Members k4df4l Posted August 3, 2006 Members Share Posted August 3, 2006 Since everyone likes shooting the {censored} on teles... On some other sites I have noticed many MIM players claiming some substantial improvement in tone/sustain/you name it from swapping their stock 6 saddle MIM tele bridge for either a replacement fender 3 or $$$ aftermarket unit. What say you if you have swapped just the bridge, what did you use and what did you notice? Anyone record any A/B clips for comparison rather than relying on memory? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lowbrow Posted August 3, 2006 Members Share Posted August 3, 2006 Have two MIM. One has a compensated three brass saddle bridge. Though the necks are different (and now the pickups), when the pickups were closer to being the same, I think it had slightly more "twang" with the three saddle bridge. Not a huge difference, but it is noticible. Aesthetically, I love the look of the three saddle bridge. My six saddle will be staying stock though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members k4df4l Posted August 3, 2006 Author Members Share Posted August 3, 2006 Originally posted by lowbrow Have two MIM. One has a compensated three brass saddle bridge. Though the necks are different (and now the pickups), when the pickups were closer to being the same, I think it had slightly more "twang" with the three saddle bridge. Not a huge difference, but it is noticible. Aesthetically, I love the look of the three saddle bridge. My six saddle will be staying stock though. Was the 3 saddle a swap or stock? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lowbrow Posted August 3, 2006 Members Share Posted August 3, 2006 Originally posted by k4df4l Was the 3 saddle a swap or stock? Techincally a swap, but I got it that way. Fender ashtray with aftermarket brass compensateds. Had OEM Fender saddles for about 15 minutes, and then I stuck the compensateds on there. No diff, other than I was able to get it intonated. One of the benefits of buying a MIM over a MIA tele is the older bridges are a direct bolt on replacement if you are so inclined. Not the case with MIA stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members k4df4l Posted August 3, 2006 Author Members Share Posted August 3, 2006 Originally posted by lowbrow Techincally a swap, but I got it that way. Fender ashtray with aftermarket brass compensateds. Had OEM Fender saddles for about 15 minutes, and then I stuck the compensateds on there. No diff, other than I was able to get it intonated. One of the benefits of buying a MIM over a MIA tele is the older bridges are a direct bolt on replacement if you are so inclined. Not the case with MIA stuff. dig... I am curious to hear some feedback from folks that swapped a 3 saddle for an orig 6 on the same guit with no other modifications. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members k4df4l Posted August 6, 2006 Author Members Share Posted August 6, 2006 Did the swap with a Wilkinson 3 saddle brass compensated. Functionally, I think it is superior to the MIM 6 saddle. Tonally? eh.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Sparky6string Posted August 6, 2006 Members Share Posted August 6, 2006 Originally posted by k4df4l Did the swap with a Wilkinson 3 saddle brass compensated. Functionally, I think it is superior to the MIM 6 saddle. Tonally? eh.... How is it functionally superior? Did you go Stew Mac? How much? I have the barrells but not compensated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members k4df4l Posted August 6, 2006 Author Members Share Posted August 6, 2006 Originally posted by Sparky6string How is it functionally superior? Did you go Stew Mac? How much? I have the barrells but not compensated. Functionally I pref it because setting up the bridge was a snap that prb took less than two minutes with spot on intonation and easy height adj. I had a sympathetic vibration on the stocker from the first and second string saddle rubbing together, which when you look at the design and tollerances, is easy to see why. I got it off ebay for 29 bucks shipped. GFS carries the same bridge for a similar price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members AndyZ Posted August 6, 2006 Members Share Posted August 6, 2006 While it is a bit pricier than most, the Callaham bridge and brass saddles, increased tone and sustain 10 fold. One of the best I've tried. The Callaham also is notched on the Hi E side to get your fingers in there. Glendale Guitars makes a great set of saddles and bridges as well now. I'll be getting these for my '83 Tele. Here's my MIM '95 Telecaster Special with the Callaham setup... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members k4df4l Posted August 6, 2006 Author Members Share Posted August 6, 2006 Andy, outside of the symp vib my tele never had a problem with tone or sustain so I kinda doubt I would have seen a $120 improvement over what I found with the wilkinson. YMMV..Rock on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members AndyZ Posted August 7, 2006 Members Share Posted August 7, 2006 I thought the same thing till I played one of these before hand. The old 6 saddle and bridge sounded plunky next to this. This guitar ends up being used more than any other now on records and live gigs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members k4df4l Posted August 7, 2006 Author Members Share Posted August 7, 2006 Originally posted by AndyZ I thought the same thing till I played one of these before hand. The old 6 saddle and bridge sounded plunky next to this. This guitar ends up being used more than any other now on records and live gigs. I am glad you found the investment worthwhile:thu: I OTOH, would not have considering that the guitar already has enough sustain and "tone" to my satisfaction (which was one of the reasons I choose it in the first place) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members AndyZ Posted August 7, 2006 Members Share Posted August 7, 2006 Your lucky! If it ain't broke, don't fix it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members butterknucket Posted August 8, 2006 Members Share Posted August 8, 2006 Has anyone tried the Seymour Duncan Antiquity Tele saddles? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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