Bridge Choice, Help !

[Mightymoe]

Hello All
I'm new to the board and hope someone can help. Almost ready to pull the trigger on my second Warmoth build. The Thinline I just completed had the problem of string height with the Hipshot Stainless Hardtail Bridge, almost maxed out set screws. Most likely will have to shim the bridge. I would like to avoid the problem on the next build which is also a Thinline but with the 720 Mod. I really like the Hipshot Fixed 6 string. So, which bridge route do I go with and what floor thickness (.125 or .175) should I use to avoid action issues.
Thanks In Advance

 

[swarfrat]

Check your neck pocket for finish.  if need be you can shim the neck but if your bridge is way way too short it's probably a neck joint issue.

 

[Cagey]

Which hipshot are you talking about? Is it this style?

If so, I've had this problem before on a Strat. I ended up using the .175" floor part and re-routing the neck pocket to lower the floor of the pocket. Never did figure out why.

I don't know how to advise you, because in theory you shouldn't have to do anything. But, I'm not the first one to have this problem, either.

I put one of those on a Tele I recently sold, and didn't have to do anything with that one. But, it was a carved-top, so who knows?

I wouldn't shim anything. They're always a compromise. If you have access to and/or are comfortable with a router, you can just buy what sounds right and adjust after the fact if necessary. It's not as hard as it sounds, but you may need to buy a bit and a template. Adds cost, but it is a nice bridge. Worth it, in my estimation, particularly on Teles.

 

[Mightymoe]

No Sir, it's not that one, they just call it the Hipshot Stainless Hardtail Bridge, and there's no choice on size. I want to use the one pictured but don't want the issues.
Thx 

 

[Mightymoe]

BTW, Very Nice Tele...................

 

[Cagey]

Thanks. I never did bond with it. Couldn't get next to the finish, so the body's been sitting around for a while. Once it was all assembled and playable, I sorta hated to part with it - turned out really nice. Plays and sounds great. But, the guy who got it is super-happy, so that's a blessing.

 

[Mightymoe]

Do you recall the Bridge route you had on the Tele and did the Hipshot holes line up well ??  From everything I've read, odds are with the .175 Floor, I shouldn't have any drama.  Won't be the first time I rolled the dice...
Thx

 

[Cagey]

No, sorry, and I gave the file with all the paperwork to the buyer so I can't look it up.

Chances are pretty good that it was a standard Tele bridge route, and I re-drilled to suit for the Hipshot. The string-thru holes were probably good, but the mounting holes were probably off.

 

[Mightymoe]

Hipshot has the drawings, just need to the Fender stuff.
Thanks for the help

 

[frown]

I recently built a Replacement Tele by Warmoth and used a .125 Hipshot bridge as i had the 720 mod done:

I've got a Jazzmaster on the way which will also be getting a .125 Hipshot bridge as it has the 720 mod.

For reference I have a Fender Cabronita that I've replaced the stock bridge with a .175 Hipshot bridge as there is no 720 mod.

As for the bridge route to suit the Hipshot see 'Hipshot Flat Mount SB 5105-010' at the bottom of:

http://www.warmoth.com/Guitar/Bodies/Options/BridgeRoutingOptions.aspx

It's a $45 custom request from Warmoth - and I added '**HIPSHOT HARDTAIL BRIDGE - I APPROVE THE $45 CHARGE**' to the Notes field on the online order form.

Hope this helps!

 

[Mightymoe]

That helps, takes out the guesswork. I saw that on the Warmoth site and the serial number threw me off, it isn't a Hipshot number as far as I can tell.
Thanks a Bunch !
Moe

 

[Mightymoe]

Just got off the phone with Josh from Hipshot, very nice folks by the way, and he said the bridge route on the above mentioned bridge is the same as the Fender American Standard Strat Hard tail. Hmmm, Roll the dice or pay the price...

 

[frown]

Just got off the phone with Josh from Hipshot, very nice folks by the way, and he said the bridge route on the above mentioned bridge is the same as the Fender American Standard Strat Hard tail. Hmmm, Roll the dice or pay the price...

In that case I'm gonna be complaining to Warmoth, for over charging me $90 for 'Hipshot' bridge routing on two bodies I've ordered as there's no charge for a Fender American Standard Strat Hard Tail bridge rout according to the website builder!

Grrrrrr...

 

[Mightymoe]

Did you have to send em the Bridge ?

 

[Mightymoe]

I'll no doubt pay the 45 bucks to know it's drilled right, if it aint, it's on them. 

 

[frown]

No, I didn't need to send the bridge. Everything fitted so I was happy. If indeed the American Standard Hard Tail bridge rout is the same, I'd like to know what the Hipshot up charge is for...

Either way - they do a great job at Warmoth. Can't wait for my current order to be shipped!