Affinity Squier Mod Advice

raf · February 9th, 2008, 03:37 PM

I have an Affinity which I have installed vintage noiseless pickups in...I really love the feel of the guitar even though it is "cheap." I would like to install a vintage style bridge with compensated saddles (top loader), new wiring/pots, & potentially make it an esquire...where do I get quality parts that will reduce the need for new holes, etc? Where would you start? What recommendations do you have? Thanks!

aunchaki · February 10th, 2008, 07:34 AM

There's no good solution for swapping bridges WITHOUT drilling new holes. Glendale makes a vintage-style bridge that uses the modern-style holes, but they're out of stock at the moment. Also, to make it work, it's longer than a true vintage bridge and looks funny to my eyes. Many folks throw on a Wilkinson top-loader from GFS. Cheap and good. I did it on my Affinity.

Warning: if you do get a vintage-style bridge and drill new holes, the original holes WILL NOT be covered by the new bridge plate. You'll have to plug them or live with them (I live with mine, I don't even notice them anymore).

That's the big Have-To-Drill-New-Holes upgrade. If you swap tuners, you may need new holes, depending on the replacements. Most of the other stuff swaps right out.

A pic of my Affinity (you can just make out one of the original bridge holes):

raf · February 10th, 2008, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aunchaki

There's no good solution for swapping bridges WITHOUT drilling new holes. Glendale makes a vintage-style bridge that uses the modern-style holes, but they're out of stock at the moment. Also, to make it work, it's longer than a true vintage bridge and looks funny to my eyes. Many folks throw on a Wilkinson top-loader from GFS. Cheap and good. I did it on my Affinity.

Warning: if you do get a vintage-style bridge and drill new holes, the original holes WILL NOT be covered by the new bridge plate. You'll have to plug them or live with them (I live with mine, I don't even notice them anymore).

That's the big Have-To-Drill-New-Holes upgrade. If you swap tuners, you may need new holes, depending on the replacements. Most of the other stuff swaps right out.

A pic of my Affinity (you can just make out one of the original bridge holes):

Thanks for the info! How do you like the new bridge compared to the original? Intonation still relatively easy to set?

Do you still have original switch, caps, input jack, etc? Once I get a new bridge on, that will likely be the next thing for me. I don't anticipate doing tuners - mine are holding tune pretty well.

Thanks again!

Steve G · February 10th, 2008, 03:34 PM

Intonation is good on those Wilki bridges I find. Usually best to change out the electronics wholesale IMO.

February 9th, 2008, 03:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
raf Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2007 Location: Indiana Age: 42 Posts: 695 9 Photos	Affinity Squier Mod Advice I have an Affinity which I have installed vintage noiseless pickups in...I really love the feel of the guitar even though it is "cheap." I would like to install a vintage style bridge with compensated saddles (top loader), new wiring/pots, & potentially make it an esquire...where do I get quality parts that will reduce the need for new holes, etc? Where would you start? What recommendations do you have? Thanks! __________________ "Great playing! Awesome tone! Cool Tele! All is right with the world!"...raf '08

February 10th, 2008, 07:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
aunchaki Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Western New York Posts: 1,251 16 Photos	There's no good solution for swapping bridges WITHOUT drilling new holes. Glendale makes a vintage-style bridge that uses the modern-style holes, but they're out of stock at the moment. Also, to make it work, it's longer than a true vintage bridge and looks funny to my eyes. Many folks throw on a Wilkinson top-loader from GFS. Cheap and good. I did it on my Affinity. Warning: if you do get a vintage-style bridge and drill new holes, the original holes WILL NOT be covered by the new bridge plate. You'll have to plug them or live with them (I live with mine, I don't even notice them anymore). That's the big Have-To-Drill-New-Holes upgrade. If you swap tuners, you may need new holes, depending on the replacements. Most of the other stuff swaps right out. A pic of my Affinity (you can just make out one of the original bridge holes): __________________ Two Teles, One Strat, Two Acoustics (6 & 12 strings), One Solidbody Acoustic, Two Mandolins (4 & 8 strings), One Bass (5 strings)

February 10th, 2008, 03:34 PM	#4 (permalink)
Steve G Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: LeeK (England) Posts: 1,757 60 Photos	Intonation is good on those Wilki bridges I find. Usually best to change out the electronics wholesale IMO. __________________ "He was a drinkin' man with a guitar problem..." http://www.myspace.com/stevegiddings http://www.myspace.com/hiandlonesome