Stewmac Traditional Bridges For Tele

[doruondun]

Have you ever tried Stewmac's Traditional Bridges For Tele (Vintage Style)? Are they good? If yes, I'm going to purchase. I just want to use the plate only, because I've already got saddles...

Also how good are Wilkinson Adjustable Compensated Bridge for Tele or Gotoh Modern Bridge for Tele at the stewmac's store?

 

[boris bubbanov]

Have you ever tried Stewmac's Traditional Bridges For Tele (Vintage Style)? Are they good? If yes, I'm going to purchase.

Also how good are Wilkinson Adjustable Compensated Bridge for Tele or Gotoh Modern Bridge for Tele at the stewmac's store?

The modern brass Gotoh might be the "best" quality Tele bridge they offer but it doesn't lend itself to the sound I am looking for.

That Wilky they have is way too complex and expensive.

Look at the 3 traditional plates they have. All different:

(link removed)

I like and still use the #0099 - the other 2 are garbage in my opinion.

But I do not use the # 0099 saddles; instead I switch the # 5167s on there instead.

I used to buy a ton from Stew Mac. I do not anymore, and the reason is their catalog, while it has some excellent parts, also has way too much junk I cannot recommend. I am concerned that an uninitiated buyer will pick things at random and be sorely disappointed. I like a vendor with all or almost all really primo stuff. Bill Callaham for example, if your items must travel so far you may as well get really sweet parts.

 

[chillman]

I use the #0099 with the stock saddles. I feel that the steel saddles add just a little twang that my overwound hot classic pickups take out, leaving me with the best of both worlds. I'm very happy with it and it fit perfectly on a genuine USA Fender body too.

 

[jrich99]

I can't figure out why anyone would pay that price for the Wilkinson. About a month ago, I picked up a brand new liscensed version for about 20 or 25 bucks after shipping.

 

[yegbert]

I can't figure out why anyone would pay that price for the Wilkinson. About a month ago, I picked up a brand new liscensed version for about 20 or 25 bucks after shipping.

StewMac sells the one made by Gotoh that has saddles with adjustable compensation, not the one made by Sung-Il with fixed compensation. The street prices are higher on the Gotoh bridge than the Sung-Il.

 

[Groberts]

I have a Wilkinson Bridge with compensated brass saddles I picked up used for $20. It is the one made by Sung IL. I currently have Allparts Brass compensated barrel saddles on my current CLassic Vibe Tele bridge. It sounds fine to me

Would it make a notable difference swapping the classic vibe bridge out and using the Wilkinson instead? I haven't done it because if it aint broke, don't fix it. I have Fender CS Nocaster PU's in my classic vibe custom.

 

[appar111]

The modern brass Gotoh might be the "best" quality Tele bridge they offer but it doesn't lend itself to the sound I am looking for.

That Wilky they have is way too complex and expensive.

Look at the 3 traditional plates they have. All different:

(link removed)

I like and still use the #0099 - the other 2 are garbage in my opinion.

But I do not use the # 0099 saddles; instead I switch the # 5167s on there instead.

How is the 0099 plate any different than the 4583? Why is the 4583 garbage, but the 0099 isn't? I'm actually thinking about an 0099 bridge with the threaded saddles since I do lots of bending and figured the threaded saddles would grip the strings better at the bridge.

 

[Groberts]

How is the 0099 plate any different than the 4583? Why is the 4583 garbage, but the 0099 isn't? I'm actually thinking about an 0099 bridge with the threaded saddles since I do lots of bending and figured the threaded saddles would grip the strings better at the bridge.

I also had the same question, so I went to the spec's tab on the stewmac page. Aside from size differences, the 0099 is heavier by a bit. Maybe that helps transfer more energy or helps sustain?

4583 3.664 oz. (103.874 grams)

0099 4.184 oz. (118.616 grams)

 

[boris bubbanov]

How is the 0099 plate any different than the 4583? Why is the 4583 garbage, but the 0099 isn't? I'm actually thinking about an 0099 bridge with the threaded saddles since I do lots of bending and figured the threaded saddles would grip the strings better at the bridge.

Just inspect the two parts side by side and you'll see what I mean. I ordered the 4583 and Stew Mac took them back and covered the shipping. Certainly would've been convenient had they been nice but they could not have been cheaper.

+++

On the stock threaded chromed saddles that come with the # 0099, I must hasten to add that they are not steel. I ground a few down on one corner to use on a couple 51s that set up low, and found bronze (casting) metal. They don't sound too bad really but they're not steel. I think they sound better than a stock Highway One (not Texas Tele) saddle, for example, so not all casting metals are the same.

 

[appar111]

Just inspect the two parts side by side and you'll see what I mean. I ordered the 4583 and Stew Mac took them back and covered the shipping. Certainly would've been convenient had they been nice but they could not have been cheaper.

+++

On the stock threaded chromed saddles that come with the # 0099, I must hasten to add that they are not steel. I ground a few down on one corner to use on a couple 51s that set up low, and found bronze (casting) metal. They don't sound too bad really but they're not steel. I think they sound better than a stock Highway One (not Texas Tele) saddle, for example, so not all casting metals are the same.

They look the same in the pics to me-- but as another poster noticed, the weight is different, with the 0099 being slightly heavier.

I didn't think those saddles were steel-- looked like chromed brass or something. Where can one find legitimate threaded steel saddles (either nickel plated, or just raw steel?)

 

[yegbert]

They look the same in the pics to me-- but as another poster noticed, the weight is different, with the 0099 being slightly heavier.

I didn't think those saddles were steel-- looked like chromed brass or something. Where can one find legitimate threaded steel saddles (either nickel plated, or just raw steel?)

Darren Riley's or Angela Instruments' ebay store.

 

[RodeoTex]

I bought that 0090 saddle and it truly was a piece of junk. I lined it up perfectly and mounted it, strung it, and viola, the strings under tension all pulled to the side. I had to put a spacer between the high E saddle and the sidewall of the plate.

 

[doruondun]

Actually 4583 and 0099's dimensions are significantly different, if you check out the "Specs" link, you will see... Few months ago I've bought a Genuine Vintage style Fender tele bridge and it fits perfectly to my Yamaha Mike Stern sign. guitar...

So do you think that 0099 will fit on my guitar too? I'll only use it's plate, because I've already got the RS Guitarworks' 3 compensated brass saddles...

 

[GabrielK]

The modern brass Gotoh might be the "best" quality Tele bridge they offer but it doesn't lend itself to the sound I am looking for.

That Wilky they have is way too complex and expensive.

Look at the 3 traditional plates they have. All different:

(link removed)

I like and still use the #0099 - the other 2 are garbage in my opinion.

But I do not use the # 0099 saddles; instead I switch the # 5167s on there instead.

I used to buy a ton from Stew Mac. I do not anymore, and the reason is their catalog, while it has some excellent parts, also has way too much junk I cannot recommend. I am concerned that an uninitiated buyer will pick things at random and be sorely disappointed. I like a vendor with all or almost all really primo stuff. Bill Callaham for example, if your items must travel so far you may as well get really sweet parts.

Boris, how the #0099 plate with the # 5167 compensated saddles in terms of intonation? what is the best way to install it and set it up to make the best out of it? one is coming on my way following your advice!

Thanks!!

 

[paratus]

The modern brass Gotoh might be the "best" quality Tele bridge they offer but it doesn't lend itself to the sound I am looking for.

+1, the Gotoh is a very nice bridge, I think it adds a bit of sustain and maybe tames the high end a bit, I think some twang is lost in the process.

 

[Bartholomew3]

+1, the Gotoh is a very nice bridge, I think it adds a bit of sustain and maybe tames the high end a bit, I think some twang is lost in the process.

That Gotoh bridge is identical to a "badass" brass 6 saddle tele bridge that I have from the early seventies - which I installed exactly for those reasons.

Plus intonation is way better without the need to search for other aftermarket parts --- plus they won't rip your right hand so no need to find, change, file or cut saddle screws.