Warmoth Build - BRIDGE Question

I posted something pertaining to this in the regular forum but wanted to see if I could get a bit more insight.

I assembled a partscaster a couple days ago and love it. However, I think the bridge string spacing might be just a touch too wide, as both e strings are riding awful close to the edge of the fretboard (nothing super serious, but I'd LIKE to have just a touch more wiggle room).

Now, Warmoth likes to drill their showcase bodies to fit their "Vintage Fender" bridges, which are a whopping 2-1/4" (http://www.warmoth.com/Strat-Flat-Mount-Bridge-Vintage-Spacing-Chrome-P118C703.aspx) compared to the normal 2-3/16" Fender vintage or the modern 2-1/16".

My question is what would be the best way to tighten up that spacing a bit? I've looked at Hipshot and Callaham (sp?) hardtail bridges and they look to be close the the same hole spacing but not quite. Someone elsewhere suggested maybe just replacing the saddles with narrower ones, but I feel maybe that wouldn't necessarily bring them closer together. Thoughts? Thanks a ton!

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/318726_10151019629743028_185988172_n.jpg

I'd have thought you'd need a 3-saddle bridge and maybe a file.

That string spacing is set by your bridge. You can force the strings to different spacing by notching the saddles, but be careful to make the slot smooth so you don't leave burrs and cut the strings.

Or you can get a narrower bridge.

How wide is the nut?

The nut is 1-11/16". The spacing at the nut is actually fine, the strings taper out slightly towards the edge of the fret board as you get closer to the bridge. My only issue with getting a narrower bridge is that the holes won't line up on the ones I've seen. Some are closer than others, though.

The trouble is in mixing the wide modern nut width with the wide vintage saddle spacing.

A 2 1/8" spaced bridge would solve the fret board issue and the string through holes probably won't be terribly off.

Funny you should mention that. From Warmoth;

"If the strings are too close to the edge for your playing style, the simple solution is to either re-notch your bridge saddles, have a new nut cut with a narrower string spread or change to this bridge: http://www.warmoth.com/Stratreg-Flat-Mount-Bridge-Humbucker-Spacing-Chrome-P583C705.aspx . it has the same mounting pattern as the Vintage spaced bridge however the saddles are closer together for a string spread of 2 1/8”."

What I'll probably do is order this and try it out. All it would need is a minor widening of the string holes. I played the guitar for a while last night, and really it's not a huge issue, but if this alternate bridge isn't too hard to play on (I primarily fingerpick) then I'll probably make the switch since it sounds like it'll match my pickups better. Those P-Rails sound great!

There ya go! It'll look and play great with that little bit of tweaking.

Forgot to say before, that's a sweet looking guitar!