Modern to vintage bridge swap?

[Edsel Presley]

I'm toying with the idea of eventually swapping my bridge to a vintage style. I've been looking over pictures and I think I've found a potential problem. First, it's good to know that my bridge, and possibly body, is not Fender. I'm not sure. Now, the problem I see is that the through-holes on my bridge are right under the saddles, while the holes on vintage seem to be farther towards the rear of the bridge. Is this the case? Pic is of my bridge.

 

[dobrojoe]

Yes, you do have a problem there. There are two main types of 'vintage' bridge. The original three straight brass bridges (with their various compensated alternatives) and the more modern non-ashtray type with three screws instead of four. None of these will be a straightforward swap for you. You will probably have to plug and re-drill. From your photo, it looks like your bridge is longer than the Fender one. I would be inclined to stick with it. Problems with a 'vintage' Telecaster bridge - intonation is a com[promise, even a 'compensated' bridge will not work across different string gauges. The more annoying factor is that when you bend strings on a vintage Fender three saddle arrangement, they move sideways and put the guitar out of tune. I have changed away from the stock Fender saddles to a brand beginning with 'G' which offers compensated saddles with a notch to stop the strings moving sideways. The intonation is still not as good as you will get with your individual saddle bridge as the compensation only works in fixed steps. Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater!

 

[ScottJPatrick]

If you go to a vintage bridge from the one you have the original screw holes will be exposed and the break angle over the saddles will be about 90*. Look around and measure everything, non original vintage style tele bridges are variable in length, ferrule spacing (front to back) and even pickup route placement.

 

[ScottJPatrick]

 

[ebb soul]

Due to ferrulle holes, fake vintage is likely the best you could do.
You have a great bridge now, just like Keefs'.