Members Cyber_Chyld Posted March 8, 2008 Members Share Posted March 8, 2008 Whilst I love alsmost everything about my telecaster, I'm getting really hacked off by the old school, 3 saddle, ashtray bridge. Every time I play live I end up slicing my finger tip open leaving blood over my guitars (rock and roll yes, fun no!). I'm also having a hard time getting used to the intonation (or lack of it!). So, I'd like to put a six saddle, non ashtray type bridge on it. Whilst I know a lot of people consider it sacrilidge, I reckon I'm happy to trade off any tonal 'losses' with an improvement in playability and intonation. What are my options as regards bridges? The guitar's a '62 custom reissue MIJ tele, with the four screw bridge (through body strung).If at all possible I'd like to avoid drilling any more holes in the guitar.In an ideal world I'd like a 'bolt on' replacement. I found this one on e-bay: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=270216982206&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=017 EDIT: Just found this too - http://www.sinewavemusic.co.uk/prod16gotmod.html Looks to me like it's do the job, whaddya reckon? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Minnie The Moocher Posted March 8, 2008 Members Share Posted March 8, 2008 There's a confusion in your post: the "ashtray" is NOT the bridge, but the removable cover found on the vintage models. Anyway, everytime I replaced three saddles tele bridges by the six saddles ones, I lost a large part of the beloved tele tone. So, no six saddles bridges for me, but three compensated saddles ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Cyber_Chyld Posted March 8, 2008 Author Members Share Posted March 8, 2008 There's a confusion in your post: the "ashtray" is NOT the bridge, but the removable cover found on the vintage models.Anyway, everytime I replaced three saddles tele bridges by the six saddles ones, I lost a large part of the beloved tele tone. So, no six saddles bridges for me, but three compensated saddles ones. Interesting, looks like this could be a bit of a journey..... Re: Ashtray, I've just always heard them called 'ashtray bridges', but I suppose that's with regard to the 'ashtray' fitted to them originally. Hmmmmm...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dylanw23 Posted March 8, 2008 Members Share Posted March 8, 2008 That Gotoh bridge (in the second link you posted) is pretty much the standard replacement bridge for people who want to do what you're doing. I think the MIM Telecasters come with a Korean bridge that also works. I know a lot of people replace those with the older bridge, so you might be able to find one of those on eBay. This subject has come up on occasion at TDPRI, so doing a search there could be useful to you. There's a confusion in your post: the "ashtray" is NOT the bridge, but the removable cover found on the vintage models. The term "ashtray" is not official, and enough people use it to refer to the bridge itself, so referring to the original 3-saddle bridge as an "ashtray bridge" is quite acceptable. People will know what you mean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Dolf Posted March 8, 2008 Members Share Posted March 8, 2008 MASSIVE FAIL. A tele is not a tele without the ashtray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Cyber_Chyld Posted March 8, 2008 Author Members Share Posted March 8, 2008 MASSIVE FAIL.A tele is not a tele without the ashtray. My finger is not a finger when the skin is missing and bleeding. A G chord is not a G chord when the 5th is not in tune. See where you're coming from, but by the same token I'm getting really tired of injuring myself every time I play one of my favourite guitars! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Dolf Posted March 8, 2008 Members Share Posted March 8, 2008 My finger is not a finger when the skin is missing and bleeding.A G chord is not a G chord when the 5th is not in tune.See where you're coming from, but by the same token I'm getting really tired of injuring myself every time I play one of my favourite guitars! I don't see how you're doing that! lol You're bringing your hand too far away from the guitar and hitting the strings too hard. You'll probably cut your hand on a 6-saddle as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Cyber_Chyld Posted March 8, 2008 Author Members Share Posted March 8, 2008 I don't see how you're doing that! lol You're bringing your hand too far away from the guitar and hitting the strings too hard. You'll probably cut your hand on a 6-saddle as well. No, it's totally down to the ashtray bridge. Never had any problems on any other guitar. My two gibbies with T-O-M bridges, no probs. I pick ups the Tele, strike down on a chord and by the time I've hit the first chorus It's just the edge of that bloody ashtray. I've thought about cutting the edge off around the base plate, but then I've still got that intonation issue. Might try and get hold of one of those Ghotos and give it a go. I should mention I'm quite an agressive player. I run 11s as a matter of course, and 12s on my downtuned guitars. I do smack 'em quite hard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Dolf Posted March 8, 2008 Members Share Posted March 8, 2008 hmm, I guess I see what you're saying. When I play, I rest my palm on the edge of the ashtray bridge (similarly to resting it on the TOM on a paul) so there's no chance I'm cutting anything. Well, different strokes. Just try to make sure you get brass saddles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Brick Posted March 8, 2008 Members Share Posted March 8, 2008 I smack em quite hard too But the fact that your cutting yourself is so stupid, you must be a huge retard. so try settling down and controlling your hand when you play Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DaveGrima Posted March 8, 2008 Members Share Posted March 8, 2008 http://www.glguitars.com/shopping/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=3&cat=Bridges These G and L bridges rock. Tone of brass saddles with intonation accuracy.Ive got one on my ASAT and there are no sharp ends at all. Smooth as butter. Shouls retro-fit a fender. Good Luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Dolf Posted March 8, 2008 Members Share Posted March 8, 2008 I smack em quite hard too But the fact that your cutting yourself is so stupid, you must be a huge retard. so try settling down and controlling your hand when you play :freak: lols Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members M900 Posted March 8, 2008 Members Share Posted March 8, 2008 I have this; with a cover I haven't put this together, but it worked well on my other tele Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Pope on a Rope Posted March 8, 2008 Members Share Posted March 8, 2008 I think it is your technique that is causing you to cut your hand. Many thousands of people are able to play their ashtray bridge Telecasters without injuring themselves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dylanw23 Posted March 8, 2008 Members Share Posted March 8, 2008 MASSIVE FAIL.A tele is not a tele without the ashtray. Utter nonsense. A Telecaster is any guitar that FMIC (who own the trademark) sees fit to call a Telecaster. I'm sure they sell a lot more Telecasters with modern bridges than otherwise. And it's pretty stupid to suggest that somebody's playing is at fault just because their guitar doesn't suit them in some way. If your feet hurt, would you assume that your feet were the wrong size for your shoes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members StringJunky Posted March 8, 2008 Members Share Posted March 8, 2008 Meh...I've never had anyone in an audience throw up their hands and walk out because I had a six saddle tele. Maaaaaaybe because I'm teh suck, but not because of my saddle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members csm Posted March 8, 2008 Members Share Posted March 8, 2008 Hate to tell you this (partly because I'm an 'ashtray' bridge devotee myself -- it provides a perfect resting place for the heel of my hand), but Uncle Keef's pet Tele 'Micawber' has the 'flat' bridge, probably because since it's set up as a 5-stringer, it required a 6-saddle (rather than a trad 3-barrel) bridge. Point being: any Tele Keef plays is a Tele. END OF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Brewski Posted March 8, 2008 Members Share Posted March 8, 2008 You may want to: 1. get compensated bridge saddles for intonation.2. do some personal filing/screw cutting to avoid the painful issues with Fender guitars - razor sharp screw heads, hardware edges, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Scotty Danger Posted March 8, 2008 Members Share Posted March 8, 2008 my Callaham 3 saddle ashtray bridge is amazing it is way comfy and the intonation is great. they are really pricey, but i think you would like it a lot. oh, and the sides of the ashtray are lower than other brands. i'm not a fan of ashtrays that have really high sides . . . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mac_C Posted March 8, 2008 Members Share Posted March 8, 2008 Brent Mason uses a 6 saddles bridge and I don't think that anyone would say his Tele tone is lacking. Same goes with James Burton. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BlueJames Posted March 8, 2008 Members Share Posted March 8, 2008 I have a flat bridge plate with no edge on a 2000 MIM, I put six graph-tech saddles on it and it's very comfy and still twangs hard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Dolf Posted March 8, 2008 Members Share Posted March 8, 2008 Utter nonsense. A Telecaster is any guitar that FMIC (who own the trademark) sees fit to call a Telecaster. I'm sure they sell a lot more Telecasters with modern bridges than otherwise.And it's pretty stupid to suggest that somebody's playing is at fault just because their guitar doesn't suit them in some way. If your feet hurt, would you assume that your feet were the wrong size for your shoes? your FACE is utter nonsense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Cyber_Chyld Posted March 9, 2008 Author Members Share Posted March 9, 2008 I smack em quite hard too But the fact that your cutting yourself is so stupid, you must be a huge retard. so try settling down and controlling your hand when you play Wow, did I really deserve that? I have no desire to 'settle down' as you put it. It's called stagecraft, sometimes it just looks and feels good! Just try telling pete tonwsend to 'settle down' eh? No windmills for you Pete, you're obviously a retard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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