first time tele mods - help!

hello all. first time tele owner here. just ordered a 90's MIM James Burton sunburst tele from Ebay. I've got the modding bug already... I'll be converting this tele to an Esquire of sorts with 1 pickup, a bigsby, and the "naked esquire" wiring mod.

My question: I'll be attempting to install a 3-saddle slotted bridge and routing out the back of the ashtray plate to allow for clear string passage from the bigsby. Since I'm not familiar with the string spacing on the JB tele, what sort of string spacing specs should I be looking for in the notched saddles? Are the notches really even necessary? I'm not a very heavy bender, but I do play with 11's tuned half step down, which makes me worry a bit about the string tension... GFS has a nice cheap bridge/saddles combo with "vintage" spacing. Will this work?

Any recommendations for bridges/saddles that will fit my JB are welcome! Many thanks.

What's the "naked esquire" wiring mod?

i like notches. spacing should be fine. beware of ultra cheapo bridges though. they seem to be buzz machines.

What's the "naked esquire" wiring mod?

also called Luther Perkins mod. back position - pickup straight to output jack. middle position - just volume knob active. forward position - volume and tone knobs active

Why don´t you buy the Bigsby Tele Vibrato Kit B5 ? Then you´ll know that it will fit.
Besides,the guitar will look like the originals that had a Bigsby .

i don't want the kit because i don't like the rocking bridge that comes with it... my goal is to use the bigsby with a 3-saddle ash tray bridge. i guess i'm just wondering if the grooved saddles are a necessity or if i can get away with using plain brass saddles, even though i'm tuned half a step down. trying to minimize slipping

I wouldn't order any parts until you get your guitar to take proper measurements from.

i don't want the kit because i don't like the rocking bridge that comes with it... my goal is to use the bigsby with a 3-saddle ash tray bridge. i guess i'm just wondering if the grooved saddles are a necessity or if i can get away with using plain brass saddles, even though i'm tuned half a step down. trying to minimize slipping

You have chosen wisely, the B5 with a vintage ashtray bridge is far superior to the rocker bridge in terms of tone (granted, that's subjective...) and tuning stability. And frankly I think it looks twice as kickass. I have two Teles set up this way. String wander can be an issue with this setup, so I'd recommend that you go with a slotted or threaded saddle. Just remember that the string will be moving back and forth across the surface of the saddle, so "round" is your buddy and "pointy" will make you age prematurely. Also, invest in a tube of Big Bends Nut Sauce and use it on the nut and saddles whenever you change strings, the stuff is magical! I had brass saddles on my Teles before installing the Bigsbys, and initially stayed with brass after. I found that the Bigsby setup "mellowed" the tone a little more than I liked, so I swapped the saddles to steel and got the spank back.

Hope some of that info is valuable, enjoy your project and post pics!

thanks for the info! i've already ordered a custom leather esquire pickguard and a new pickup. i suppose i'll wait until i can measure the neck width before i order the bridge assembly. i know the JB has a chunky neck - i just want to make sure string spacing is correct. any suggestions on where to pick up a bridge and saddles?

Yes, you want grooved round saddles. The string spacing of the pins on the Bigsby are narrower than what is usual spacing at the bridge saddles. So you need grooves to keep the strings from sliding too close together.

S Mac

Just an update... I've got the guitar and it's gorgeous! Love the way it plays. I installed a GFS lil' puncher which is surprisingly articulate and punchy (as the name implies). It's currently wired up as an esquire with the Perkins mods and I couldn't be happier. It's strung using the original 6-saddle bridge. Sometime this week the Bigsby, Vibramate, routed out ash tray bridge, and saddles will arrive. I will report back once it's all set up. I'm worried that I'm already in love with the sustain of the string-thru body, and the Bigsby will kill too much of it. Luckily, with the Vibramate, it's easily reversible. I ordered an inexpensive set of grooved saddles that were advertised as "color: chrome". I can only assume they are steel saddles... if it's not what I'm looking for, I may bite the bullet and go for a Rutters set.

Pics will be posted once she's all assembled!

Looking forward to seeing pics and hearing what you think!

You could always get plain saddles and put your own grooves in?