installing a backloading bridge on a solid body squier tele

dudeitscraig · November 30th, 2009, 11:01 PM

i recently bought a squire affinity tele as well as some fender noiseless pickups. i really missed my backloading 1,200 tele, so ive been trying to change out all the parts, to match an american fender.

so the squire i have has a top loading bridge, with no holes in the back on the body to load strings. i bought some ferrules and a new bridge (tryin to go all USA) and all the shops are telling me itll be over 100 bucks to install.

is there anyway someone could let me know the size of drill to use, and some pointers on how to do a clean job. i think i can do a better job than the people in my local shops anyway.

id really appreciate the help, im a bit of a begginer in the tech field. thanks!

BritishBluesBoy · November 30th, 2009, 11:03 PM

Do not attempt this with a regular hand drill. You WILL make a mess of your guitar. Do you have access to a drill press?

HOBBSTER01 · November 30th, 2009, 11:06 PM

Spend $20.00 bucks and get the proper plate.
Saw several in the $10-$20 range on ebay.

dudeitscraig · November 30th, 2009, 11:08 PM

ill have to look into it. a friends dad might have one. i had a feeling a handdrill would tear it up. are there any other options. if i did get to a drill press, what size bit would i need?

dudeitscraig · November 30th, 2009, 11:10 PM

what plate? i bought a new bridge that has the proper plate i believe? my guitar doesnt have the holes to use it tho...

HOBBSTER01 · November 30th, 2009, 11:12 PM

Sorry should have read the entire post before opening my mouth.
Find a local cabinet shop and get them to drill it for ya.

dudeitscraig · November 30th, 2009, 11:16 PM

i appreciate the help : ) do you know what size drill to use?

ievans · December 1st, 2009, 03:21 AM

You'll need at least a 12" drill press. The holes are about 5.5" from the edge, so you'll need a press with a 6" throat (ie the distance from the support column to the center of the drill).

BritishBluesBoy · December 1st, 2009, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dudeitscraig

i appreciate the help : ) do you know what size drill to use?

Use a drill bit that matches the string through holes in your bridge.

jkingma · December 1st, 2009, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BritishBluesBoy

Use a drill bit that matches the string through holes in your bridge.

...which are probably 1/8".

November 30th, 2009, 11:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
dudeitscraig NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: long beach, ca Age: 25 Posts: 6	installing a backloading bridge on a solid body squier tele i recently bought a squire affinity tele as well as some fender noiseless pickups. i really missed my backloading 1,200 tele, so ive been trying to change out all the parts, to match an american fender. so the squire i have has a top loading bridge, with no holes in the back on the body to load strings. i bought some ferrules and a new bridge (tryin to go all USA) and all the shops are telling me itll be over 100 bucks to install. is there anyway someone could let me know the size of drill to use, and some pointers on how to do a clean job. i think i can do a better job than the people in my local shops anyway. id really appreciate the help, im a bit of a begginer in the tech field. thanks!

November 30th, 2009, 11:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
BritishBluesBoy Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 7,463 62 Photos	Do not attempt this with a regular hand drill. You WILL make a mess of your guitar. Do you have access to a drill press? __________________ BBB.

November 30th, 2009, 11:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
HOBBSTER01 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ringgold, Ga. Age: 47 Posts: 1,883 4 Photos	Spend $20.00 bucks and get the proper plate. Saw several in the $10-$20 range on ebay. __________________ The Hobbster

November 30th, 2009, 11:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
HOBBSTER01 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ringgold, Ga. Age: 47 Posts: 1,883 4 Photos	Sorry should have read the entire post before opening my mouth. Find a local cabinet shop and get them to drill it for ya. __________________ The Hobbster

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November 30th, 2009, 11:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
dudeitscraig NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: long beach, ca Age: 25 Posts: 6	ill have to look into it. a friends dad might have one. i had a feeling a handdrill would tear it up. are there any other options. if i did get to a drill press, what size bit would i need?

November 30th, 2009, 11:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
dudeitscraig NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: long beach, ca Age: 25 Posts: 6	what plate? i bought a new bridge that has the proper plate i believe? my guitar doesnt have the holes to use it tho...

November 30th, 2009, 11:16 PM	#7 (permalink)
dudeitscraig NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: long beach, ca Age: 25 Posts: 6	i appreciate the help : ) do you know what size drill to use?

December 1st, 2009, 03:21 AM	#8 (permalink)
ievans TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Sucka Free, CA Age: 34 Posts: 11	You'll need at least a 12" drill press. The holes are about 5.5" from the edge, so you'll need a press with a 6" throat (ie the distance from the support column to the center of the drill).

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