Best Tele Bridge
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Doughboy
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Marko said:
The Barden, Callaham & Glenfale are 3 saddle bridges & regardless of what they claim, you cannot get proper intonation out of them.
The Gotoh ashtray style bridge that Warmoth carries looks to be pretty good, but I was wondering if there is some super tele bridge out there, since I want to make this build really special.
Doughboy
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bagman67 said:
I wrote Babicz & asked if they sell them with no logo & am awaiting their response. Probably not, but if they do, I'm sold. If not, it'll probably be the Wilkinson Gotoh that Warmoth carries....or maybe I'll get a Khaler Flyer put on there :laughing7:
Super Turbo Deluxe Custom
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Doughboy said:
The advantages of a 3 saddle bridge over the newer 6 saddle individually adjustable bridge are worth it for those that care. Compensated saddles offer more approximate intonation than the older, barrel style. Even with the perfect bridge, intonation is never perfect. It is and has always been a neck issue. If it's intonated perfectly with the open strings but the fretted notes are off, how is that a bridge issue?
mayfly
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I've got the Barden bridge on four guitars and about to use the Glendale on another. I like the compensated bridge, but you're right - it's not perfectly spot on according to my peterson strobe tuner.Super Turbo Deluxe Custom said:
However, it's pretty damn close. Close enough for me mind you. One of those guitars has an earvanna nut and it's the most in-tune guitar I've ever played.
You can get within less than 2 cents on a compensated 3 saddle, I've got one and an earvana too, and it is also my most in-tune guitar. If you are not getting a compensated nut then you don't care enough about intonation to reject a properly made 3 saddle compensated bridge, at least not for intonation reasons.
Also, the Gotoh bridge warmoth sells works perfectly well, I have no complaints about it either. I'd happily buy it or the Barden again.
Also, the Gotoh bridge warmoth sells works perfectly well, I have no complaints about it either. I'd happily buy it or the Barden again.
Doughboy
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bagman67 said:
Babicz got back to me & they do not sell or have any plans to sell their tele bridge without the GIANT logo, so I have to pass. The logo isn't even attractive. Jow Barden has a logo on their tele briedge & it looks quite nice, but the Babicz one looks soooo cheap. It's sad since their bridge seems superior to all the others.
I was wondering about this topic as well. Callaham and Glendale seem to report that their tele bridges vastly improve the tone of the instrument. Does anyone who has tried these agree?
I have a Callaham in one of my strats; it replaced a crappy squier bridge and i have to admit that it did result in a pretty significant difference, I was/am pretty thrilled with it. But i'm wondering how the Tele bridge is.
I have a Callaham in one of my strats; it replaced a crappy squier bridge and i have to admit that it did result in a pretty significant difference, I was/am pretty thrilled with it. But i'm wondering how the Tele bridge is.
Cagey
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Doughboy said:
Y'know... you could still use that Babicz bridge. Just disassemble it when you get it and take the base plate to somebody who does sandblasting. Some engine shops or milling shops have a sandblasting station set up all the time. Five minute job for something like that. Mask off everything but the logo so you still have a nice finish everywhere else, and sandblast the logo so there's just a "satin" sort of finish in that area. You could even just do a stripe across the width of the plate to make it even easier and look intentional. I'll bet it'd only cost $20 or so. Be a shame to pass up such a nice design just because they have egos the size of the sun.
Doughboy
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Cagey said:
Apparently, the logo is quite large & deep on the plate & sand blasting would leave that area icky & ugly & I'm going crazy on the woods for my tele so I want everything looking really nice. I think I will go with the Gotoh ashtray bridge that Warmoth carries. I don't see too many people complaining about it & Gotoh makes really good products. Plus, Brent Mason has one on his signature tele so it can't be that bad.
Cagey
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I didn't know how seriously they'd inflicted that logo on there. I wonder how many other people pass it up for the same reason?
I do agree the Gotoh part is a decent-looking and well-designed bridge assembly. Certainly much better than the typical Tele hardware.
I do agree the Gotoh part is a decent-looking and well-designed bridge assembly. Certainly much better than the typical Tele hardware.
bagman67
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jalane said:
Bear in mind that I am a cynic about all things ad-copy/hype related, so your mileage and the opinions of others may differ considerably.
The difference you hear is probably the same difference you would have heard if you had supplied ANY after-market, decently-constructed bridge. Anything more-better after that is possibly there, but unlikely to be insanely better.
Bagman
On my tonarcaster, I'm actually spending a good $170 on the bridge. Double-cut cold rolled steel blackguard-type bridge, with the twang plus (brass e/b, g/d, and a/e saddles, and am aluminum a/e, so I can switch, all compensated) saddle set. Is that more than I need to spend? Sure. I just don't want weaknesses in my guitar, so I'm going with high quality everything. Except playing, of course :laughing7:
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