Anyone tried the Callaham bridge for AmStnd Tele?

TheGoodTexan · January 3rd, 2005, 11:40 PM

Anyone have a review of this?

I'm thinking of using one on a parts-caster...maybe even counter-sinking it so that the base is flush with the top of the body.

It just looks really cool, and I generally perfer 3 compensated saddles over 6 Strat-style saddles.

Johnny Isaacs · January 4th, 2005, 12:28 AM

Probably the best thing ever to happen to an AS Telecaster!

1110000% recommend it!

Johnny Isaacs

John Harrison · January 4th, 2005, 01:07 AM

The guitar really came alive, after I swapped a Callaham for the stock brass bridge. Very pleased, indeed!

esquirej · January 4th, 2005, 01:21 AM

I gots to get me one of those!!

bender72 · January 4th, 2005, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Isaacs

Probably the best thing ever to happen to an AS Telecaster!

1110000% recommend it!

Johnny Isaacs

Johnny

Did you have to drill a hole through the bridge plate for the B-string? Or did Callaham do this for you?

Tele-Whacker · January 4th, 2005, 02:02 PM

I might be interested. I have three questions, and I'm not tryin' to be DUMB, or SMART.

#1, What are the benifitts of this over the stock bridge?
#2, What is the cost?
#3, Where do I get one?
Thanks for any, and all Info.

TheGoodTexan · January 4th, 2005, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tele-Whacker

I might be interested. I have three questions, and I'm not tryin' to be DUMB, or SMART.

#1, What are the benifitts of this over the stock bridge?
#2, What is the cost?
#3, Where do I get one?
Thanks for any, and all Info.

1. This is somewhat subjective, and can spark endless debate in this forum. What I feel (and a lot of others) is that the downward pressure on the saddles is greater, since you have 2 strings per saddle, versus 1 string per saddle on an AmStnd.

Also, the material (brass or steel) that is used for the saddle may make a difference in tone.

I generally prefer the 3 saddle setup. I seems to make for better sustain, and the guitar just resonates better. It's more "chimey".

You can't just swap out a vintage style Fender Tele bridge on a guitar that is routed for the AmStnd bridge. The mounting holes and/or string holes won't line up.

2. $75.00

3. www.callahamguitars.com

Vintique also makes one that is similar in function (looks a little more vintage) but is $240.00 ...ouch.

Gino · January 4th, 2005, 03:05 PM

Got mine for Christmas and REALLY like it!
Bill Callaham also seems to be a very nice guy. The bridge was sent to my daughter then staying in the US - unfortunately a left-handed model!
Upon my desperate e-mail Bill sent another right-handed model the same day to my German address - very nice![/img]

Fendher Bendher · January 4th, 2005, 03:43 PM

then you will want the vintage 3-saddle bridge.
FB

Raymond · January 4th, 2005, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tele-Whacker

#1, What are the benefis of this over the stock bridge?

Besides what TheGoodTexan said, I personaly believe that the main benefit is that this bridge is magnetic while the MIA stock bridge isn't. The magnetic properties of the bridge material has a huge effect in tone and I believe that if you want the real Tele tone you must use a magnetic bridge. Since you can't replace the MIA bridge with a vintage style one whiout drilling new holes, this is the way to go.

At the end of the day, unless you can do it yourself, the cost of getting someone to drill new holes plus the bridge makes this option quite attractive.

nedray · January 4th, 2005, 04:20 PM

Mine sounded terrible on the first guitar I put it on, but sounds great on the one I just installed it on. What's the difference? Callaham shipped mounting screws that were just slightly smaller than the original ones with the first guitar. I installed it with the new screws and I think the bridge didn't mount firmly against the body and was making clangy vibrations. On the second guitar I used the original mounting screws, torqued it down good and tight, and it's great. As mentioned above, nice warm, chimey tone and sustain for days. I've got a Seth Lover neck and Quarter-Pound bridge pup on this one so you could argue it's not really a Tele. Nonetheless, I noticed much more convincing tone when I changed the bridge.

Johnny Isaacs · January 4th, 2005, 05:29 PM

I drilled the hole for my B string for my B bender.

I like the Steel saddles and there's an upcharge of $10 bucks, but it's worth it to me. So my bridge was $85. Here's the best part...I ordered it on Tuesday and got it on Friday!

Johnny Isaacs

bender72 · January 4th, 2005, 05:51 PM

What would you gents recomend for someone using a JD Bridge pup, compared to say a 5/2? Would a 5/2 be really dark with Brass saddles?
Would a JD be too bright with steel saddles?
Or would you use a JD with Brass and Steel with the 5/2?
Would that balance out your sound, unless you where looking for something that twangy?

Johnny, are you using this tele on your website that has the mp3's?

Johnny Isaacs · January 5th, 2005, 12:12 AM

Yep - this is the Tele on the CD. On tracks 4, 8 & 9, it's my Blue Floral Tele, but the Bender is on all the others.

Here's the link to my website http://www.10cityrun.com

Here's the direct link to the sound samples:
http://goatsong.org/merchandise.shtml

Johnny Isaacs

Twangmeister · January 5th, 2005, 05:57 PM

I switched out the 6-saddle bridge on my '98 AS w/3 Bardens (Tele set + Strat in the middle). The strings are MUCH more bendable and the whole guitar plays better. I'm not much of a techno-wizard, but this just played and sounded better than before. Just my .02. Plus, Callaham is very fast and reliable. This was my fourth transaction with them and absolutely no problems.

January 4th, 2005, 12:28 AM	#2 (permalink)
Johnny Isaacs Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 1,468 3 Photos	I use them! Probably the best thing ever to happen to an AS Telecaster! 1110000% recommend it! Johnny Isaacs __________________ Myspace music page I've never trusted a guitar player who hasn't licked a few 9volts... Famous last words...... after this one, no new Tele's!

January 4th, 2005, 01:07 AM	#3 (permalink)
John Harrison Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Corvallis, OR Posts: 1,043	Me, too The guitar really came alive, after I swapped a Callaham for the stock brass bridge. Very pleased, indeed!

January 4th, 2005, 01:21 AM	#4 (permalink)
esquirej Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2003 Location: Cary, IL (NW 'Burbs of Chicago) Age: 37 Posts: 863	Oh snap! I gots to get me one of those!! __________________ www.littlenashvillemusic.com - It's basically a "Happy Meal" for kids of Tele-players!

January 4th, 2005, 02:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
Tele-Whacker Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Millsap, Tx. Posts: 266	Curious.... I might be interested. I have three questions, and I'm not tryin' to be DUMB, or SMART. #1, What are the benifitts of this over the stock bridge? #2, What is the cost? #3, Where do I get one? Thanks for any, and all Info. __________________ Chuck Cusimano

January 4th, 2005, 03:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
Gino TDPRI Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 11	Got mine for Christmas and REALLY like it! Bill Callaham also seems to be a very nice guy. The bridge was sent to my daughter then staying in the US - unfortunately a left-handed model! Upon my desperate e-mail Bill sent another right-handed model the same day to my German address - very nice![/img] __________________ If I don't meet you in this world, I meet you in the next one - but don't be late!

January 4th, 2005, 03:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
Fendher Bendher Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 193	If you want TWANG then you will want the vintage 3-saddle bridge. FB __________________ "I came here to kick ass and chew bubble gum and I'm all out of bubble gum." Roddy Piper

January 4th, 2005, 04:20 PM	#11 (permalink)
nedray Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: No. Virginia Age: 56 Posts: 173	I recommend it--now. Mine sounded terrible on the first guitar I put it on, but sounds great on the one I just installed it on. What's the difference? Callaham shipped mounting screws that were just slightly smaller than the original ones with the first guitar. I installed it with the new screws and I think the bridge didn't mount firmly against the body and was making clangy vibrations. On the second guitar I used the original mounting screws, torqued it down good and tight, and it's great. As mentioned above, nice warm, chimey tone and sustain for days. I've got a Seth Lover neck and Quarter-Pound bridge pup on this one so you could argue it's not really a Tele. Nonetheless, I noticed much more convincing tone when I changed the bridge.

January 4th, 2005, 05:29 PM	#12 (permalink)
Johnny Isaacs Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 1,468 3 Photos	Bender72... I drilled the hole for my B string for my B bender. I like the Steel saddles and there's an upcharge of $10 bucks, but it's worth it to me. So my bridge was $85. Here's the best part...I ordered it on Tuesday and got it on Friday! Johnny Isaacs __________________ Myspace music page I've never trusted a guitar player who hasn't licked a few 9volts... Famous last words...... after this one, no new Tele's!

January 4th, 2005, 05:51 PM	#13 (permalink)
bender72 Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: ND, USA Posts: 547 1 Photos	A little off topic What would you gents recomend for someone using a JD Bridge pup, compared to say a 5/2? Would a 5/2 be really dark with Brass saddles? Would a JD be too bright with steel saddles? Or would you use a JD with Brass and Steel with the 5/2? Would that balance out your sound, unless you where looking for something that twangy? Johnny, are you using this tele on your website that has the mp3's? __________________ "Don't sweat the pety things, pet the sweaty things."

January 5th, 2005, 12:12 AM	#14 (permalink)
Johnny Isaacs Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 1,468 3 Photos	My CD Yep - this is the Tele on the CD. On tracks 4, 8 & 9, it's my Blue Floral Tele, but the Bender is on all the others. Here's the link to my website http://www.10cityrun.com Here's the direct link to the sound samples: http://goatsong.org/merchandise.shtml Johnny Isaacs __________________ Myspace music page I've never trusted a guitar player who hasn't licked a few 9volts... Famous last words...... after this one, no new Tele's!

January 5th, 2005, 05:57 PM	#15 (permalink)
Twangmeister Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Lost Angeles, CA Posts: 1,251	Worked wonders for me... I switched out the 6-saddle bridge on my '98 AS w/3 Bardens (Tele set + Strat in the middle). The strings are MUCH more bendable and the whole guitar plays better. I'm not much of a techno-wizard, but this just played and sounded better than before. Just my .02. Plus, Callaham is very fast and reliable. This was my fourth transaction with them and absolutely no problems. __________________ "The man that hath no music in himself, nor is not mov'd with concord of sweet sounds, is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils." http://www.myspace.com/jeremendelsohn