Need to brighten the BRIDGE in '72 Custom RI...

I have a '72 Custom RI that I keep in 5-string Open G. It's very heavy and has always had a dark tone, but unlike most '72s, my issue is with the bridge. I have a Gotoh six-saddle bridge plate and custom pick-ups in it. I like the pups and don't think they are the problem. The neck humbucker has 500 meg pots and is plenty bright enough. The bridge uses 250 and can seem dark compared to my other Teles. The bridge pup is 10k with 43g wire and I love the way it sounds in general. I use Nickel-plated steel strings, but may switch to the EB cobalt. I really think the issue is with the bridge plate or pots. The combination of a naturally heavy dark guitar with the Gotoh modern bridge may just be too much. FWIW, another one of my Teles uses a similar bridgeplate and pick-up design and it's perfect for me, but it's also a full pound lighter.

Is there a brighter six-saddle bridge that's worth a flip?

Should I consider a 300 or 500 meg tone pot?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks

Start with a 500k volume pot. It's an easy and cheap mod that's guaranteed to get the job done.

Start with a 500k volume pot. It's an easy and cheap mod that's guaranteed to get the job done.

Thanks! Just volume or should I do tone as well?

Just the volume. The tone pot works with a cap to set a cutoff frequency. A 250k/.047uf combination sets a frequency just about the same as a 500k/.022uf combination.

I think you should replace the heavy Gotoh bridge assembly with a light and twangy plate such as a stock AV52 or Baja plate with compensated brass saddles. Still not bright enough? Compensated steel saddles.

STILL not enough? 500K pot on the bridge pup circuit, in place of the 250. First the tone pot, then the volume pot.

If that's not enough, I give up.

Thanks, Boris. I really don't know much about Tele tech stuff. Considering that I keep this Tele in a 5-string set-up, will there be any issues with compensated saddles? I really like the modern style bridge... just wish it was thinner, lighter, and brighter.

Maybe I'll put my old hammer style bridge on! Kidding!

Maybe I'll put my old hammer style bridge on! Kidding!

Oh, no! :lol:


If you need an inexpensive compensated bridge, you can try a Stew Mac # 0099 (just the plate) with some of their # 5167 saddles.

If you have an Allparts dealer you use, the TB 5125 works fine also.

+

You know, actually, for "sonic" purposes, the 6 "hammer" bridge would be a useful diagnostic tool if it was all you had handy.

Would it be possible to replace "hammers" with better saddles?

Would it be possible to replace "hammers" with better saddles?

Not in my view; the bridge isn't well enough made, doesn't work in this application. The ASAT Classic bridge is decent (not a favorite) but IMO won't work on a Fender guitar with its narrower string array.


No, the quality of the saddles themselves are not the core of the problem. They actually sounded/played fine in this wacky Squier adaptation (where they are slammed and cannot tip over):

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t25/Bubbanov/27NOV092008006.jpg

This worked/sounded a bit better with the springs left off, actually.

I'd like to be able to keep six saddles and have a thinner/brighter bridge, but I may have to go the three saddle route, huh?