51 Tele Bass Build

[Blackswan777]

I'm nearing the completion of a 51 Tele Bass build and this being my first bass build, I've seemed to run into something that I wonder if anyone else has encountered. I'm using an All Parts Body (P/N) #TBBAO. I installed a vintage two saddle bridge on this body and found that although the distance from the nut to the 12th fret is 17", from the 12th fret to the saddle is something like 17 3/4". Thats with the saddle almost all the way forward. I might just make it if I adjust the saddle all the way forward to the very edge of the bridge plate. In my thinking I'm wondering if All Parts drills those holes for a modern bass bridge. Has anyone encountered this?

 

[Matt Liebenau]

I don’t know what bridge Allparts intends that body for, you could email them and ask. I can say that when I’m laying out to mount a bridge I extend the saddles about 90% of the way they’ll go towards the neck and make the line where the string will break across the saddle the scale length line.

 

[bassdude51]

I measured my real deal 1953 P Bass from the inside of the nut to the inside of the metal where the 2 saddle screws are and it is 34 and 15/16 of an inch.

On my 1967 P body with a 1962 neck, the distance is 35".

On my 2, MIM P Basses, the distance is 35 1/4".

Hope that this helps.

 

[2saddleslab]

I've seen a few 51 builds where the saddles are all the way forward. I'll measure my original 51 body but bet it's very close to what was provided by @bassdude51. My 2 Warmoth builds have the bridge plate slightly closer to the end of the body in comparison but not so far the saddles are extended all the way toward the neck.

 

[Blackswan777]

I measured my real deal 1953 P Bass from the inside of the nut to the inside of the metal where the 2 saddle screws are and it is 34 and 15/16 of an inch.

On my 1967 P body with a 1962 neck, the distance is 35".

On my 2, MIM P Basses, the distance is 35 1/4".

Hope that this helps.

Thank you very much,

That's some good data. I went and measured mine in the manner you described, and it measures 35 3/8". It's looking like my saddles will come right to the edge. I've ordered some 1 1/2" saddle screws (6-32 x 1 1/2"). If I can get the D, G intonated I should be fine. It's going to be close.

 

[Blackswan777]

I've seen a few 51 builds where the saddles are all the way forward. I'll measure my original 51 body but bet it's very close to what was provided by @bassdude51. My 2 Warmoth builds have the bridge plate slightly closer to the end of the body in comparison but not so far the saddles are extended all the way toward the neck.
View attachment 7324462
View attachment 7324463

These three are really nice!! Yes sir, its looking like mine will be in that same category