Just making absolutely sure.

[ChristopherG]

This bridge has the same hole geometry as the Gotoh Humbucker tele bridge right?

http://www.armadilloguitar.com/shopping/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_3&products_id=39

I am going with EMGs in my build, partly for the ability to swap out pickups with ease, and I don't want to have to take the bridge off everytime I want to change the bridge pickup.

A pic of just the plate.

http://www.armadilloguitar.com/shopping/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_3&products_id=38

Sorry for the link, I couldn't insert the picture. Stupid work computer.

 

[stratamania]

It has the four hole mounting which is similar. I couldn't see any dimension information but it should be about right.

To be absolutely certain perhaps contact them and ask if they have dimension info.

 

[ChristopherG]

Ok. The mount holes are an exact match but the string to string spacing is off on the wide side by .295 mils. Workable or should I just have a machine shop chop down a gotoh?

 

[Cagey]

True "vintage" bridges have a 2 3/16" or 2 7/32" string spacing, while you want "modern" (2 1/8") string spacing to fit a Warmoth neck. Otherwise, the E strings will have a tendency to slip off the neck while playing. Both the vintage and modern (Gotoh) Tele bridges that Warmoth sells have modern spacing, so no worries there.

 

[ChristopherG]

Machine shop it is then.

 

[stratamania]

I don't think it's workable for the reasons Cagey mentioned.

 

[ChristopherG]

Actually, according to the specs on the warmoth site, the string spread of the gotoh is 2 1/16.

 

[Cagey]

Yeah, I forgot to mention that if the body is drilled for vintage spacing, then the string-thru holes will be off by a smidgen with a modern-spaced bridge. But, it's not by much - you can actually open up those holes a bit without issue and get things to line up well enough for rock 'n' roll. Stringing it may present a bit of fight here and there, but it'll work if you're patient.

Need to measure those holes from high E centerline to low E centerline to see what's been done there.

 

[ChristopherG]

Will it was ordered drilled for the Gotoh bridge, so that should match up. My issue is that while Gotoh makes a chopped 3 saddle bridge, they don't make a chopped 6 saddle bridge. No biggy, nothing a few cans of beer and a machinist can't solve.

 

[stratamania]

A Strat hardtail bridge might have been suitable had the body not had the four screw mount.

 

[ChristopherG]

Yeah, my mistake for not having completely solidified my plans before ordering. I was so excited that they actually had a one-piece sutable hunk of walnut in that I got a bit trigger happy.

@stratamania Loved your tele build thread. What is your tea of choice? I am a Bewley's IBT and Ty-phoo Gold man myself.

 

[Cagey]

My concern with machining down the Gotoh part would be that you'll have an unplated or unfinished edge exposed that might not be attractive. You could dig around and see if somebody else makes such a thing. Gotoh may not have a lock on that idea. Just be careful to check actual dimensions, as some vendors throw around terms like "vintage" to get people excited. But, there's vintage appearance and vintage dimensions, which may not be the same thing. Warmoth's parts are that way, for instance. What they call "vintage" Tele bridges look vintage, but actually have modern string spacing. Gotta make sure you get the right thing.

 

[ChristopherG]

It will only be a little bit there at the edges. If I decide it is too hideous to live with I can always have it chopped back just enough to accomodate a trim ring. But yeah, in the mean time I will be scouring the web for a ready made solution.

 

[stratamania]

There's a couple of makers who make half Tele type bridges or stainless steel models that aren't plated. The only thing is most of them seem to be three saddle options.

@ChristopherG, thanks for your comments on the Tele build. I think that stain might have been PG Tips or Yorkshire Tea. I might be changing a couple of things on that guitar in a couple of months...

I like both of those, English Breakfast and Assam. Typhoo gold I don't think I've tried or the Bewleys.

If I had to pick one probably Yorkshire tea.

 

[ChristopherG]

Yeah, I looked at a couple. The Wilkenson and one other. The measurements were slightly off. The guy at armadillo says Gotoh had to do this back in the day to keep out of court.

I wonder, because humbuckers don't have the oversized base that the tele bridge single does, if a pickup could be "angled" in through the plate "ring".

 

[Cagey]

If you know a machinist, maybe a sketch of exactly what you want could be fabbed up from scratch. Or, ask DangerousR6. He's got some bridge-making experience, and knows which end of a mill you're not supposed to put your mouth on. Here's one of the bridges he made for me to put on a Tele, and it would fit all your requirements...

Back view

Front view

Bottom view, with tone-enhancing scripture

Closer view of millwork. Nicely relieved.

With Graphtech String Savers installed

Its planned use​

I ended up not using that particular part, but I did put one just like it but made of brass on another Tele...

 

[musicispeace]

Warmoth has told me on several occasions that if you order a Showcase body routed for a vintage flat mount hard tail bridge and want to get their narrow Fender flat mount (or other manufacturers bridge) for humbuckers they simply have the shop open up the holes a little before shipping. So ties back to what Cagey said. Go to the custom builder on the Warmoth site and play around with the hardtail bridge routes on a tele body builder and you'll get a look at an approximation of what they do.

 

[ChristopherG]

Hey Cagey, thanks for pointing me R6's way. That bridge is bad ass. Contact has been made.

 

[Cagey]

I thought it was pretty cool. It was originally designed by another member here who went by "Scartozi", but he hasn't been around in a while. The original intention was to make something that looked sorta like an acoustic guitar bridge, but for an electric. I got a couple, Updown got a couple, and I'm sure Scartozi got a couple, but they never did catch on like he thought they would.

 

[ChristopherG]

I don't know why. It has a classy look particularly suited for the Tele shape.