in string position at the heel with a 1 5/8" vs 1 11/16" nut is very, very small.

As with all these things though, it depends on your tastes and what you're used to.

 

[New_World]

Yes, and yes. But, you might not like it.

A typical Fender neck width is 2 3/16" at the heel edge-to-edge. So, a 2 1/8" (2 2/16") spaced bridge only leaves you 1/16" to share between the two edges, putting the E strings within 1/32" of the fretboard edge. That's perilously close, and will often result in pushing or pulling the strings off the neck while playing. This is often referred to as "vintage spacing". "Modern spacing" at the bridge is slightly narrower, usually 2 1/16".

As for nut width, it rarely matters to playability outside of player comfort. Use whatever floats your boat on that end.

So I should get the slightly narrower tele bridge?

 

[Rick]

It it were me, I'd get the narrow bridge, but, this is a matter of personal taste.  If you are hesitating, as KG said, you probably should listen to your inner voice and either get the wider neck, or the narrower bridge.

 

[bagman67]

I assembled my green tele with a vintage-spaced bridge and am ready to swap for a modern-spaced one because of the tendency for the high E string to slip over the edge.  The threat of annoyance is very real there.

 

[stratamania]

The difference between a 1 5/8" versus 1 11/16" neck has extremely little difference on how close the E strings are to the edge of the fretboard with a vintage spaced bridge, it is the bridge spacing. A far better option if you want to avoid playing close to the edge is a more modern narrow spaced bridge.

 

[BroccoliRob]

Compared to a vintage strat bridge (ultra omega wide) a tele bridge is probably a dream when it comes to closeness to the fret edges

Arent tune o magics also 2 1/8?

 

[Fat Pete]

Compared to a vintage strat bridge (ultra omega wide) a tele bridge is probably a dream when it comes to closeness to the fret edges

Arent tune o magics also 2 1/8?

Quite. The modern style (but vintage mount) Gotoh Tele bridges that W sells are standard 2 1/8" spacing - I'm not sure which 4 screw mount Tele bridges are narrower(?)

Tune o magics are whatever spacing their responsible wizard wants them to be.

 

[BroccoliRob]

Tune o magics are whatever spacing their responsible wizard wants them to be.