where can i get and ashtray toploader bridge?

newbie · June 16th, 2003, 07:44 AM

i got my toploader in and i absolutely love it so far. anyone know where i can get an ahstray toploader? it's got the flat bridge, but it has individual steel barrel saddles and 3 mounting screws. it looks for the life of me like a vintage ashtray would fit...

Darrell · June 16th, 2003, 11:30 AM

kgharper@prodigy.net

I bought one from him. It was the best thing I ever did to that guitar and I have done just about everything imaginable to it.

Let me know what you think.

newbie · June 16th, 2003, 11:49 AM

thanks darrell, i just sent him mail. i'll keep ya posted...

Darrell · June 16th, 2003, 12:21 PM

It won't use the same screw wholes for mounting the bridge. You will have to drill new ones. When you get it, and are ready to install it, I have a few tips that will help improve your chances to get it right the first time. (Measure 10 times, drill once)

Michael Murphy · June 16th, 2003, 06:36 PM

You can take a regular old ordinary vintage ashtray bridge and convert it yourself without much effort. It's actually period-correct for many '59 and '60 Teles, due to Leo's brief flirtation with top loaders in '58.

Just take a stock ashtray and drill the holes in the back lip (as close to the bottom of it as you can). Line them up with the existing string-through holes. Using a drill press is the best way to do it, but if you're careful, you can do it with a hand drill. Just use a punch to mark the spot so the bit doesn't drift.

You will have to redrill the mounting holes in the body to match the four-screw pattern, like Darrell said....

-Michael
Charter Member S. Texas He-Man Emoticon Haters Local #316

Darrell · June 16th, 2003, 09:34 PM

But most of us don't have a drill press, and a regular drill will probably scatch the crap out of some of it. For the same price, you get the wholes punched the right size for you.

BTW, it is chrome and ferrous (a little harder to drill with an average drill)

It is basically just like the one's on the 50's MIM classic, but with the wholes in it.

Newbie...you weren't the only person to write me based on this thread.

Telecaster · June 17th, 2003, 01:27 PM

Was scanning EBay and found this.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ategory=72 66

Darrell · June 18th, 2003, 12:14 PM

same bridge and (picture of one) I have. Potbelly is his other email. As I said, he usually has one out there on ebay. You just barely make out the wholes on the back lip, but they are there. Ken is a good guy.

June 16th, 2003, 07:44 AM	#1 (permalink)
newbie Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 226	where can i get and ashtray toploader bridge? i got my toploader in and i absolutely love it so far. anyone know where i can get an ahstray toploader? it's got the flat bridge, but it has individual steel barrel saddles and 3 mounting screws. it looks for the life of me like a vintage ashtray would fit...

June 16th, 2003, 11:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
Darrell Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Houston, Texas Age: 48 Posts: 2,450	Email this guy kgharper@prodigy.net I bought one from him. It was the best thing I ever did to that guitar and I have done just about everything imaginable to it. Let me know what you think.

June 16th, 2003, 11:49 AM	#3 (permalink)
newbie Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 226	thanks! thanks darrell, i just sent him mail. i'll keep ya posted...

June 16th, 2003, 12:21 PM	#4 (permalink)
Darrell Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Houston, Texas Age: 48 Posts: 2,450	Be aware... It won't use the same screw wholes for mounting the bridge. You will have to drill new ones. When you get it, and are ready to install it, I have a few tips that will help improve your chances to get it right the first time. (Measure 10 times, drill once)

June 16th, 2003, 06:36 PM	#5 (permalink)
Michael Murphy Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: I can hit the Pacific Ocean and/or Canada with a rock from here... Age: 62 Posts: 1,068	You can take a regular old ordinary vintage ashtray bridge and convert it yourself without much effort. It's actually period-correct for many '59 and '60 Teles, due to Leo's brief flirtation with top loaders in '58. Just take a stock ashtray and drill the holes in the back lip (as close to the bottom of it as you can). Line them up with the existing string-through holes. Using a drill press is the best way to do it, but if you're careful, you can do it with a hand drill. Just use a punch to mark the spot so the bit doesn't drift. You will have to redrill the mounting holes in the body to match the four-screw pattern, like Darrell said.... -Michael Charter Member S. Texas He-Man Emoticon Haters Local #316 __________________ *Just an analog boy in a digital world...*

June 16th, 2003, 09:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
Darrell Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Houston, Texas Age: 48 Posts: 2,450	Yes But most of us don't have a drill press, and a regular drill will probably scatch the crap out of some of it. For the same price, you get the wholes punched the right size for you. BTW, it is chrome and ferrous (a little harder to drill with an average drill) It is basically just like the one's on the 50's MIM classic, but with the wholes in it. Newbie...you weren't the only person to write me based on this thread.

June 17th, 2003, 01:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
Telecaster Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 182	Top Loader Was scanning EBay and found this. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ategory=72 66

June 18th, 2003, 12:14 PM	#8 (permalink)
Darrell Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Houston, Texas Age: 48 Posts: 2,450	That's it... same bridge and (picture of one) I have. Potbelly is his other email. As I said, he usually has one out there on ebay. You just barely make out the wholes on the back lip, but they are there. Ken is a good guy.