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Newbie question

lowbrow
March 27th, 2006, 11:25 AM
I've been reading the 6 saddle bridge thread, and am not sure my answer lies there.

I have a 2000 Squier Standard Telecaster that I have replaced the 22 fret rosewood neck on. I installed a 21 fret neck from a Squire `51 (no overhang for the 22nd fret, otherwise similar).

I have new pickups and electronics in route from GFS and plan on doing a refinish on the body. This is my first Tele (I am still waiting for my `06 MIM standard to come in at the store I bought from).

The bridge is the stock item from Squier and is a six saddle model that looks like this one I found in the gallery:

http://home.comcast.net/~eporter27/SqStdBridge1.jpg

The body is a string through.

My question is: so far this bridge seems to function adequately and I am able to adjust intonation and action to my satisfaction. However, since I'm going to do a refin on the body, and have little Tele experience, should I consider installing a different/better bridge that may or may not require altering the bridge screw mounting holes on the body?

I have yet to measure the string spacing on this body, but can say for sure I do not want to have to re-do the string through holes and furrels.

So, from the collective experience here, should I stay with what I have, consider a new bridge and saddles, or just new saddles? I have thought that I may keep the stock bridge plate and try some of the Graph tech string savers saddles...I have some on a strat that I like very much.

Any insight or help would be greatly appreciated. I really enjoy lurking here and checking out the photo gallery. Thanks!
Chris

lowbrow
March 27th, 2006, 11:41 AM
I haven't shot any photos of the bridgr myself yet, but I was able to crop these out of some pics the original owner took. Not very clear, but I believe they show enough details to identify that the mounting screws are three in number and above the string through holes....

http://static.flickr.com/27/118834579_c7033d8331_o.jpg
http://static.flickr.com/55/118834576_44ae6c1bb2_o.jpg

Jack Wells
March 27th, 2006, 04:01 PM
I'm no expert on Squier Teles but I don't think a vintage style 3-saddle bridge would be an easy replacement on your guitar. It looks like your string through holes are just in front of the back lip of the bridge plate. String through holes on a vintage style bridge plate are also just in front of the back lip but the bridge plate is shorter. It wouldn't be a direct swap like on a MIM Standard Telecaster. It can be done but the procedure is somewhat involved. Someone else might be able to tell you how it's done.