Bridge selection headache - 72 Thinline

I tend to overanalyse stuff and drive myself mad.

I can't decide on the best bridge for a 72 Thinline build. I think I've narrowed the field but would like some advice. I've bought some Lollar Regals for the build. I think the pole spacing is pretty wide 54mm (2 1/8"). The neck I'm building will have a 1 11/16" nut. So these are the one's I'm thinking about in my current order of preference.

1. Callaham Hardtail Strat Bridge - 2 7/32" string spacing. Looks really well made. Probably a good width for the pickups. Slightly concerned that the wide spacing will be hard to keep strings away from the edges of the fretboard ie. re: alignment and width of neck? Not sure if this is even an issue. Uses three mounting screws. Wondering if the design will sound very Tele like given it's not a tele like bridge (less twang?) - but understand this would be more true to the original 72 Thinline. I'm not too worried about historical accuracy though because I think I'm going to use a Tele control plate rather than a large Thinline pickguard.

2. Wilkinson half plate three barrel. Cheap - seems reasonably well made. Strings come through the body behind the barrels ie. vintage style. Better break angle on E and A strings. Four mounting holes ie. like a trad tele rather than a strat hardtail bridge. Not sure if the string spacing is wide enough for the pickups but probably not an issue. Would be easier to align the strings to the edge of the neck if it's narrower.

3. Glendale half plate three barrel tele style strat bridge. String spacing seems to be wide enough for the pickups. Uses three mounting holes and the string holes seem to be in front of the mounting holes ie. very non-vintage. Worried about the severe break angle this creates on the E and A strings and wouldn't leave much scope for error on bridge positioning when drilling the bridge holes (nerve wracking). Maybe my inexperience here... Most likely better quality than the Wilkinson but the design worries me.

So that's my thoughts - can anyone help confirm or deny them... Obviously if I go with the four mounting wilkinson hole option it would be hard to go to a three hole solution later on..

Sounds like the pole piece spacing will be right on the cusp. I'd be careful.

The Callaham is a gorgeous piece, and I've got it on a hardtail SSS Strat and also on a HH Tele bodied guitar. I don't think, if your neck is aligned right and the fret ends are not overwrought, you'll have any issues.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t25/Bubbanov/22MAR142009001.jpg

Marc Rutters makes a half Tele bridge I'd look at over the inexpensive Wilky/Sung Il for a fancy project.

I see where Dale finally has the S 3 barrel hardtail bridges back in stock. Never bought one because of the sharp break angle, and because they are so expensive compared to his other items.

You could also buy a basic $ 12 AV52 style bridge from Fender, cut it in half and put some Rutters or Callaham saddles (or modded Stew Mac saddles) on there.
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t25/Bubbanov/17FEB272010001.jpg

The 4 mount hole arrangement with the through holes below the mount holes is always my default choice, and with those Lollars, the cautious money is on that.

Thanks very much for the reply Boris - I know you know a lot on this subject so I was hoping you would respond.

I had forgotten about the Rutters. I assume you mean this one.

http://app4.websitetonight.com/projects2/0/3/8/9/1609830/_mygallery/RuttersHalfBridge1.jpg

The Rutters has a spacing of 2 1/8" and I notice the string holes are behind the screws which looks great.

Just one question.

When you say the pole pieces are on the cusp and to be careful - do you mean I need a very wide bridge like the Callaham or I need to come in a bit like the Rutters. I think I've heard it said that it matters less if your strings are within the pole pieces - but you don't want them wider than the pole pieces. Although maybe you think the neck pickup will be a bit dicey with a narrower bridge like the Rutters? - given the strings taper in. From the photo your strings look fairly close to the edge of the neck - that was interesting to see.

I'd be happy with either in terms of build quality of course.

No harm having the pole pieces a little wide.

Too narrow is what scares me.

54 mm is pretty wide but when you pair it with a 1 + 11/16ths nut, is it wide enough? It can be. There won't be any spare width in the pole pieces, is what I'm saying. Which also means alignment goes to super critical.

My Bill and Becky 609s work out fine, as seen above, but I'd have IMO been in trouble IF the pickup wasn't perfectly centered - I got a little lucky, one isn't always so lucky.

The Rutters should be a safer option then?

I ended up ordering the Rutters bridge with some stainless compensated groove saddles. If I find it sounds too bright I can always fork out for brass later on.

I've left it up to Marc whether it stays standard 2 1/8" or slightly wider at 2 5/32". He has experience and I'm a newbie - this is my first build.

Did I say what a nice person he was to deal with? Very helpful - I'd recommend him to anyone.