Fender original hardware

Hi,
I've been trying to find out what kind of hardware fender uses, esp. the modern tele bridge. Do they make them themselves or buy them from another company?

Is this bridge - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=38083&item=3770954594&rd=1 - the same as the one on a fender american telecaster - http://www.fender.com/products/show.php?partno=0118400 ?

I'm gathering the parts for my new tele - I've allready bought the body from TDL guitars, the same as this one (the one on top of the page) - http://www.tdlguitars.com/sparkle_finishes.html - and I guess it's apparent why I want to get this one right ;-)

Thanks!

No, it's not the same as the American Standard/American Series bridges.

The eBay bridge will fit any guitar that uses the standad vintage-style bridge found on the '52RI (and others), but not the American Std/Se bridges.

Gotoh and a number of other aftermarket suppliers make the eBay bridge, which resembles the Am. Std/Se bridges at first glance, but the mounting and string-through holes are drilled differently. The two are not interchangeable.

It will fit the guitar in your last URL (a vintage-style), but if you're unsure, shoot Tony an email and ask what style bridge he drilled it for.

The eBay seller's ad is a little misleading. It's *not* a Fender bridge, and won't fit what most people consider "American" Teles, namely the American Series guitars. While the '52RI *is* an American-made guitar, it uses completely different hardware than the "American Series" guitars, which is a product name first, and a point of origin second...


-Michael
Charter Member S. Texas He-Man Emoticon Haters Local #316

Thanks! That saved me from looking for an original modern fender bridge :-)

All of his parts are EXACTLY as labeled.
This is a bridge from a real Made In Mexico tele.
It is a Fender bridge, from the Fender factory in Mexico.
N.Aalox parts out Fender guitars and sells new parts, don't know where he gets them from and don't really care. He's been selling genuine Fender parts on E-bay for at least 3 years that Iremember. I've never had a problem with anything I've bought from him, and I'd buy from him again. That's about as strong a reference as you'll get around here for an E-Bay seller.

As to whether it will fit your Am Std., you are beyone me. If a MIM bridge will fit a MIA, then this one will work for you.

Yeah, at second glance, that may be a MIM Std. bridge, and should fit a guitar drilled for vintage bridges.

I was thinking that the MIM Standards had an offset intonation adjustment screw, but a peek in the Frontline mag proved me wrong.

Nevermind...

(Still won't fit an American Standard or American Series guitar, though.)


-Michael
Charter Member S. Texas He-Man Emoticon Haters Local #316