Good suggestions for modern 6 saddle bridge to fit CVC Tele?

[PrimeA71]

I was hoping that another CVC Squier owner could point me in a good direction for a decent modern 6 saddle bridge replacement. I've done a bit of searching but it seems that all the modern bridges I came across have only 3 holes and the CVC's are 4-hole. I want somthing that will accomodate my Tele's 9.5 neck radius and is also a 4 hole,string-though bridge replacement. It's a bit of a shame as I dig the vintage look and CVC's are said to have a good sturdy bridge. I came to this decision when as usual after a string change, I went and made necessary adjustments to my intonation. Most of the time I'm not too far off as I check it regularly, but THIS time!?!? Yeah, I ran that whole gamut of emotions. I ain't going through THAT again, so can anyone help before I end up puttin this thing through a wall come next intonation adjustment.

[PrimeA71]

OK, after more looking into this that for any of the modern 6 saddle bridges, I would probably have to drill new holes for string ferrules. I'm not looking to get into all that. I'd be willing to get one of the ashtray bridges w/ Wilkenson compensated saddles. I'm just not up to the fight with intonating on a vintage 3 saddle bridge again. Has anyone tried the GFS bridge w/ compensated saddles. Looks like a 4 hole-mount, just wondering bout the quality?

[mellecaster]

Don't give up...you just didn't look hard enough.

THIS ONE is a Direct Replacement.

[PrimeA71]

Mellecaster, thanks for bringing that to my attention. Funny thing is I did check out the SewMac but for some reason thought I saw it as a 3 hole-mount job. And staring me right in the face is this......

Four mounting screw holes have 2-9/16" (65.09mm) center-to-center spread

Do you have the Stewmac bridge and if so, how do you like it?

[mellecaster]

Originally Posted by PrimeA71

Mellecaster, thanks for bringing that to my attention. Funny thing is I did check out the SewMac but for some reason thought I saw it as a 3 hole-mount job. And staring me right in the face is this......

Do you have the Stewmac bridge and if so, how do you like it?

It's actually a Gotoh Bridge...Stew-Mac just sells them....I have a Shop and

have installed many w/ no complaints....if that helps any ?

[boris bubbanov]

Originally Posted by mellecaster

It's actually a Gotoh Bridge...Stew-Mac just sells them....I have a Shop and

have installed many w/ no complaints....if that helps any ?

+1

This is the easy #1 choice; second might be a take-off bridge from a MIM Standard.

If that CVC is light in weight, this HEAVY Gotoh bridge might not hurt one bit.
I think Nick was saying these are EIGHT ounces, is that right? Yikes!

[PrimeA71]

It's actually a Gotoh Bridge...Stew-Mac just sells them....I have a Shop and

have installed many w/ no complaints....if that helps any ?

Yes, that helps alot, thanks. I know Gotoh is a good name/reputation but nice to know that there have been no complaints.

If that CVC is light in weight, this HEAVY Gotoh bridge might not hurt one bit.
I think Nick was saying these are EIGHT ounces, is that right? Yikes!

Well, it sounds like my CVC will be putting on some weight. Might not be the heaviest of the tele's, but not the lightest either. For me, I think dealing with the extra 8 ounces will be easier on me than the trouble I went through dialing in my intonation this last time. I honestly do like the look of the vintage 3 saddle but I hate the idea of intonation compromises. I'll feel much better knowing each string will be dead on and done with easr at that. Also, the way I rest my palm, I should be more comfortable with the modern model. My saddle screws currently stick up a bit more than I'd like them to and often it affects my muting(particularly D string), why the D I have no idea but hopefully this modification should clear up a few problems for me. Thanks a ton fella's.

[Bartholomew3]

I just put a GOTOH on a 68 - I always thought 6 saddle brass was way better for what I do.

[boris bubbanov]

Originally Posted by PrimeA71

Well, it sounds like my CVC will be putting on some weight. Might not be the heaviest of the tele's, but not the lightest either. For me, I think dealing with the extra 8 ounces will be easier on me than the trouble I went through dialing in my intonation this last time. I honestly do like the look of the vintage 3 saddle but I hate the idea of intonation compromises. I'll feel much better knowing each string will be dead on and done with easr at that. Also, the way I rest my palm, I should be more comfortable with the modern model. My saddle screws currently stick up a bit more than I'd like them to and often it affects my muting(particularly D string), why the D I have no idea but hopefully this modification should clear up a few problems for me. Thanks a ton fella's.

You could also check out the Callaham bridge. It is thick in guage, but the sides are lower all the way around and the saddles are nowhere near as obtrusive as many of the other "3 saddles" style bridge designs. .075 inches thick; 4-40 hardware. Best suited to guitars that are set up kinda low, as the stock saddle height hardware is quite short. The LEAST likely to scratch your hand 3 saddle design I know of.

The Callaham is maybe 30% more weight than a typical 3 saddle jobber like you have now - give or take.

[PrimeA71]

You could also check out the Callaham bridge. It is thick in guage, but the sides are lower all the way around and the saddles are nowhere near as obtrusive as many of the other "3 saddles" style bridge designs.

The Callaham could be a possibility. I would absolutely stay with a vintage bridge provided the compensated saddles made it that much easier to intonate. The brass being a plus as well, possibly gain some sustain and might be able to thicken up the tone of my bridge pup a bit. Could be a win win going that route. I'll look into both a bit more before I make the final decision.

[starchief_59]

I'm looking for the opposite. I have a modern 6 saddle with 3 mounting holes but I want to install a vintage style 3 saddle ashtray style.

[daacrusher2001]

I'm actually looking for the same thing. I was going to go with a Wilkinson with the three compensated saddles but I can't determine if it will fit with no modification to either the bridge or the CV body.

The Gotoh might be the way to go - would be interested to know if there are other options, or if the Wilkinson that GFS sells would work?

I have a little trouble reading the ruler (vision issue) to get the correct measurements - it's a pain, can't do much about it. Hoping one of you guys can suggest other drop in replacements.

Thx

[PinewoodRo]

I've used Gotoh bridges and tuners - all good quality, never had a problem.

[cleanman]

I stumbled on Armadillo bridges cause I was looking for a six saddle half bridge in brass. They are in Texas and seem to make this stuff when its ordered. Very responsive and easy to deal with.

[boris bubbanov]

Originally Posted by cleanman

I stumbled on Armadillo bridges cause I was looking for a six saddle half bridge in brass. They are in Texas and seem to make this stuff when its ordered. Very responsive and easy to deal with.

Do you have some weight information on this product.

The plate alone, the saddles alone?

Much obliged!

What comes home to me over time is that brass weighs a lot; is that weight acceptable? Is it doing enough good to make it the right choice?

[cleanman]

Don't know the weight but I ordered just the plate and put KTS titanium saddles on it and haven't looked back. Yes they are expensive but to my ear well worth every penny.

[boris bubbanov]

Originally Posted by cleanman

Don't know the weight but I ordered just the plate and put KTS titanium saddles on it and haven't looked back. Yes they are expensive but to my ear well worth every penny.

If the saddles are titanium that should trim off a lot of weight; that should be manageable.

We'd love to know, if you get a chance to put some dial calipers to that plate.
The thinner it is, the more it would appeal to me.


Thanks.

[cleanman]

Sorry boris, don't have calipers. I did communicate with the guys @ armadillo cause I wanted a copper control plate with an angled switch slot. They were very accessible. My bridge is a chopped ashtray style, like a G.E. Smith. The sides and back are thicker than the steel bridges I've seen. Like G.E. Smith I believe that a lot of the tele twang comes from the bridgeplate. I wanted a "woodier" tone from the bridge pup so its in the wood like the neck pup. This next bit may bore u but my parts tele is the result of some concepts that make sense to me. The main one is that all parts of an instrument should have musical qualities, so there is no plastic on my tele. There is also no nitro, poly or paint. I used indian rosewood for the body and goncalo alves/ pau fero for the '59 round back profile neck. Stainless steel frets. The nut is fossil ivory. The bridge and ferrule block are brass, saddles are titanium. Neck plate is unplated stainless steel. pickguard is leather. Brass knobs & switch tip. Pups are vintage vibe CC riders. For me it is all about optimizing string energy and the flow of vibration form other components. yeah I know its an electric, but pups r really microphones and mics pick up mechanical info and convert to electrical info so the denser the mechanical the more electrical comes out. I believe mechanical effiency is the difference between the Kirns, Sadowskys, Suhrs etc. and stock Fenders. Like comparing a stock mustang to a Shelby. End of rant, sorry to bore you.