MIM transition to AM Std

I've bought a really cheap used MIM tele and want to convert the electronics and hardware to an American Standard - much like my Jimmy Vaughan strat.

I bought vintage Fender tuners, an AM 6 saddle bridge and used Seymour Duncan Alnico II pro pup set.

I'm about to begin to remove the old parts. Anything I should be concerned about?

I've bought a really cheap used MIM tele and want to convert the electronics and hardware to an American Standard - much like my Jimmy Vaughan strat.

I bought vintage Fender tuners, an AM 6 saddle bridge and used Seymour Duncan Alnico II pro pup set.

I'm about to begin to remove the old parts. Anything I should be concerned about?

What specific model and year is your Tele?

Assuming it's an MIM Standard...

Is it a toploader (pre-98) or a string through?

If the replacement bridge is one from an American Standard or American Series Tele, it won't fit Teles other than those without drilling and filling. I don't hear of many folks trying to put one of those on other Teles, why would you want to do that?

If you have a string-through with the original pots and switch, they are probably the same parts (and quality) as used in many MIA Teles.

I like those Duncan pups!

Not all tuners are a simple swap. I'm not sure what your stock ones are like, if the size of the shaft is like that of many other modern tuners and your replacements are the Kluson style you would need adapter bushings.

p.s. (added): Welcome to the TDPRI!

Thanks for the response.

The existing bridge is string through - the adjusting screws are seized and the metal pitted - I couldn't adjust the height. It looks like someone took a screwdriver in vengance to the saddles. The reason for an AM Std bridge was one of perceived quality on my part.

I'm looking at the two bridges and you're right - the screws don't line up. Can the holes be dowled?

The tuners are original to the guitar and like the bridge, have been abused. I'll check the diameter as you suggest.

Again, thanks for the advice.

I'm thinkin you might should have asked first...then bought your parts ?

Speaking of perceptions...You'll find that there is a preferred bridge type around here and it isn't six saddle American Standard (as suggested in one of the responses here). However, I'm a fan of the American Standard bridge myself as I'm fond of proper intonation and comfort for my picking hand. I also like the sound. Still Telecaster, but fatter IMO. At any rate, go your own way, I always say.

Good luck with the mod. I'd have a professional do it if I were you as a misaligned bridge will never, ever sound good no matter what type it is!

"American Standard" is a brand of toilet.

Re: the bridge- I'm in the process of fitting a three-saddle vintage bridge to an American-made Tele body that originally had a six-saddle bridge installed. The mounting holes are positioned differently, as well as the string holes. I've dowelled the mounting holes and the top half of the string holes. The new four-screw mounting holes are drilled and the bridgeplate is temporarily mounted. It was aligned using a length of white thread from the low E post down to the corresponding string hole, across the underside of the bridgeplate, through the high E string hole, then up to the high E post. The pickup polepieces and edges of the fretboard act as reference points. The distance was measured from the nut to the saddle mounted in the bridge for the D & G strings at 25.5 inches.
The string holes will be redrilled to align with the string holes in the bridgeplate, a simple process.

pg2, try to return that Am Se bridge if you can. You'll be a rare guy indeed going to, rather than away, from the modern looking bridge.

Bubbanov

pg2,

I guess I should have phrased it, "why do you want to do that", not "why would you want to do that?" Because I do agree with Oster that you should go your own way.

With your stock bridge having seized screws and pitted metal, I can understand the need to replace it.

But there are some other options besides an Am Std bridge for good quality, even staying with a six saddle setup if that's your preference; that don't require the filling and drilling you'd have to do to convert to the Am Std.

You could get another MIM Std, a slightly used one.

You could get a Gotoh modern Tele bridge, which is similar in style but brass instead of magnetic steel like yours.

Or you could get a vintage style 3-saddle bridge, compensated if you're concerned about better intonation than the original straight non-compensated design.

If you drill and fill to convert to the Am Std pattern, your choices if you decide to want to experiment with other style bridges later will be fewer and more expensive, unless you convert back to the hole pattern you have now.

Whichever way you go, good luck and I hope you find good information and good discussion experiences here at the TDPRI.