Whats the Best Tele style bridge? any why?

[bruce919]

I am looking for a New bridge for my Gigliotti Esquire. Looking for some ideas on a replacement bridge. The current bridge is warped and has too many sharp edges. There are so many makers & variations in the market place. Let me know what you have seen out there?

[Bobby Marshall]

I use the barden compensated saddles on the original bridge plate on my MIJ Fender JD Tele.

Replacing just saddles is much less expensive and I have no complaints. And I like complaining.

[bubs_42]

Sustainblock?

More serious answer:

http://www.glendaleguitars.com

[JohnnyB]

Babicz Full Contact Hardware Tele bridge.

JWhitcomb has one and likes it; I have the Fender Bass drop-in replacement and love it: No fiddling with two set screws for each saddle, and once you get it to where you like it, you lock down the settings like TonePros.

They give great tone transfer and the cam-adjusted saddles make dialing in your optimum action a snap.

[cynic]

I think once you get into the higher end aftermarket accessories you're getting great quality regardless of brand. Callaham, Glendale, and Barden all produce great bridges with enough variety in saddle options that you can get precisely what you're looking for.

Babicz makes a pretty drastic departure from the traditional styling to create something JohnnyB provides lots of links and pictures to without much prompting.

Personally, I usually go with Marc Rutter. His quality is as high as any of the others, his pricing is comparable, and he's the most local so I can get his parts pretty quick. His hot rodded parts are designed to either address the complaints people have long had with the original tele hardware, or to provide something cool and unique that's more tele-inspired than authentic tele.

Everyone should go to his site if for no other reason than to order one of these:

[rj2858]

Here's the answer for your saddles

http://www.detempleguitars.com/temp/CATALOG_ITEMS/saddles.php

[JohnnyB]

I think once you get into the higher end aftermarket accessories you're getting great quality regardless of brand. Callaham, Glendale, and Barden all produce great bridges with enough variety in saddle options that you can get precisely what you're looking for.

Babicz makes a pretty drastic departure from the traditional styling to create something JohnnyB provides lots of links and pictures to without much prompting.

Personally, I usually go with Marc Rutter. His quality is as high as any of the others, his pricing is comparable, and he's the most local so I can get his parts pretty quick. His hot rodded parts are designed to either address the complaints people have long had with the original tele hardware, or to provide something cool and unique that's more tele-inspired than authentic Tele....

That's definitely true so in that case there is no "best," but several "excellents" and probably a "best for you." It's a good idea to define your goals before shopping. Some want to recapture the 1951 vibe completely, some would like that plus better intonation, and others might want a '60s vibe, fatter tone and/or easier adjustability.

I should have mentioned that in addition to the great adjustability (and unconventional look), the Babicz, with its heavier plate, screw-down saddles, and full contact, will probably change the tonal balance of the guitar. Since I put it on a Squier Jaco-style fretless P-bass, this was a welcome change, as the stock bridge is thinner than a typical Fender bridge and I think it doesn't hurt to add some phatness to the J-bass sound anyway.

But I can see where somebody else wouldn't want that at all. Still, for adjusting action and intonation, Babicz provides the best system I've come across.

[Disturber]

I really like the Wilkinson bridge that is on the Hamer T-51's. Very functional, sounds great, and the saddles are locked down with an allen screw which gives great coupling and sustain.

However, I don't think they make that specific model any more....

[jwhitcomb3]

As JohnnyB noted, I'm a fan of the Babicz bridge (on my Strat as well as my Tele). I bought it just because I palm the bridge and don't like the feel of a traditional Tele bridge. The Babicz looked more comfortable, and it is. It is also extremely well machined, allowing very fine adjustments to be made precisely and then locked down. Unless you change string gauges, you're locked in and string changes are a breeze.

I'm not a traditionalist, I like gear that is well made, functions as designed, feels good to play and sounds good.

I brought my Tele to a jam session a few weeks back and several very good players took a turn. There was no mistaking it was a tele.

A buddy of mine built a custom part strat, and selected a Babicz after trying mine. He loves it. His tech (a traditionalist) hates it.

Whatever. Those of you who know me understand that while I am interested in your opinions, and will provide mine, I don't much care if you agree with me.

But Babicz kicks ass.

[Bloozguy]

I'm in the Babicz camp with JohnnyB and jwhitcomb3. I've got one on my custom-built mahogany tele. Better sustain, easy to adjust, and a nice smooth place for your hand to rest. Not too traditional in the looks department, but neither are the Gigliotti guitars.

[Punkavenger]

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/hipshot-6-string-us-fixed-guitar-bridge-.125?pfm=sp

I loved the hipshot bridge for my SG bass so much that I'm planning on using one for my Tele project. Great machining, heavy stainless steel, more sustain ... whats not to like?

[atquinn]

I've had a Babicz TOM on my Blue Studio Custom for several months now and it's not coming off (the tailpiece is worthless on multiple level though). I replaced the Wilkinson bridge on the T51 I had with the Barden Tele bridge and I liked it alot. I like vintage-looking Tele bridges, which the Barden is, but at the same time, it has a few improvements.

-

Austin

[burningyen]

Just avoid slanted saddles, which tend to mess with string spacing.

[kanegon]

I've had a Babicz TOM on my Blue Studio Custom for several months now and it's not coming off (the tailpiece is worthless on multiple level though). I replaced the Wilkinson bridge on the T51 I had with the Barden Tele bridge and I liked it alot. I like vintage-looking Tele bridges, which the Barden is, but at the same time, it has a few improvements.

-

Austin

I did that too, but the T51 bridge is about 1/4 inch closer to the neck than a Tele, and it was impossible to intonate the low E and G. As much as I prefer the vintage 3 saddle design, I had to settle for a "modern" design that offered more latitude. I like the sound of the Wilky, but the deck/plate is twice as thick as Fender or Gotoh and gets in the way. No, I'm not changing the way I pick just to deal with an odd bridge. It of course has extra long travel. I settled on the solid brass Gotoh 6 saddle, if it's good enough for Keith, it's good enough for me, but you see the low E and G are maxed out (could shorten the spring 'spose).

[kanegon]

Just avoid slanted saddles, which tend to mess with string spacing.

Only on some, like the Bardens due to the position of the height screws, but that's not with Fender, Callahams and Wilks. Just make sure the strings are absolutely straight from the hole to the nut and they'll stay put. If not, a tiny notch will do the trick.

[kizanski]

The oldest, cheapest one you can find with only three saddles.

Because that's what they came with and that's what they're supposed to have.

[jwhitcomb3]

The oldest, cheapest one you can find with only three saddles.

Because that's what they came with and that's what they're supposed to have.

And make sure you use the original strings.

[kizanski]

The oldest, cheapest one you can find with only three saddles.

Because that's what they came with and that's what they're supposed to have.

And make sure you use the original strings.

Nope. New strings. Also the way they came.

[Disturber]

A traditional old school tele bridge will probably sound a tittle thinner than a more modern one. At least that is my experience with the old teles I have compared to my T-51.

If you are a traditional country picker, (not modern country), then go for the traditional bridge. If you more into rock and more modern country etc. either bridge will do fine.

Here is an old Fender tele and my T-51. I like the T-51 better, both for playability and tone. And, it has one more fret. It's like it's going to 11. The T-51 has the same spank and twang, but more bottom and sustain to the tone. It's way louder. I think it's because of the more modern Wilkinson bridge with the saddles locked down. Just one of the greatest teles I've played period.