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New bridge for Telecaster bass

M

Musicbiz60

May 27, 2009
135
3
#1
Just got a new Squier Telecaster bass (single coil), medium scale (32inch) model. At $299 I think it's just great. BUT, the bridge is like a '51 model with only two adjusting screws, not four individual ones.

I'd like to replace the vintage bridge with another one, but the current bridge has four screws (one in each corner) rather than the 5-screw bridges I'm used to seeing. I'd prefer not to drill new holes. Anyone have a suggestion for a replacement?

Many thanks.
 
#3
Musicbiz60,

You could try Fender Part # 005-8396-000. This is marketed as a four saddle replacement for Telecaster-style two saddle bridges.

One other option is to see how well any of the holes line up on a regular 5-hole type bridge and then just drill pilots for the remaining holes.

Best of luck!

Bob
 
#8
I've got a Dillion 54 P copy, it had the two saddle bridge when I got it and I wanted better intonation.

I ended up changing the bridge out for an AVRI style threaded saddle bridge with 4 saddles.

The holes didn't line up, and I ended up filling the original holes with dowels, but the bridge cover completely hides and evidence of the switch.

It's not that hard to drill for a bridge. Just measure more than you drill.
 
#9
personally i like the bridge on the new tele basses. I have purchased the single coil version for parts to be used on a tele thinline project in progress. My plan is to pirate the neck/tuners, pickup & bridge. (love the 32" maple neck). I have a new 34" loaded Pbass neck, cheap pu also new & new bronco bass bridge to use as replacements for resale. That bridge just seems to be suited to the theme of the bass.
Here is an old Wilkinson version:

http://northland.smugmug.com/Music/Tele-Basses/i-gDKp8LC/0/O/ju2DSC03580.jpg

You might be able to redrill a 4 pole bridge plate to fit the existing holes by using your present bridge as a pattern.. That way you have extra holes in the bridge & not in the body. I don`t think you need to be concerned with diminishing the value of the instrument. At $300 they will sell very well & likely never acheive a collectors status. Use & enjoy it for what it is.


Take care. Bob
 
#10
C.Linton said:
That won't work. His current bridge only has two holes for the saddle (intonation/length) screws. He needs/wants a bridge with four holes for four saddles.
Click to expand...

Yes, I think it will if he looks for the right aftermarket option. There are saddles with offsets for each string. 2 pieces, but 2 saddle positions per piece. There are only 2 adjustment screws, but the intonation will be at least as close as the old Gibson bar bridges. I've been surfing looking for a photo but I'm having trouble finding one - my computer is acting up.

Take a look at the Wilkinson bridge in Bob Spencer's post - that's the idea. It's called the swivel bass bridge, and there's a link here: http://www.allparts.com/Wilkinson-Bass-Bridge-p/BB-3355-001.htm . But I swear that somewhere I saw saddles that would fit a 2-screw Fender bridge.

And in many cases, it really doesn't matter that much. I have yet to meet a two-saddle bridge that I can't intonate close enough to make it play nicely in performance. If people can't hear the difference, my opinion is that the intonation is close enough.

It works great with this 2-saddle Bronco bridge:

PB070031.jpg


And intonation is fine with this 1964 Gibson EB-0 bar bridge:

PB070018.jpg


IMO many people spend a lot of time fussing with fine tuning intonation when they should just concentrate on how the bass sounds in performance...and spend their time practicing instead of fiddling.

If you noticed, the OP doesn't identify any problem with the bridge - he's just making the assumption that he should have individual saddles. I think he should first identify an actual problem, because there may not be one.
 
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#11
Many thanks to all who responded to my question about a new Tele bridge. Great food for thought. I'll probably keep the existing bridge to see how it performs before I go to the time and expense to replace it.

By the way, I did replace the 1-ply guard for a b/w/b one. I just thought it would look better. When the new guard arrives I'll post a picture.

Thanks again.
 
#14
Musicbiz60 said:
Many thanks to all who responded to my question about a new Tele bridge. Great food for thought. I'll probably keep the existing bridge to see how it performs before I go to the time and expense to replace it.

By the way, I did replace the 1-ply guard for a b/w/b one. I just thought it would look better. When the new guard arrives I'll post a picture.

Thanks again.
Click to expand...

Wow really? IMO 3 ply guards look wrong on a 51.

... also I have no troubles with the 51 bridge. Intonation seems fine. At least no one's complained about my tuning in years of gigging. :hiding:

I vote rock it out as is! :bassist:
 
#15
Single ply is period correct. I don't like to see a replica of a famous bass - reissue or not - look too far outta whack from the original design - but that's me.

The single ply PG even has 90° edges, not cut at an angle, and that's the way it should be to me and prolly a lot of other people too.

It is however, your bass and you are free to do what you want.

I'm not preaching to you - but why would you want a replica bass like that just the modernize it? :hmm:

I just finished building this new one, a replica with some 'changes' to it from the original design, but I stuck with the single-ply::

100_1705.jpg


100_1706.jpg
 
#18
Pilgrim said:
Yes, I think it will if he looks for the right aftermarket option. There are saddles with offsets for each string. 2 pieces, but 2 saddle positions per piece. There are only 2 adjustment screws, but the intonation will be at least as close as the old Gibson bar bridges. I've been surfing looking for a photo but I'm having trouble finding one - my computer is acting up.

Take a look at the Wilkinson bridge in Bob Spencer's post - that's the idea. It's called the swivel bass bridge, and there's a link here: http://www.allparts.com/Wilkinson-Bass-Bridge-p/BB-3355-001.htm . But I swear that somewhere I saw saddles that would fit a 2-screw Fender bridge.

And in many cases, it really doesn't matter that much. I have yet to meet a two-saddle bridge that I can't intonate close enough to make it play nicely in performance. If people can't hear the difference, my opinion is that the intonation is close enough.

It works great with this 2-saddle Bronco bridge:

View attachment 2007965

And intonation is fine with this 1964 Gibson EB-0 bar bridge:

View attachment 2007966

IMO many people spend a lot of time fussing with fine tuning intonation when they should just concentrate on how the bass sounds in performance...and spend their time practicing instead of fiddling.

If you noticed, the OP doesn't identify any problem with the bridge - he's just making the assumption that he should have individual saddles. I think he should first identify an actual problem, because there may not be one.
Click to expand...
But if you can't intonate properly, the sound sucks in performance. If you're not in-tune, a person should really just unplug the cable, and save everyone's sanity.
 
#19
I have a Squier Tele bass. You can't use a regular Fender aftermarket replacement bridge because the string spacing is wider on the replacement. The stock bridge is narrower and the stock single-coil pickup has a narrower pole spacing than the vintage single coil pickup. I used a bridge from ebay, great tone and sustain, but I think it is sold out. Try a Mustang bridge?
 
#20
Zach77 said:
But if you can't intonate properly, the sound sucks in performance. If you're not in-tune, a person should really just unplug the cable, and save everyone's sanity.
Click to expand...
You ignored the sense of what I wrote. People sometimes obsess over intonation when it's fine, especially within the mix of a band. I stated - and still assert - that many of the very simple bridges provide good enough intonation that the instrument sounds great.

And there's a very superior and dismissive air to your last comment. I suggest instead that if you're not in tune, just tune it better and keep playing.
 
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