Members Elias Graves Posted January 18, 2012 Members Share Posted January 18, 2012 Getting close to decision time on mounting a bridge for my new tele. The Wilkinson bridge allows top load as well as string through. My tele knowledge is limited. Is one inherently better than the other? Any real advantage?The guitar is all walnut and will have Fender original vintage tele pups, if that matters. EG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members axegrinder Posted January 18, 2012 Members Share Posted January 18, 2012 Some will tell you it makes no difference. I truly believe string thru is the way to go. That extra down force on the saddles can't be a bad thing. Top load is the lazy approach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tedmich Posted January 18, 2012 Members Share Posted January 18, 2012 string through IMO, as the Tele is usually quite light and needs all the help with sustain it can get. you can always top load even if its drilled through... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Help!I'maRock! Posted January 18, 2012 Members Share Posted January 18, 2012 doesn't matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bsman Posted January 18, 2012 Members Share Posted January 18, 2012 Those little holes in the body are what lets all the mojo ooze out and coat the strings... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members WGH Posted January 18, 2012 Members Share Posted January 18, 2012 I have an ASAT that's a top-loader and it sounds good. I used to have a 72 Thinline RI where the ferrules would fall out. I was scared I might break a string during a gig and lose a ferrule so I'd stick a strip of duct tape on top of them. I vote top-loader. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cratz2 Posted January 18, 2012 Members Share Posted January 18, 2012 Huh... I always thought that the six extra holes drilled through the body is where all teh toanz leaked out through the super Thin Skin nitro finish? If I were building a tele from scratch, I'd drill the holes and install the ferrules. I doubt the tone will change much though I would expect like 1% more sustain going through the body and I'd expect the strings will be about 5% easier to bend if you don't go through the body. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Elias Graves Posted January 18, 2012 Author Members Share Posted January 18, 2012 I've read the string tension seems lower on a top loader. True? I'm all for that. Being walnut, I have plenty of mass and my archtops sustain plenty for me. I'm not a big sustain guy. Besides, that's what feedback is for, right? EG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members axegrinder Posted January 18, 2012 Members Share Posted January 18, 2012 What I noticed when I did string thru on my '51 is that the body vibrated more...versus hearing saddles rattling. Putting that aside, the concept of added energy transfer seems pretty intuitive. Regarding (perceived) string tension, I'd say if anything that the extra string material between the saddle and ferrule would provide more "stretchable" potential (i.e softer feel). As for all of it, YMMV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sgt mukuzi Posted January 18, 2012 Members Share Posted January 18, 2012 my strat has a telie bridge, top loader, zing zing zing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Alecto Posted January 18, 2012 Members Share Posted January 18, 2012 What I noticed when I did string thru on my '51 is that the body vibrated more...versus hearing saddles rattling. Putting that aside, the concept of added energy transfer seems pretty intuitive. Regarding (perceived) string tension, I'd say if anything that the extra string material between the saddle and ferrule would provide more "stretchable" potential (i.e softer feel). As for all of it, YMMV. That's pretty much my feeling as well. But the top-load does give a softer feel, so if a slinkier feel wins over sustain, then go top-loader. Jim Campilongo doesn't seem to have any problems with top-loader Teles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members honeyiscool Posted January 18, 2012 Members Share Posted January 18, 2012 I prefer top-loading because it's easier to reuse strings that have been toploaded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members valued customer Posted January 18, 2012 Members Share Posted January 18, 2012 string through...requires tools, measuring and all that cool stuff...so more time in the shop w a cuppa cawfee and the game on the box... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Elias Graves Posted January 18, 2012 Author Members Share Posted January 18, 2012 string through...requires tools, measuring and all that cool stuff...so more time in the shop w a cuppa cawfee and the game on the box... I like the way you think. You should post more often. EG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BigTimeFun Posted January 18, 2012 Members Share Posted January 18, 2012 I doubt it really matters, but I like string-through just 'cuz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ColoradoFenderB Posted January 18, 2012 Members Share Posted January 18, 2012 I prefer top-loading because it's easier to reuse strings that have been toploaded. Reuse strings? That's like reusing a condom - yuck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members honeyiscool Posted January 18, 2012 Members Share Posted January 18, 2012 Flip it inside out and it's good for a second use! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Flatspotter Posted January 18, 2012 Members Share Posted January 18, 2012 Flip it inside out and it's good for a second use! You're talking about guitar strings, right? The last word on the bridge subject is that string through produces superior tone, but top load sounds much better. Yep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Guitar Heel Posted January 18, 2012 Members Share Posted January 18, 2012 I doubt it really matters, but I like string-through just 'cuz. Yep, me too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jelloman Posted January 18, 2012 Members Share Posted January 18, 2012 hang on...I gotta go get a post from another thread... BRB... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jelloman Posted January 18, 2012 Members Share Posted January 18, 2012 This is Jim Campilongo... ...and his top-loader tele... THIS is Jim Campilongo PLAYING his top-loader tele... [video=youtube;4lM6NMYYoFo] any questions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JR13 Posted January 18, 2012 Members Share Posted January 18, 2012 string through Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members photon9 Posted January 18, 2012 Members Share Posted January 18, 2012 String through. For sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Angry Tele Posted January 19, 2012 Members Share Posted January 19, 2012 i dont think it matters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Angry Tele Posted January 19, 2012 Members Share Posted January 19, 2012 why not do halfsies? first 3 tops/last 3 bottoms Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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