Recessed TOM Bridge on Tele body

[chrisg]

I have a Tele body with a recessed TOM cutout (the standard Warmoth TOM rout).  When I look at the GOTOH specs they are setup for a 12 inch radius on the bridge, and I am planning on using a compound radius Strat neck for this build.  My questions are:
1. has anyone used this setup before?
2. is there likely to be any issues with using the 10 to 16 inch radius?

All feedback appreciated.

 

[tfarny]

This is a well-known and discussed issue, or for some, non-issue. The actual difference between a 12 inch radius and 18 inch radius (the compound radius cone extended out to the bridge = about 18 inch radius) is so small it can be hard to see visually, but it is there. The standard tune o matic and the Gotoh 510 have the same radius, so it's not just the recessed TOM. The solution is to file the bridge saddles down using a simple triangle file so that the bridge radius is about 18 inches, or 16 or so. The alternative is to ignore it - your middle strings will just be a tiny bit higher action than your outside strings, depending on your pickiness it will be a big deal or nothing noticeable.
FWIW, I filed my TOM saddles down to about 16, and it wasn't really that hard.

 

[chrisg]

Thanks Tfarny.  Filing down the saddles sounds like a good idea.  I'll get a set of radius gauges to get it right  :icon_thumright: