Silvertone 1449/1457 rebuild

[dkevin]

I have acquired a 1449 Silvertone guitar as a project. As of now, it is only the neck and the body...no electronics, no hardware, etc. I am looking for an adjustable bridge to use in place of the notched solid plate with rosewood shim original bridge. The Jeff Senn bridge is nice but nearly $100. I have researched a Wilkenson WTBS which is a short bridge normally used for Telecaster guitars which have a humbucker in the bridge position. It appears as though it might work but I would appreciate some advice as to whether I am barking up the wrong tree. I am a bit frustrated as the simple original bridge design would suit me just fine if I could get it at a reasonable cost. I found two worn out examples on Ebay for $160+. That is not reasonable! The WTBS sells for $21 shipped. Let me know if you are aware of other possibilities for this guitar.

 

[Chandlerman]

Danguitars might have the part you want. No affiliation.

(link removed)

 

[dkevin]

I have emailed them about the expected re-stock date...I don't know where all the aftermarket parts went but they are gone. I have bought new, 3rd party original bridges for $30 or so in the past. As I mentioned, the only ones I now see on Ebay are worn out, rusty and hyper-expensive.

 

[Jowes_84]

Hi
They re-issued those guitars and used adjustable, compensated bridges on the re-issues like the ones in the link above from Chandlerman. I would use those.

Here the re-issues

https://www.chicagomusicexchange.com/products/silvertone-1449-black-silver-flake-16654

I own a pretty messed up 1448 amp in case and an -ok but not great- matching 1448 guitar - considered this myself but not worth investing more up until now. My guitar's neck has way too much relief and there is no truss rod, my amp in case has fallen apart ...

But hey, I love those old Silvertones - and you cannot get the originals on the other side of the big pond.

Have fun.

Cheers

 

[Oldsmobum]

Have you thought about trying to make something?

is it me or is the original suspended over the body?

 

[Jowes_84]

OP - this link below is what I was looking for earlier in my post above but could not find it - I used this guide in 2016 to refurbish my 1448 - install Kluson tuners and install new (old wood) bridge, set up, etc... the 1449 should be very, very similar except for the added bridge PU

http://www.portlandcustomshop.com/s...ur-vintage-danelectro-or-silvertone-new-life/

 

[dkevin]

Thank you for all the responses! My first choice would be to use an original design bridge. Yes, it floats above the guitar body on the heads of the 2 wood screws while a 3rd wood screw raises or lowers the back of the bridge. Yes, it's crude but I would be happy to find a repro at a reasonable price. The Senn bridge looks great and probably performs the best but at 2-3X the cost of the repro. The Danelectro reissue bridge might be the ticket if I could just find one and confirm the price. At this point I am not a stickler to return this guitar to stock. It comes to me as a husk with no electronics or hardware. Obviously, I will have to rewire it and install aftermarket pickups along with all the hardware. The one thing that worries me about installing a new design bridge is the required height of the saddles. If the different design bridge sits flush to the body, are the saddles capable of lifting the strings to the height required to clear the fretboard? I have time (not in a particular hurry) and will continue to hope the repro original design bridges get restocked...somewhere. Meanwhile, I will scratch my head and wonder, "Will that one fit???

 

[BradKM]

I used CJ Tooling bridges when I did a couple of rebuilds a few years ago, but it looks like they're no longer around. Allparts has the rosewood saddles for $10, but no plates. It's a pretty simple design. If you can get your hands on the dimensions, a local tool shop or 3D printer may be an option.

 

[dkevin]

I have been thinking along the same lines...how hard could it be to make a plate and have it machined and drilled? Watch, I'll get quotes and they will cost $100 ea....just my luck...

 

[Dan German]

I have to say, if it were me, I’d either wait on Danguitars or buy the Jeff Senn. The Wilkinson is a good bridge, I use one on a hardtail Strat, but is it worth the money you save to fool around with finding a way to mount it properly on a Silvertone?