Telecaster bridge differences?

[Think And Know]

I have been looking on harmony central for well over a year now and I believe that this topic has not been discussed. If it has it has not been lately or if it has excuse my ignorance because I have tried researching on this topic but have found very little information which is why I have turned to the infinite guitar wisdom of harmony central. Now I would just like to know the tonal differences between the different telecaster bridges (if there is any at all).

 

 

I know of, I believe, 4 different bridges for the telecaster.

 

1. The modern bridge

 

 

2. 6 Saddle bridge

 

 

3. 3 saddle bridge

 

 

4. 3 saddle (brass) (compensated?)

 

 

 

 

Now I would just like to know if there is any real differences between the 4 or even if there are more. Do some have inotation problems or break strings more often and if they actually sound a lot different? Any information at all would be extremely helpful. I have an indonesian squier tele that has the modern bridge and I just wanted to see if a replacements would be worth it. Thank you in advance for your advice.

[Virgman]

You forgot the 6-saddle top loader bridge.

 

How could you forget that?

 

Huh?

 

[Think And Know]

Originally posted by Virgman You forgot the 6-saddle top loader bridge. How could you forget that? Huh?

 

Bridge ignorance.

[hondro]

I prefer the look of a 3 saddle bridge with the little lips on the sides FWIW:)

[chiro972]

I think tele die hards (purists?) will tell you that the 3 saddle brass bridge(which you didn't show) will give you that true tele twang. I believe most of us would be hard pressed to tell the difference in a blind test. I like the 6 saddle for ease of intonation setting.

[500Hz]

yeah, there are lots of differences and lots of variables, for a better understanding, you might try searching the archives at the TDPRI site

 

in brief, the 3-saddle vintage bridge will not intonate properly with a standard-gauge string set--the compensated saddles address this issue (i'm not sure if that photo you posted is truly compensated--it appears that the angles aren't correct, but anyway)

 

the 3-saddle bridge can have various metal barrels, which will increase or decrease the 'twang'...but in general, the traditional tele twang is from the 3-saddle bridge...there are varying positions on the 6-saddle vintage type, and i haven't played one enough to have an informed opinion

 

good luck:)

[LIMEgreenBLUES]

the basic difference in preference comes from this: there are vintage purists who will cliam that the traditional 3 saddle is the way to go, but many techs finds these harder to get set right- hence the development of the 6 individual saddles, which are more or less standard these days. May I recommend the graphtech saddles either way (they may 3 saddle and 6) they help fight string breakage.

 

and oh yeah there are a select few (me included) who claim that the top-loader bridge is supreme... I know there was at least one or two years (experts plz) maybe late 50s prolly early 60s that used toploaders or at least they were an option.