Debating upgrading AmStd bent steel bridge to either AmPro or Callahams, please help me decide!

[jonyorker]

Hi Folks,

I love my 2015 AmStd tele, but I do wish it had a the brass saddles. If only for the vintage vibes as I've never found 6 bent saddles to be aesthetically correct despite the intonation advantages.

I noticed that I can buy the official Fender AmPro bridge with the 3 compensated brass saddles, but it has 4 screws instead of 3 (which will require me drilling a hole, well within my technical capabilities) or going with the Callaham vintage version.

In your opinion, which version is the "superior" upgrade? Both are 3 brass compensated saddles. Callaham is a no fuss drop in, fender requires a hole but comes with a cover.

Please help me come to a decision!

Fender Part
Callaham Part

 

[Swirling Snow]

Goin' though a similar thing with my Strat... it's really hard to argue with Callaham.

 

[Feck Studios]

If they both suit your purpose then I'd definitely say the one where you don't have to drill.

 

[Minivan Megafun]

I did the same upgrade (update) to my American Standard when I had one. I went with the AmPro bridge. It was basically drop in except for drilling the screw holes (which was easy and since the outer two screws match there's no alignment issues). I think I liked the tone better with the AmPro bridge. I kept it on there anyway.

I think the AmPro accomplishes exactly what the Callaham does but is cheaper. Callaham are great parts, but the AmPro just looks really nice on there with the engraved Fender logo.

 

[Boreas]

Fender. I like and use covers. Drilling a hole is no big deal.

 

[telemnemonics]

As far as I know, trying to install the four screw three saddle ash tray on the three screw modern bridge body, the body is not only drilled wrong for the mounting screws which means filling three holes and drilling four holes.
The body also has string through holes in a different place.
Meaning filling the back ferrules etc etc.

If the Callaham is made to put a three saddle bridge on a modern six saddle body, that is what you want.

 

[dankilling]

I’m in the Callaham camp. Don’t drill if you don’t have to

 

[slauson slim]

Kluson. Drop in, no drilling.

https://www.kluson.com/kluson-hybri...eel-with-intonated-brass-saddles-details.html

 

[jonyorker]

Thanks for all your input! I didn't know about the Kluson one as well.

Tonally, (and I know this is a mixed bag) Do we have any idea of the tone diff between the Callaham vs Fender?

 

[schoech1]

I installed a 3 saddle bridge from Callaham for my tele deluxe. They are very nice (around 100). I have an AMPRO with a stock 3 saddle bridge. This is no difference in playability or tone between the two that I can tell. I wouldn't want to drill the extra hole though, but that's me.

 

[Minivan Megafun]

Here I found the thread I made about the install when I did mine:
https://www.tdpri.com/threads/installing-an-american-pro-bridge-on-an-american-standard.1059283/

 

[bluzkat]

Check this bridge… https://ruttersguitars.com/rutters-bridge

A bit more money but Marc makes really nice parts.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

I have Callaham hardware on one of my parts Strats and love it, if that helps. Always stays in tune, and the guitar, which is all premium parts, sounds great.

 

[cousinpaul]

Rutters modern bridge

 

[fenderchamp]

Just let the American standard be itself. Putting the "vintagesque" looking modern bridge on there is an even bigger eyesore than the modern bridge.

You can buy a conversion bridge for Callaham or Glendale, maybe even from rutter's too though.

 

[bluezguy]

Dun 'em all over the past 25 years ... settled on Glendales for 3 of the 4 AmStd Teleez. No drilling ... just pick vintage or AmStd (3 or 4 hole).

 

[boris bubbanov]

As far as I know, trying to install the four screw three saddle ash tray on the three screw modern bridge body, the body is not only drilled wrong for the mounting screws which means filling three holes and drilling four holes.
The body also has string through holes in a different place.
Meaning filling the back ferrules etc etc.

If the Callaham is made to put a three saddle bridge on a modern six saddle body, that is what you want.

My approach (on Squiers) was to keep the old ferrules in place and fill and re-drill the through holes directionally.

But I think the whole plan is flawed. The American Std. family are modern guitars, meant to be played the way the younger set likes to play. They're not getting under the string and popping it. The setup is different, but more than that. The neck sits down in the pocket and the saddles are just about slammed to the face of the bridgeplate. Just a different thing, than the brass saddle thing.

 

[teleNtweed]

I have tried most of the 3 hole possibilities and found the Glendale double cut gives as much as that traditional ash tray sound/twang/jangle as I think is possible on the 3 hole. The others that I have tried (Barden, Callaham, ect.) didn't do it for me, I preferred the original Am Std. to those options. All just depends on what you are after.

 

[Tom Grattan]

Callaham. IMO better than the Fender.

 

[Ricky D.]

Did what you are doing with asquier Standard Tele about ten years ago. The Callaham bridge was beautifully made and dropped right on, however it had a very strong mid-bright emphasis. I hated the sound. I put the OEM bridge back on and have been happy ever since.

I don’t count the saddles while I play.