3 or 6 saddles for B bender

[Trebstratzepflowtele]

Hi there, just got my first B Bender, a Hipshot.....just thrilled!
Problem......
I have 6 saddle Fender bridge (70's Tele) and the instruction reads
"drill thru back of bass plate in line with B string saddle slot"
The B sting saddle slot is too close to the B string intonation screw to drill, but if I drill the 7/16" hole a little to the left and up of that, then the B string will be kind of kinked or crooked when strung through to the B bender.
Do I need to buy a new 3 barrel saddle for the install?

Thanks for your time.

[HOBBSTER01]

I just cut a small notch in the top of the bridge above the screw.
Worked just fine.
Had it a few months and sold it.
Played it daily.

[tele2313]

With the hipshot I had I used the 6 saddle first but it had much better function when I switched to the 3 saddle. I could drill the hole for the b string exactly where I needed to and not fight with the saddle adjusting screw like on the 6 saddle.

[Chet Johnson]

Plus many three saddles like the wilkinsons and some WD three saddle bridges come drilled already to load string through or top load. Swap bridge and no drilling needed on the bridge

[jmiles]

Chet is right! One added benefit is that you get the correct amount of downforce on the saddle. Tone-wise, this is important! Just slip a short piece of Teflon tubing into the hole. You can get a piece of the tubing at any bike shop, as it's just brake cable liner. You only need a piece that is 1/4 to 1/2 inch long.

[Helle-Man]

3-Way is the way to go.

WR

[RollingBender]

Not specific to benders but as long as the subject is being discussed... what does a 3 saddle system have over a 6? I can understand nostalgia. I can understand authenticity to original design. But, it seems that the intonation issue alone would give the 6 saddle bridge the nod.

Seems like an odd question from a 20-year+ Tele veteran (20 years with a Tele, 44 on the Earth) but I've never had a 3 saddle version before.

[jmiles]

You can get intonated saddles. They work very well. I've always thought 3 saddle sounded better. At least on the half dozen or so Teles that I've had.
http://www.callahamguitars.com/brdge_T.htm

[BrianF]

Originally Posted by Cobbler

Not specific to benders but as long as the subject is being discussed... what does a 3 saddle system have over a 6? I can understand nostalgia. I can understand authenticity to original design. But, it seems that the intonation issue alone would give the 6 saddle bridge the nod.

Seems like an odd question from a 20-year+ Tele veteran (20 years with a Tele, 44 on the Earth) but I've never had a 3 saddle version before.

The three saddle design has more mass more stable more sustain

[BrianF]

And better TONE

[jmiles]

"The three saddle design has more mass more stable more sustain"

Also, each saddle has two strings pushing down on two height adjustment screws. as opposed to one string pushing down on two screws. Little things add up to better tone and sustain.

[coolbreeze475]

The three is better for the Hipshot. I had a real whimpy sound whith the six saddle. The strings were floppy and I had to cut grooves into the saddle to make the string stop sliding around + do truss rod adjustments and it was still not to my satisfaction.

[bargoedboy]

3 Saddle for me as well