String through bridge problem

Unjay · February 4th, 2008, 01:23 PM

Any ideas? The holes in my bridge are around 5mm towards the neck than the holes in the body of the Tele I am trying to put together!
Is there an easy way out, or do I have to

1. Get a new bridge
2. Drill 6 more holes in the body
or
3. Drill the bridge and make it a top loader?

What is my best option?

fivenote · February 4th, 2008, 02:06 PM

Do you have the right bridge? What bridge was the body drilled for? What kind of bridge do you have? Drilling new holes could get involved if you don't have the tools and experience. Got pics?

Unjay · February 4th, 2008, 05:23 PM

That's the thing... both body and bridge are OEM, not Fender, so maybe they are never meant to match! As I learn more about Teles, I see there is no one standard anyway...

The body is a Mighty Mite, and I do not know the brand of the bridge.

...yikes!

GilmourD · February 4th, 2008, 05:45 PM

Looks like the wrong bridge. That looks like a Squier bridge. You need a bridge with four screws that are between the string-through holes and the pickup. Any ashtray-style bridge (three saddle) or the Gotoh bridge that Fender puts on the MIM Standards would work.

yegbert · February 4th, 2008, 09:36 PM

Nice body, Unjay! Would you mind sharing where you got that one?

Quote:

Originally Posted by GilmourD

Looks like the wrong bridge. That looks like a Squier bridge. You need a bridge with four screws that are between the string-through holes and the pickup. Any ashtray-style bridge (three saddle) or the Gotoh bridge that Fender puts on the MIM Standards would work.

Yes, that looks like the same spec bridge that's on the current production Squier Standards.

Yes, with the holes 5mm off in that direction, it sounds like that body has its string through holes in the location appropriate for a vintage spec bridge. (And most folks would be rejoicing over that discovery! I am, because I've debated whether to get a Mighty Mite body not knowing whether the string through holes would fit a vintage bridge.)

You confused me on the last point, though.

Yes the bridge Fender puts on the current production MIM Standard Tele will fit. I don't know who makes that bridge for Fender though, but Gotoh makes one that is similar to the one on the MIM Standard, and it also fits.

Unjay · February 5th, 2008, 05:57 AM

Thanks for your help everyone!
Looks like it's back to the shops then!

The Ash body is very nice indeed, and I bought it from warpdrivemusic on eBay. It was only $US 99.00. They sent me the actual body they showed on the page, so the grain pattern was as shown- important because I am leaving it with a natural finish, as per "Mother of Tone" theories... no plastic for this Tele!

GilmourD · February 5th, 2008, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yegbert

You confused me on the last point, though.

Yes the bridge Fender puts on the current production MIM Standard Tele will fit. I don't know who makes that bridge for Fender though, but Gotoh makes one that is similar to the one on the MIM Standard, and it also fits.

Well, if Gotoh's not making that bridge for the MIMs, they sure make a bridge that looks exactly like it. I have an MIM bridge under my bed... I'll have to see if there are any ID marks on it.

Colt W. Knight · February 5th, 2008, 03:09 PM

Don't Mighty Mite bodies only accept Mighty Mite hardware?

toadman · February 5th, 2008, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unjay

Thanks for your help everyone!
Looks like it's back to the shops then!

The Ash body is very nice indeed, and I bought it from warpdrivemusic on eBay. It was only $US 99.00. They sent me the actual body they showed on the page, so the grain pattern was as shown- important because I am leaving it with a natural finish, as per "Mother of Tone" theories... no plastic for this Tele!

here's my ash partscaster after 20 years of use, abuse, and mods. no finish, just sweat, beer, cig smoke and bug spray(outdoor gigs).
IMO ash ages very nicely when left au natural!
BTW it's a wilkinson vintage bridge with bevel comp saddles and i really dig it!

Unjay · February 5th, 2008, 04:30 PM

Well that's what I call seasoned timber!

[quote=toadman;1102314]here's my ash partscaster after 20 years of use, abuse, and mods. no finish, just sweat, beer, cig smoke and bug spray(outdoor gigs).
IMO ash ages very nicely when left au natural!

Unjay · February 5th, 2008, 04:31 PM

Does anyone know if that's true about Mighty Mite bodies only accepting Mighty Mite hardware??

February 4th, 2008, 01:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
Unjay NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Semaphore Posts: 5	String through bridge problem Any ideas? The holes in my bridge are around 5mm towards the neck than the holes in the body of the Tele I am trying to put together! Is there an easy way out, or do I have to 1. Get a new bridge 2. Drill 6 more holes in the body or 3. Drill the bridge and make it a top loader? What is my best option?

February 4th, 2008, 02:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
fivenote Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 148 4 Photos	Do you have the right bridge? What bridge was the body drilled for? What kind of bridge do you have? Drilling new holes could get involved if you don't have the tools and experience. Got pics? __________________ ~~~~~ fivenote ~~~~~ One day I'll finally have the perfect guitar for me. That's also the day I'll get arthritis. It was a fun ride.

February 4th, 2008, 05:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
GilmourD Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Nutley, NJ Age: 29 Posts: 1,568	Looks like the wrong bridge. That looks like a Squier bridge. You need a bridge with four screws that are between the string-through holes and the pickup. Any ashtray-style bridge (three saddle) or the Gotoh bridge that Fender puts on the MIM Standards would work. __________________ Good deals: Joel Terry Layla Skye Sunny Wally Franky Honey Wolfy

February 5th, 2008, 05:57 AM	#6 (permalink)
Unjay NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Semaphore Posts: 5	Thanks for your help everyone! Looks like it's back to the shops then! The Ash body is very nice indeed, and I bought it from warpdrivemusic on eBay. It was only $US 99.00. They sent me the actual body they showed on the page, so the grain pattern was as shown- important because I am leaving it with a natural finish, as per "Mother of Tone" theories... no plastic for this Tele!

February 5th, 2008, 03:09 PM	#8 (permalink)
Colt W. Knight Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: West Virginia Age: 24 Posts: 2,170	Don't Mighty Mite bodies only accept Mighty Mite hardware?

February 5th, 2008, 04:30 PM	#10 (permalink)
Unjay NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Semaphore Posts: 5	Well that's what I call seasoned timber! [quote=toadman;1102314]here's my ash partscaster after 20 years of use, abuse, and mods. no finish, just sweat, beer, cig smoke and bug spray(outdoor gigs). IMO ash ages very nicely when left au natural!

February 5th, 2008, 04:31 PM	#11 (permalink)
Unjay NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Semaphore Posts: 5	Does anyone know if that's true about Mighty Mite bodies only accepting Mighty Mite hardware??