What year?

ChazM · July 1st, 2008, 01:27 AM

I'm not sure if this is the right place for this inquiry or not, but what year did Fender stop making the three saddle ashtray style bridges and start putting on the longer, flatter bridges? I did a little digging and I found what claims to be a 1980 Tele with the more modern bridge style. I'm sure somebody here knows the exact year! But anybody know why they switched? Intonation?

stevieboy · July 1st, 2008, 02:17 AM

Acccording to the Duchossoir tele "bible" 1983. It also says that from 83-87 they were top loading.

braderrick · July 1st, 2008, 10:30 AM

True but I believe even before that they went to a six saddle set up but it was still in an ashtray type bridge.

jwells393 · July 1st, 2008, 10:44 AM

In 1968 the three threaded saddles were replaced with three steel saddles with a grooves for the strings. This bridge was the standard bridge until 1983. Vintage bridges with six saddles were fitted to the Custom in the mid-70s and offered as a retrofit accessary.

The above is paraphrased from the Duchossoir book.

July 1st, 2008, 01:27 AM	#1 (permalink)
ChazM TDPRI Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Boston Age: 37 Posts: 75	What year? I'm not sure if this is the right place for this inquiry or not, but what year did Fender stop making the three saddle ashtray style bridges and start putting on the longer, flatter bridges? I did a little digging and I found what claims to be a 1980 Tele with the more modern bridge style. I'm sure somebody here knows the exact year! But anybody know why they switched? Intonation? __________________ http://www.myspace.com/chazmatthews666

July 1st, 2008, 02:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
stevieboy Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: the valley Posts: 2,207 6 Photos	Acccording to the Duchossoir tele "bible" 1983. It also says that from 83-87 they were top loading. __________________ "One of the best bands ever. These guys were such perfectionist"--Youtube user comment

July 1st, 2008, 10:44 AM	#4 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 11,693 101 Photos	In 1968 the three threaded saddles were replaced with three steel saddles with a grooves for the strings. This bridge was the standard bridge until 1983. Vintage bridges with six saddles were fitted to the Custom in the mid-70s and offered as a retrofit accessary. The above is paraphrased from the Duchossoir book. __________________ Jack's Disclaimer: When I say something.... always ask yourself ..... "What the hell does he know?" _ Guys - learn to disable the flash on your digital cameras.

July 1st, 2008, 10:30 AM	#3 (permalink)
braderrick Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kentucky Age: 25 Posts: 425	True but I believe even before that they went to a six saddle set up but it was still in an ashtray type bridge.