Hipshot hardtail / 720 Mod Questions

[lucky13]

Ok guys I want to know do I order the .125 base plate or the .175 base plate hipshot hardtail bridge with the 720 Mod on a 72 Tele Deluxe -"Custom" build with No pickguard Rear Route body ?

Im not going Vintage so I want to Mac out my build with Player friendly features like Hipshots smooth edged hardtail bridge and the 720 Mod for a sleeker build.

I want the lowest action I can get while still retaining killer tone and using Klein 1959 paf's or Lollar imperial humbuckers and the 59 neck back profile with a straight 12" radius quartersawn Maple Neck with Indian Rosewood finger board.

I want to adjust the saddles using the bridge plate that would yield the best action with the least saddle hieght adjustment, which in theory would seem to me to be the .175 bridge plate model bridge however I have heard of some guys talking about issues using the Hipshot bridge any input on this subject would be greatly appreciated, I have read some of the other threads on this topic but never got a final conclusion from the post I read.

                                              Thank you in advance, Chris

 

[Cagey]

That's a good question. I had some difficulty with what I'm assuming is the same bridge, but it was on a Strat. Same dimensions you'd be concerned with on a Tele, though. The thread's here, but I don't think it'll be any help. The whole thing was weird, and while it worked out in the end there was never any good reason for it. Maybe that's the thread you read already.

What you could do is install the neck and measure what the peak fret height is from the body surface at the 22nd (or last) fret. On my Hipshot bridge, which has a .175" floor, about as high as you'd want to adjust a saddle would put the string up at ~.475" so I assume the .125" version would put that number at ~.425". Subtracting either of those numbers from your fret height number would give you a string clearance. Pick the one that makes sense, understanding that the saddles can be lowered ~.050" from those max heights.

 

[lucky13]

Thanks Cagey, I did read your post and Im hoping with the 720 MOd that I wont run into any problems as it should elimminate raising the saddles too far ( or at least it should ).

Why Warmoth still does not offer this bridge route after all these years that the Hipshot has been on the market is a bit baffling; considering that no bridge out there is as asthetically pleasing and comfortable as the hipshot, not to mention it looks somewhat Tele Ash tray in an alternative hardtail; as well as; The Other Body manufacturer in Puyallup routes for it...(come on Warmoth We love you but you really cant add one more bridge route option so we dont have to (kinda line things up).

Anyway I apppreciate all experiences good and bad with this bridge and yes its the rounded tray Hipshot Hardtail that Stew Mac sells that Im discussing not their Vintage style bridge plate, though I wouldnt mind hearing about any products of equal quality....

And yes I know I could order a cheaper quality model and it would be fine, but sometimes a guy has to have something a little nicer and asthetically pleasing ie: the Hipshot 

Why No Route after all these years? 

 

[Cagey]

Why No Route after all these years? 

There are basically 2 ways Warmoth does things like that - the automatic way, where the CNC machine just gets a program chosen to run, and by hand. Since CNC work requires programming and subsequent testing, they probably don't go to the trouble if there isn't a lot of call for a part. But, they may have templates that would allow it to be done manually, and for a price (usually $45) there are lots of options you can get. They're just not choices in the builder - you have to call and ask about them.

For instance, they do list routings/drill patterns for these bridges:

FISHMAN TELE 101 BRIDGE
FISHMAN POWERBRIDGE HARDTAIL
FISHMAN T.O.M.
FISHMAN TSV POWERBRIDGE
LR BAGGS T.O.M
LR BAGGS X TREM
LR BAGGS HARDTAIL
SCHALLER 494 STOP TAIL PIECE W/FINE TUNERS
SCHALLER STM MODEL 451, 452 OR 453
GIBSON B-0510-010 SG STYLE T.O.M.
HIPSHOT TREMOLO
HIPSHOT FLAT MOUNT SB 5105-010
GOTOH 510 TS-RS1 2-HOLE TREMOLO
GOTOH 101
CARVIN FTG HARDTAIL

You'll notice the bridge style you and I are both using (at the highlight) - they do drill for it. Who knew?

 

[lucky13]

Thank you Cagey, your a wealth of usefull and appreciated knowledge, I am very happy to learn of this.

 

[Cagey]

You're welcome. Happy to share.