tele56
Rookie Solder Flinger
Posts: 7
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Post by tele56 on Jun 12, 2007 11:43:38 GMT -5
I modded my MIM tele with an ashtray bridge. I've noticed that the brass saddles sit lower in the bridge even when string height is set. This difference is quite noticeable compared to my Hwy 1 Texas tele. I guess the question is: on MIM teles is there a dimension issue between the modern factory style bridge and ashtray bridge? Is this something to be concerned with or just an appearance issue? Would shimming the neck help offset this or just a waste of time? TIA!
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Post by UnklMickey on Jun 12, 2007 12:45:00 GMT -5
hi Tele56,
Welcome to GuitarNuts2.
ChrisK and/or Sumgai can give you more info about Tele specs, but I would think if you can get the string height and pickup height correct, you shouldn't worry about it. In fact, since the saddles are closer to the bridge plate, you would expect the mechanical coupling of the saddles to the bridge would be slightly better, since the length of the screws protruding through the bottom of the saddles will be shorter. I'd guess this might get you just the slightest bit better sustain, and a marginally "thicker" tone. Unless you are having problems, I would leave it as-is.
cheers,
Unk
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Post by sumgai on Jun 12, 2007 16:49:21 GMT -5
t-56, I too welcome you into to the fold, seeing as how you've been lurking for nearly 20 months! ;D unk's general theory is the best practice - if it ain't broke, don't fix it! (unk is obviously not an engineer. Chris, Channelman or I would all take it apart and re-build it. We'd probably soup it up with a V-8 and a four-speed, too.  ) If the issue is appearance, then the decision is yours, but in theory, the lower the saddle sits on the bridge, the more of the elevation screw sits within the saddle piece, and thus collects and transmits a bit more of the string's vibrations to the bridge plate, and thence to the body. It is generally regarded that the lower height won't signifcantly affect the break-over angle, the string's characteristics should remain the same (sustain, harmonics, etc.). There's another benefit here as well. The lower a string sits, the lower the pickups will rest within the pickguard and bridgeplate. That means that they are more protected by the internal shielding, and should be even less noisy than if they were raised up, as would be necessary if you were to shim the neck and raise the saddles. You did QtB, Tele-style, didn't you?  HTH sumgai |
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Post by UnklMickey on Jun 12, 2007 18:13:14 GMT -5
...(unk is obviously not an engineer. ... wanna bet? |
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tele56
Rookie Solder Flinger
Posts: 7
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Post by tele56 on Jun 13, 2007 14:20:29 GMT -5
Unk and sumgai thanks for the welcome! This is a great forum....hope to be a regular contributor. Thanks for the link to QTB. Unfortunately, I did not do that particular mod. I did add it to my tele "to do" list.
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Post by sumgai on Jun 15, 2007 14:32:00 GMT -5
...(unk is obviously not an engineer. ...
wanna bet? Nah, you're too conservative. Channelman would have added an XKE V-12 and a 5-speed gearbox! It's sort of like a Rite Of Passage for engineers. ;D sumgai |
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Post by UnklMickey on Jun 15, 2007 15:00:10 GMT -5
Too conservative? Politically, maybe.
As far as employers are concerned, I'm too radical.
As far as the scientists I've worked with, some of them might think I'm a little conservative, but you'd have to meet these guys to really appreciate how "out there" they are.
My Rites of Passage have all been passed ... in the past.
Maybe I'm just not a typical engineer. Of course, people don't usually accuse me of being typical.
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Post by sumgai on Jun 15, 2007 15:12:08 GMT -5
unk,
Amen to that! ;D
sumgai
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Post by ChrisK on Jun 15, 2007 16:33:28 GMT -5
Remember, an Inventor is an Engineer that doesn't take his work (too) seriously.  Which ashtray bridge did you use on your MIM? The Hwy 1 Texas Tele also has an ashtray bridge. I dunno.  I was wondering if the MIM tele had a different neck pocket depth than your Hwy 1. As long as you don't have setup issues (fret buzz, etc) I wouldn't worry about it. If you don't tell anyone, they probably won't notice. You can buy longer saddle screws if it's an issue. I have a MIM Deluxe Nashville Power Tele which of course doesn't have an ashtray bridge (piezo saddles) and I built a "Proper TeleCopy" which of course doesn't have a factory ashtray bridge on it (it has a Callaham enhanced ashtray bridge with slanted brass saddles), so of course I can't be of much help.  guitarnuts2.proboards45.com/index.cgi?board=music&action=display&thread=1163644536 |
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