Microphonic Bridge - MIJ 69 Re-issue (1985)

Hi, y'all! First post! w00t!

OK, so at higher volumes, or higher gain, the bridge pickup (a Bill Lawrence 290TL) on my 1985 Japanese '69 RI Tele howls with an uncontrollable microphony. The research I've done thus far tells me that while certain pickups can be microphonic, the bridgeplate and saddles can also cause it in a big way; especially the more vintage varieties.

I love the tone of this pickup, so I want to try swapping the bridgeplate and saddles before sacrificing this great sounding pup.

This guitar still has the original steel saddles and bridge. I am open to brass saddles if it'll fix my problem. Which type of bridgeplate material will reduce/eliminate microphonic feedback?

And who makes the best bridges for our beloved Tele's?
Thanks,
D2R

Before giving up on the original bridge try leveling the bottom with a file. Also, I like to wick some hot paraffin wax under the front of bridge once it's back together to keep it from vibrating. The downside to that is you have to heat the bridge to get it off again.

Yes, before you look at replacement bridges, try "flattening" the current plate by sanding against a flat block. The vintage Fender bridges are relatively thin steel and the imprecise stamping frequently results in a plate that isn't quite flat, and this can produce squeal.

Thicker bridge plates (Fender Highway One, Joe Barden, Callaham) will solve this, as will a precision made Glendale plate. The thicker ones seem to produce more midrange at the loss of a little "twang" though.

After you check to make sure it's dead flat, as suggested above, you can drill 2 small holes in the front edge, and screw it down to the Body....People call it the Gatton Mod...but believe me, folks were doin it long before he came along...:wink:

Thanks for the suggestions.

Some of the folks on TGP have been saying that Bill Lawrence pickups are prone to microphonics. Is this true?