Acoustic looking Strat bridge...AKA "Scartozi Bridge"

[scartozi]

Ok, when I first set out on this project a while ago the idea was to make a bridge that looked like an acoustic bridge but work with the saddles from a Strat. Also, this was intended to be installed on a hardtail Strat with single humbucker and rear rout. Since I haven't got around to doing my scratch build I decided to give it a go on one of my MIM strats. I knew that it would look a little "Bulky" due to the fact that I had to use the 6 hole mounting therefore making the whole bridge about 3/8" deeper.

I've made one before but was unhappy with the way our copy router routed out the center, it has a lot of grooves that will require quite a bit of work to smooth it out. So I contacted Doug....Mr. DangerousR6 and asked if he could use the CNC to do the center cut out in hopes that it would produce a smoother finish than our copy router. Doug did a fantastic job, dimensions were spot on and it only required some slight sanding with 600 grit paper and it polished right up.

Overall I'm happy with the way it turned out, I still have some "tweaking" to do...such as, I'll change out the factory intonation screws with some socket head screws counter sunk flush with the back of the bridge. Once I receive my block aluminum I'll be making a beefy trem block to go along with the bridge. I was on a roll and from start to finish I had around 4 hours and that included layout and drilling all the holes and hand shaping, sanding and polishing. Here are a couple pics of the process.

 

[scartozi]

few more pics

 

[DangerousR6]

Looks kick ass Adam... :headbang:

 

[mgaut051]

Great job whipping up something no ones ever seen before. Hard to be original. Hats off to you!

 

[Cagey]

That's a fine-looking part! Good job!

 

[swarfrat]

Original idea, and superb work. Nice job to both of you. Still planning on making all my hardware for a guitar one day.

 

[scartozi]

Thanks for the compliments :toothy12: a lot of filing but it didn't take as long as i thought. I need to get some strings and I'll post some more pics. The taper on the bridge makes a nice place for your palm to rest.

 

[Cagey]

Are those set screws for the saddle height adjustment bothering you at all?

Reason I ask is because I put one of these Gotoh Tele bridges...

...on my Tele, and a buddy who played it said right off "You gotta do something about these set screws!"

I didn't think they were a problem, but I could see where it might be more comfy if they sat flush or below the saddle castings. Maybe he was just nit-picking. Most of his guitars have TOMs on them, and if there's a more obtrusive bridge out there than that, I don't think I've seen it.

 

[scartozi]

I won't know until I set the saddle height but I plan on getting Graph Tech saddles which on my MIA strat took care of the screw problem....they aren't as "sharp" as the factory screws.

 

[leo12.]

  Real nice original part the graphtec saddles will suit that a lot better than the vintage ones very impressed.

 

[Cagey]

I won't know until I set the saddle height but I plan on getting Graph Tech saddles which on my MIA strat took care of the screw problem....they aren't as "sharp" as the factory screws.

That's a good idea. Maybe I'll try that instead of looking all over hell's creation for shorter set screws. Been wanting to try a set of Graphtech saddles anyway.

Edit: Done. Looked at the bridge again, and decided my buddy was right. Damn screws are way high. Ordered some Graphtechs.

 

[Johnfv]

I agree the set screws on the Gotoh tele bridge are too long on the middle saddles. I actually had enough old Strat saddles around with short screws to replace the long ones. I am a big fan of Graph Tech stuff so that is a simple solution. I emailed Warmoth and asked if they sold replacement screws, here was the reply: "Unfortunately, we don’t sell saddle screws. I have this bridge too. I fixed this problem by removing the saddle screws and grinding the bottoms of the screws down a bit. Make sure not to grind the tops as you will shave away the wrench slot if you do."  So, grinding or cutting them down could be an option also.

Nice looking bridge BTW scartozi

 

[Cagey]

I considered grinding on them, too. But, I couldn't see a good way of holding on to the little rascals reliably and figured I'd end up losing at least one, if not 3 or 4 of the things to the eerie netherworld small parts magically transport to when launched off a bench grinder. Then, I'd have to find new set screws anyway, so may as well do that right off rather than risk taking an eye out.

But, the Graphtech solution is much more elegant and is something of an upgrade, so that's the winner.

 

[scartozi]

here are my graph techs installed on my strat previously known as Driftwood. So much nicer to play and not feel like a cat is clawing you hand. Almost none of the screws are sticking out and if they do they are much "user friendly".

I'll order some for this bridge after x-mas.

Leo12.....I also think the graph techs will suit this bridge better.

 

[Johnfv]

I have old school black string saver saddles on some of my guitars (including a Wilkinson) but recently I have been using the "string saver classic" models in chrome.

 

[Cagey]

here are my graph techs installed on my strat previously known as Driftwood. So much nicer to play and not feel like a cat is clawing you hand. Almost none of the screws are sticking out and if they do they are much "user friendly".

Yeah, you're right. That's the ticket.

 

[DangerousR6]

Are those set screws for the saddle height adjustment bothering you at all?

Reason I ask is because I put one of these Gotoh Tele bridges...



...on my Tele, and a buddy who played it said right off "You gotta do something about these set screws!"

I didn't think they were a problem, but I could see where it might be more comfy if they sat flush or below the saddle castings. Maybe he was just nit-picking. Most of his guitars have TOMs on them, and if there's a more obtrusive bridge out there than that, I don't think I've seen it.

That's why I use...

 

[Cagey]

Yeah, good choice. Those are real unobtrusive. I mean, relative to the Eiffel Tower <grin>

 

[AutoBat]

Here's my before & after when I changed my bridge & saddles.

^Before

^After

 

[scartozi]

Got me some strings this evening and got everything set up. I'll admit that I was a little nervous as I pulled the first string through the bridge to the nut and sighted down the neck....but everything lines up perfect :cool01: I was also worried that the bridge would get in the way of the volume knob but it doesn't....whewww. Here is a pic of it all strung up on my guinea pig guitar....the bridge is quite comfy resting your palm on it. I have a feeling I'll be making one for my MIA strat.  :guitaristgif: