Question about MIM 50's Esquire bridge

undafonk · May 25th, 2005, 05:59 AM

Have been longing to get one of those MIM 50's Esquires. Prices here are rather cheap, about the same as buying one in the US next time I'm there and paying V.A.T. and import duties on it. So it is tempting ...

However, I noticed that the routing for the bridge pickup is so large, that you can see in the hole under the bridge plate, from both sides! This seemed to be the case with other MIM Tele's too.

Anyone here who owns an Esquire can confirm that this is normal, or is this a production error which subsequently got packed and sent to Europe? Anyhow, the bridge plate seemed a bit light and thin, when compared to MIJ and MIA Tele's, so I would probably upgrade to an aftermarket bridge. Can anyone tell me if an aftermarket bridge plate will cover the pickup route?

jwells393 · May 25th, 2005, 09:56 AM

I have a few Fender Telecasters. Don't have the 50's Esquire but do have the 50's Telecaster. They're the same body. On all my Telecasters that have the ashtray type bridge plate, you can just see the pickup rout on each side of bridge plate. You actually have to make an effort to see it. This is also true of my old 1966. If you're looking at one with the rout very noticible, I'd say it's not normal.

undafonk · May 25th, 2005, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwells393

If you're looking at one with the rout very noticible, I'd say it's not normal.

Thanks, jwells393. It is indeed very noticeable. I didn't try, but I think you could stick a pin inside.

I am just hoping that this due to the cheap MIM bridgeplate (it really looks thin and rudely made to me, and the bridge saddles are not that great too). So maybe an aftermarket bridge/saddles assembly would solve it? (no qualms with the pickup itself...)

FraKo · May 25th, 2005, 10:28 AM

I've got a Standard MIM: when I put a vintage bridge (an original Fender, it seems it came from a Higway 1) I saw that the route was noticeable (argueable) at a VERY close inspection. Not certainly large enuf to put a pick inside. And I guess the routing is the same. Maybe the one you saw was badly manufactured, it may occur.

May 25th, 2005, 05:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
undafonk Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Rotterdam, the Netherlands Posts: 534 47 Photos	Question about MIM 50's Esquire bridge Have been longing to get one of those MIM 50's Esquires. Prices here are rather cheap, about the same as buying one in the US next time I'm there and paying V.A.T. and import duties on it. So it is tempting ... However, I noticed that the routing for the bridge pickup is so large, that you can see in the hole under the bridge plate, from both sides! This seemed to be the case with other MIM Tele's too. Anyone here who owns an Esquire can confirm that this is normal, or is this a production error which subsequently got packed and sent to Europe? Anyhow, the bridge plate seemed a bit light and thin, when compared to MIJ and MIA Tele's, so I would probably upgrade to an aftermarket bridge. Can anyone tell me if an aftermarket bridge plate will cover the pickup route?

May 25th, 2005, 09:56 AM	#2 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 12,252 101 Photos	I have a few Fender Telecasters. Don't have the 50's Esquire but do have the 50's Telecaster. They're the same body. On all my Telecasters that have the ashtray type bridge plate, you can just see the pickup rout on each side of bridge plate. You actually have to make an effort to see it. This is also true of my old 1966. If you're looking at one with the rout very noticible, I'd say it's not normal. __________________ Jack's Disclaimer: When I say something.... always ask yourself ..... "What the hell does he know?" _ Guys - learn to disable the flash on your digital cameras.

May 25th, 2005, 10:28 AM	#4 (permalink)
FraKo Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Milan, Italy Posts: 1,288	I'm with Jwells I've got a Standard MIM: when I put a vintage bridge (an original Fender, it seems it came from a Higway 1) I saw that the route was noticeable (argueable) at a VERY close inspection. Not certainly large enuf to put a pick inside. And I guess the routing is the same. Maybe the one you saw was badly manufactured, it may occur. __________________ FraKo-the-gnome 1/2 Member of the Double Bound Telecaster Owners Club