Is it worth buying a 3 saddle bridge / ashtray cover?

[spearlymatt]

Here's the situation:

I should be getting a 6 saddle vintage-type bridge soon, (I ordered it thinking I was going to pay $5, but got stuck paying shipping for a total of $10 for something I didn't really want.)

I can either sell this, use it, or just let it lie around until I find a use for it.

Or, I can spend an extra $25 - $35 for a 3 saddle compensated saddle bridge.

And either way I'm going to have to spend $15-$20 on a cover.

Or I can just let things alone. So in your opinion, what should I do?

Oh, and I have a black guitar with white pickguard, and I think they're ugly without an ashtray bridge if that figures in at all

*waits for replies about how black guitars w/ white pickguards aren't ugly*

[Post Toastie]

How do you mute strings with the ashtray on?

[JohnnyCrash]

Originally Posted by Post Toastie

How do you mute strings with the ashtray on?

You sorta can't.

I like the way the ashtray covers look, I also prefer 3 saddles for looks (I buy compensated 3 saddle sets though).

I can't use the covers though, since I do a lit of palm muting :(

[Stuco]

Nobody uses the covers really. Just get the 3 saddle and rock out. Black guitars with white pickguards aren't ugly.

[Colt W. Knight]

Covers look cool, but without being able to palm mute, kills the whole appeal of the tele for me.

[spearlymatt]

I don't think it's really worth getting a 3 saddle though other than the slight tone difference of brass saddles. And I don't really palm mute that much, though I would like to keep the option open when I need it.

[Colt W. Knight]

opposingly, I can't stand 6 saddle bridges.

[spearlymatt]

I don't mind the stock ones, I'm not sure I'm going to like what I'm ordering. I'm probably going to resell it.

[voided3]

If it is a modern style six saddle setup that is string through body, I wouldn't be in a huge hurry to replace it (as opposed to the vintage style six saddles), but if your guitar either has the Gotoh modern bridge or is something like a MIM Standard with the same hole pattern as a vintage three saddle, it can't hurt to just drop one in to see if you like it (otherwise you're drilling some new holes). I think the three saddle ashtrays do look nice and they are very inexpensive as you have found. Alternatively, you can drill your current bridge to accept three saddles if you are going more for a tonal change, but this sounds more like an aesthetic quest. I don't use an ashtray cover, though, because 1) my two Teles with the vintage bridge didn't come with them and 2) they really get in the way, plus I have a B-bender on one preventing use of it anyway. Oh, and a mint green or parchment guard looks smashing on a black Tele!

[Colt W. Knight]

Originally Posted by Stuco

Black guitars with white pickguards aren't ugly.

Nope but that Bob guy surely is.

[mellecaster]

UGLY ??? Don't tell the Twins that........

[Dave Hopping]

Originally Posted by Post Toastie

How do you mute strings with the ashtray on?

By bouncing the right side of your right hand on the strings like steel players do.
BUT....you'll be picking between the neck pickup and the end of the neck.Not exactly conducive to bridge-pickup bite,and your right hand and right arm will be several inches forward of their natural position.So yes,it's possible to mute with the ashtray on,but it's easier to leave it off.YMMV.

EDIT:I don't know why,but Mellecaster's B&W Teles put me in mind of a pair of black Rolls-Royces with white leather interior and all that wood trim.

[ole AZ]

Originally Posted by Colt W. Knight

Covers look cool, but without being able to palm mute, kills the whole appeal of the tele for me.

I know what you're sayin, but, the whole appeal of the Tele is to palm muste?

I think black guitars with whiteguards are hot, and one of my favorite teles I ever had was an MIM Standard in black. Great guitar.

[telex76]

heres my black with whiteguard and compensated 3 saddle bridge

[63dot]

Originally Posted by Colt W. Knight

opposingly, I can't stand 6 saddle bridges.

same here

[Colt W. Knight]

Originally Posted by ole AZ

I know what you're sayin, but, the whole appeal of the Tele is to palm muste?

I think black guitars with whiteguards are hot, and one of my favorite teles I ever had was an MIM Standard in black. Great guitar.

Maybe not the whole appeal, but it certainly one of the main reasons all my electric guitars are teles with ashtray bridges. That palm resting on the bottom strings gets me that cool sound I am after.

[Tidepoolbay]

I have tried, but it gets in the way. It cuts out on the way I attack the strings near the treble pickup.
But hey, Albert Collins always had one!

[dan1952]

Best Tele I ever had was a '69, black with maple cap neck and white pickguard. BTW, ix-nay on the six way! 3 piece looks right, sounds better, and doesn't rattle.