Compensated bridge?

[delta tone]

Can someone explain this to me? I am looking at getting another tele, and I like the vintage look of the 3 barrel bridge. What is the difference in compensated and not?

Thanks

[Jellecaster]

The original design doesn't intonate properly leading to notorious tuning problems. Compensated bridges are cut or slotted to fix this problem - and they actually work! Fender is selling a couple of models with these saddles. The best third-party saddles you can buy (IMHO) are from Glendale

[TELEkinetic]

Originally Posted by Jellecaster

The best third-party saddles you can buy (IMHO) are from Glendale

Agreed!

[Buckocaster51]

and if you can't find Glendales...see if you can find some Glendales.

In my last 10 years of Banzai crazy guitar playing...and about the only way I could have played more guitar during the last 10 years would have been to kiss the day job goodbye and do music full time...I have made two great discoveries:

1) Arm rests* on acoustic guitars REALLY do make a difference.

2) Glendale compensated saddles have allowed me to play an in-tune Tele for the first time in 35 years. Those saddles have completely changed my approach to playing Telecaster. IMO they are a must. (Of course I still play like a clutz...but that is because I spend too much time yakking on TDPRI when I SHOULD be practicing. )

With wound G strings (and who uses them anymore?) it might be possible to get straight three-piece saddles pretty close.

But with a skinny G I just don't see how you can even get pretty close...that's why I am convinced that many of us had to be "bending" notes to the right pitch whenever we went down the neck. We had to be doing that...at least subconsciously.

(Yes, I know this attention to proper intonation might sound strange coming from me...especially since last week I was advocating body templates that were "close enough" because it really doesn't make much difference. But I can't HEAR the shape of my guitar's body. I can hear those notes. )

And of course, your mileage may vary. But if it does, you're wrong!

*John Pearse if you are curious.

[fenderslash]

Originally Posted by Jellecaster

Fender is selling a couple of models with these saddles.

I never knew that. Which models come standard with compensated saddles? Off on a slight tangent, I've always thought that if Fender included a set of compensated saddles with the AV reissues it would be a much better idea than their current practice of including a six-saddle set, since after the changover it would still look almost original.

[bglaze]

Can these Glendale saddles give you better intonation than one of the new 6 saddle bridges? If so, I am no sure how since strings share a saddle, but I get confused about a lot of things, so it wouldn't surprise me if I was way wrong in my theories here too.

[gtech]

Not better intonation, but better sound...

Gilles

[mellecaster]

Originally Posted by Jellecaster

The original design doesn't intonate properly leading to notorious tuning problems. Compensated bridges are cut or slotted to fix this problem - and they actually work! Fender is selling a couple of models with these saddles. The best third-party saddles you can buy (IMHO) are from Glendale

While I agree w/ some of what you say...just be aware that having set-up up hundreds of std. three barrel Teles...and this is using a Strobe, in Playing Position...many stock set-ups can be Dead On...and that's just a fact...note I said Many..and NOT all...and BTW, I have nothing against modern improvements...just thought you should temper your statement somewhat...

[JohnnyCrash]

In case you're new to the whole thing:
Intonation is how "in tune" fretted notes are. This means fine tuning the length of the string. This is done by making it longer or shorter by adjusting the saddle forward or backward.

Strings tuned open may be in tune, but when fretted they may not be in tune. The biggest trouble spots on a typical three saddle bridge would be the G and B strings.

To get the standard vintage styled three saddle bridges to intonate "properly" you have to slightly tune you G and B strings a little "funky". It does the trick, but it's not 100% of a fix for most folks.

This slight tuning trick can be found on the Seymour Duncan website as described by Jerry Donahue of the Hellecasters fame.

I prefer compensated saddles in conjunction with a compensated nut (the Earvana nut).

There are two basic types of compensated saddles:
1. The barrels are angled, with the G string angle cutting backwards.
2. The saddles are bevelled to make the strings break at different locations.

It's the same concept, but a little better than something like the two piece bridges on newer acoustic guitars since A angles closer to the nut than E, high E closer than B, G farther, etc.

The compensated nut helps by further intonating open strings, helping especially in intonating open position chords (chords with both fretted and open notes).

Compensated saddles are theoretically less as accurate as a 6 saddle bridge, since as mentioned, 2 strings share a saddle. I've been happy with compensated saddles on ALL FIVE of my Telecasters... I have no intonation problems.

I do not bother with Glendales... they're a bit steep in price on most of their stuff.

I have tried:
All-Parts (angled, brass)
Wilkinson (bevelled, both brass and chromed steel)
RS Guitarworks (bevelled, chromed steel)
Stew Mac (angled, brass)
and an "off brand" (angled, brass)

I prefer brass to tame some overly bright Telecasters, steel to brighten up others.

I really disliked the Stew Mac set, and the "off brand" set. I like the fatter flathead screws on the All-Parts (they're more vintage looking), but the fatter screws mean less space for the strings - which can be a problem on angled comp saddles.

The Wilkinson and RSGuitarworks saddles were good too.

[delta tone]

This is exactly the kind of info I was looking for. I appreciate everyone's help.

[Grin'n'pick]

Another vote for the Glendales, it is money well spent.

[Jellecaster]

Originally Posted by fenderslash

I never knew that. Which models come standard with compensated saddles? Off on a slight tangent, I've always thought that if Fender included a set of compensated saddles with the AV reissues it would be a much better idea than their current practice of including a six-saddle set, since after the changover it would still look almost original.

The '52 Hot Rod and one of the new CS models have compensated saddles stock. There may be others. I suspect that Fender will do more of these in the future. The Peavey Omniac JD that I just got came stock with Wilkinson saddles...

[onceagriffon]

I have standard ALL PArts three barrel saddles and I am intonated almost dead on. I do however have a wound G, so maybe that's why, however prior to that I was very very close when I had a standard G.
Rob