Telecaster bridge plate

[BillBrasky]

Hey TDPRI forumites, I'm new here.

I just purchased a silverburst Tele and I'd like to change the stock 6 saddle bridge. I'm thinking I have a couple different options:

1) Change the bridge to a Joe Barden bridge

2) Purchase a stock Fender bridge plate and load Callaham saddles onto it

I'm not entirely sure which Fender bridge plate to get for a MIM Tele, also is there a major difference between the Barden bridge and Callaham hardware?

[kylejf90]

go for a glendale with their cutting edge saddles.

[BillBrasky]

I would, but Glendale is out my price range

[BillBrasky]

Other opinions?

[KevinB]

Originally Posted by BillBrasky

Hey TDPRI forumites, I'm new here.

I just purchased a silverburst Tele and I'd like to change the stock 6 saddle bridge. I'm thinking I have a couple different options:

1) Change the bridge to a Joe Barden bridge

2) Purchase a stock Fender bridge plate and load Callaham saddles onto it

I'm not entirely sure which Fender bridge plate to get for a MIM Tele, also is there a major difference between the Barden bridge and Callaham hardware?

There are a bunch of options available. Everything from a $12 Fender plate to mega dollar Callaham or Glendale ones (both of which are superb). Barden is good in the mid-price range, as is Wilkinson. Personally, I'm a big fan of Fender's Highway One plate (from eBay or Darren Riley) which is thicker steel, and much better made than the standard "Pat Pend" plate and tends to push the mids a little. Paired with Callaham enhanced compensated saddles, it makes a great combination...

[kenfolk]

wilkinson 22.00 at guitarpartsresource

[WaylonFan76]

I know a Glendale's plate is is a little expensive, but trust me on this, it is worth every penny ... You will be sorry you didn't do it before. Just save for a little while ( it's about a gig's worth, if you're a gigging musician). Dale's stuff looks really good, but its major thing is the improvement in tone. MAJOR.IMO

[boris bubbanov]

Originally Posted by BillBrasky

2) Purchase a stock Fender bridge plate and load Callaham saddles onto it

This is a fine idea, as Kevin has said. An "AV52" style one or a Highway One style one, from Darren Riley. Darren might have some Allparts or other compensated saddle you can complete the order with. Or use the Callahams.

Too bad Darren does not sell the Callahams. You could get the Glendale saddles from him instead. One order is way easier than two.

[BillBrasky]

Originally Posted by KevinB

There are a bunch of options available. Everything from a $12 Fender plate to mega dollar Callaham or Glendale ones (both of which are superb). Barden is good in the mid-price range, as is Wilkinson. Personally, I'm a big fan of Fender's Highway One plate (from eBay or Darren Riley) which is thicker steel, and much better made than the standard "Pat Pend" plate and tends to push the mids a little. Paired with Callaham enhanced compensated saddles, it makes a great combination...

The Highway 1 plate looks nice, think it'll fit on a MIM Tele?

[KevinB]

Originally Posted by BillBrasky

The Highway 1 plate looks nice, think it'll fit on a MIM Tele?

It's a straight swap.

There are basically two types of Tele bridges, "vintage" (like most Teles) which have 4 screw holes with 6 string holes behind them, and "modern" (like American Standards) which have 3 screw holes and 6 string holes in front of them.

By "behind"and "in front" I mean farther away from the neck, and closer to the neck respectively.

The Highway One plate is a nice piece and you should be able to find one for $12 or so.

[alexthetaxi]

Just outa interest. Would a wilkinson bridge be considered to be better or worse than a fender with callahams? I thought about doing this a while ago but never got round to it. I notice a wilkinson doesn't have the sharp edges you get with the fender, but im not sure which would sound better?

[KevinB]

Originally Posted by alexthetaxi

Just outa interest. Would a wilkinson bridge be considered to be better or worse than a fender with callahams? I thought about doing this a while ago but never got round to it. I notice a wilkinson doesn't have the sharp edges you get with the fender, but im not sure which would sound better?

It's a question that can't really be answered

Better or worse to who? What do you mean by "sound better"?

All I can say is that Wilkinson makes a very good bridge, there are lots of people here that are very happy with them. From an engineering standpoint the Callaham (and Glendale, and Rutters) stuff is just superb. It's like jewelry for your guitar. Is it worth the extra $$$? Only you can say!

[boris bubbanov]

Originally Posted by alexthetaxi

Would a wilkinson bridge be considered to be better or worse than a fender with callahams?

I've done this exact comparo on a number of guitars, and the AV or Highway bridge matched with Callahams always outmans the Wilky Sung Il bridge/ saddles combo. The Wilky plate is not too bad but the saddles are IMO inferior to most of these other choices that are mentioned here. I mean, I doubt these Wilky saddles vary too much from one set to another, but I find the one set I have kinda stinko. They sound like the cheap Highway One saddles except they do intonate pretty well.

[Ricky D.]

I got a used set of Glendale saddles and put them on a Fender plate with excellent results. Later, Mrs. D. gave me a Glendale CRS plate. Looks better with the Glendale plate, but not much difference in the sound to my ears.

My next build will have a Fender plate with the Fender threaded steel saddles. I'll just bend the adjusting screws to get the intonation right.

[thesjkexperienc]

What change in sound are Glendale plates supposed to give? I saw they have different materials which would be obvious, but the difference between the vintage fender and the Glendale?

[1955]

Happy Callaham bridge & saddle guy here. Have had the Joe Barden but not the Glendale. My buddy has Glendale and it sounds great. I had the Barden bridge on a MIM Esquire a few years ago. Don't remember any problems with it lining up. It has the extra 2 smaller screw holes like the Callaham I believe, and I like that design better because the sustain is better the flatter it is with the body.

On the regular Fender bridge without the extra screws it is more microphonic, and also because of the bridge thickness and material. I had feedback problems and honky midrange with the traditional bridge so I switched out of necessity. The Barden was great.

My favorite is the Callaham, and I use the notched bridge with enhanced vintage saddles. The change in sound is worth it in my opinion. Some people like the Fender bridge so it just depends on the person.

I like Callaham because he does the '50's style like nobody else with a level of quality that is through the roof. He also makes great replacement slotted screws and all his hardware is top notch, like the knurled broadcaster knobs. I'm a fan for life, just my 2 cents.

[thesjkexperienc]

I love the Callaham block and arm on my Strats, but really like the tone of my LsL with the cheap Fender bridge. I did change to the brass intone saddles since my ears are used to the intonation of Strats and not the traditional Tele. I am not sure I am getting the best intonation, but it is better.

I am new to Teles and the whole bridge/ pickup/ saddles thing is a curious mix. I feel lucky I dont really have to fix anything, but it would be fun to A/B my current bridge to a Glendale of the same spec and what the physical and tonal differences are.

[Late Comer]

Might as well make my first post an absurdly embarrassing question....

How is the bridge in the picture above mounted? I don't see any mounting screws.
.

[piece of ash]

The screws are just under the saddles. These are chrome slotted screws. The reflection makes it looks like they aren't there though. Optical delusion... looks just like the screw holes would in the body.

[guitarzan13]

I have a Fender plate that I bought from Musicians Friend. Made in USA.... I sanded the bottom perfectly flat then added Callaham brass compensated saddles and I LOVE it!!!! All for under $60 shipped !!!