wierzbowski
Tele-Meister
Hello, I'm looking for a decent quality bridge plate that can be strung normally or toploading. I already have saddles and Rutters/Glendale are out of my budget, any other suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!
Toploader bridge plate
- Thread starter wierzbowski
- Start date
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Amazon product ASIN B081CBKZPD
Wilkinson dual loader, with compensated brass saddles. The whole mess is only $20 bucks.
I like Rutters, but when I was putting together a build with a WRHB in the bridge, I bought a chopped traditional style Tele bridge from Wilkie, just to see if my plan would work out. It has worked, and the bridge and saddles are just fine, despite the low price.
Wilkinson dual loader, with compensated brass saddles. The whole mess is only $20 bucks.
I like Rutters, but when I was putting together a build with a WRHB in the bridge, I bought a chopped traditional style Tele bridge from Wilkie, just to see if my plan would work out. It has worked, and the bridge and saddles are just fine, despite the low price.
Will_Darden
TDPRI Member
I need a chopped version of this for my Deluxe build.
Happy Enchilada
Poster Extraordinaire
Here's 2 from Amazon - First one is bottom loader, second is top loader. Didn't see any that go both ways.
Amazon is always my first stop for parts.
I'm waiting on orders to come in now for a thinline build.
Everything but the neck and body came from Amazon.
And the neck would have been from there as well, but they're short on Mighty Mite necks at the moment.
So I found a WD neck on eBay with an ebony fingerboard at a reasonable price.
With a little luck, the neck will fit and I'll be off to the races!!!
Amazon is always my first stop for parts.
I'm waiting on orders to come in now for a thinline build.
Everything but the neck and body came from Amazon.
And the neck would have been from there as well, but they're short on Mighty Mite necks at the moment.
So I found a WD neck on eBay with an ebony fingerboard at a reasonable price.
With a little luck, the neck will fit and I'll be off to the races!!!
Actually this is the one I bought. Can't tell if they're different, but Amazon is cheaper.
Amazon product ASIN B08333YTWP
Will_Darden
TDPRI Member
Yup. There was one with tilt-compensated saddles on Stratosphere. Gonna get it and file it down for use with a Bigsby. I tried it with a tune-o-matic / jazzmaster-style and the action was way too high.
Plenty on eBay, $20 USD or less. Just search for telecaster bridge plate.
wierzbowski
Tele-Meister
Thanks for the replies, I saw a few cheap options but I'm pretty sure they are plated pot metal. Likewise, I haven't had much luck with Korean-made Wilkinson but I heard Philadelphia Luthier Tools has a nice steel bridge with toploading holes. Any other ideas?
This one?
www.philadelphialuthiertools.com
Looks good. It's the correct thickness...
I don't see the same thing without the saddles...
Vintage Tele - Style Bridge With 3 Brass Saddles
Luthier tools and guitar building parts for domestic and import. You will find knobs, bridges, tailpieces, pickguards, inlays, speciality files, saws
www.philadelphialuthiertools.com Looks good. It's the correct thickness...
I don't see the same thing without the saddles...
wierzbowski
Tele-Meister
I just checked and it looks like they only sell the complete bridge. The search continues...
wierzbowski
Tele-Meister
I really like Hipshot hardware, but they don't sell the baseplate alone.
wierzbowski
Tele-Meister
Any other suggestions?
I disregard the fact it has saddles that are not needed right now, or that are not exactly what I want. And I take a few chances on where it’s from and whether I know them already. If the plate is one you want and the price is reasonable, buy it.
Chuckmick
TDPRI Member
Hi there,
For a top loader bridge, you may want to have a look at this vendor:
www.etsy.com
Apparently he uses a genuine Fender vintage style bridge and modifies it to be a top loader as well (you'll have a dual loader bridge)
Hope this helps
For a top loader bridge, you may want to have a look at this vendor:
Fender Vintage Style Telecaster Top Load Bridge Plate - Etsy
This Guitars item by TheBridgeWorks has 47 favorites from Etsy shoppers. Ships from Monongahela, PA. Listed on Mar 31, 2024
www.etsy.com Apparently he uses a genuine Fender vintage style bridge and modifies it to be a top loader as well (you'll have a dual loader bridge)
Hope this helps
Kevin Wolfe
Tele-Afflicted
If you guys don’t mind, school me on the difference in top and through body bridges as far as sound and feel are concerned.
I
Lower tension on the strings is what I have read and how it feels to me. My top load Tele with 9's feels similar to my 24" scale guitars.
Thread 'String tension - through vs top loading' https://www.tdpri.com/threads/string-tension-through-vs-top-loading.924891/
Lower tension on the strings is what I have read and how it feels to me. My top load Tele with 9's feels similar to my 24" scale guitars.
Thread 'String tension - through vs top loading' https://www.tdpri.com/threads/string-tension-through-vs-top-loading.924891/
I too believe it is more of a difference in feel, than in sound.
During a string change, install a dual-loader bridge plate, string it toploaded, and then try it out yourself.
Strings and bridge plates can be relatively inexpensive and easy to install. And if you don’t like it, just swap it back to through-loading at the next string change.
Kevin Wolfe
Tele-Afflicted
That’s exactly what I was wondering. I’ve experimented with the over wrap/under wrap concept on Gibby tailpiece guitars.
I will do that. I’m in the early stages of parts gathering and planning for another build.
Thanks everyone. Never intended to hijack this thread. Good information here with great links as well.
TX_Slinger
Tele-Holic
I have the Korean Wilkinson brass comped on two builds, one shorty, other one full. They are stamped steel and GTG!
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