Homemade Tele bridge

Some of you might think that I'm outta my head for even considering it, especially since Tele bridges come in all kinds of flavors and price ranges from $ to $$$$$$$

I do believe I have seen a thread either here or some other
place (but can't find it anymore) that dealt with this topic and I've gotten kinda curious.
If there's someone here who has ever attempted to make one, I'd love to get some input on the process/materials/tools.

Thinking of it...didn't Fuzzy make one for a double bridge pickup project?!?

Anyways...any help and/or input is greatly appreciated...

Cheers,

Sascha

You're right, Ole Fuzzy made one out of a piece of sheet metal for a dual bridge pup project. He said he was very happy with the results, but the metal was tough to work with. I've tried contacting a couple of different custom builders/dealers to find out if anyone would make a custom bridge for me and I crashed and burned.

...Stainless steel welded inna corners.

http://pulsarco.com/~fuzzy/temp1a.jpg


0le FUZZY

To me, makings one own bridge is out of necessity because there isn't one available with the required features (like what Fuzzy did).What different features are you looking for? Sounds interesting.

Thanks y'all...this thread lay dormant a while and I didn't expect anyone the chime in after a while.

I've tried contacting a couple of different custom builders/dealers to find out if anyone would make a custom bridge for me and I crashed and burned.

I can imagine that, Klasher...way too much work for the money they could have charged from you. But I want to give it a shot myself as I do have all the equipment available through my dad and a neighbor and they could assist me in case I run into any difficulties.

...Stainless steel welded inna corners.

http://pulsarco.com/~fuzzy/temp1a.jpg


0le FUZZY

Looks really sweet, Fuzzy...I remember seeing this pic but I couldn't find the thread anymore. Is the right photo the finished product or is it prior to the welding? Did you round off the corners (like they are on the established design) or did you leave them square?

To me, makings one own bridge is out of necessity because there isn't one available with the required features (like what Fuzzy did).What different features are you looking for? Sounds interesting.

Hey reddog! Actually the bridge I want to make is supposed to be based on the design we all know and love, but I want it to be a little tougher and rougher looking, probably without any chrome plating at all. I could use an Allparts bridge and remove the chrome but making stuff yourself is just so much fun, why should it stop at bodies and necks? Sounds like another neat project for the wintertime...

Anyways...thanks for chiming in, everybody! Really appreciate it! If there are others here who have worked with metal before - feel free to participate!

Cheers,

Sascha

I've thought about this a long time. The things I've came up with are having a mill shop with a cnc machine make one out of a block instead of bent from sheet stock like leo did. If you bring them the drawing or cad data I should make the price "not soooo bad". The other thing I thought about was sand casting. If you could find someone local who does sand casting they could use a standard fender bridge to create the sand mold to cast you a new bridge plate. You would then have to clean up the bridge as sand casting does not leave a nice clean face.

You know, I bet Ed Hawley could mill a bridge plate not problem!!!

I've always wanted to machine a Tele bridge out of a piece of solid brass, then have it nickel plated. My grandfather could do it....he's got the equipment, and even the billet of brass. But he's in failing health....

He built muzzleloaders for years and years (50+ years) and was never happy with the supply of parts there were available for them, triggers and other metal parts and such. So he started making his own.

not brass & not cheap, but...

http://www.mannmadeusa.com/tele.htm

not brass & not cheap, but...

http://www.mannmadeusa.com/tele.htm

Good stuff...thanks for the link...

Did you see this? :shock:

http://www.mannmadeusa.com/2265C7.jpg