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Post subject: Affinity Tele mod...anyone try this?
Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 4:59 am
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Hey Ya'll
Without going into too many details, I bought an Affinity Tele this past week (nice instrument for the money) to go along with the country/southern rock band I've recently been asked to join. Personally I'm an old Strat guy myself (currently have 10 of various lineage) so despite having played for 30 years, this whole Tele thing is rather new to me. I -can- get the sounds I'm after outta my Strats but the Tele I guess is part of the "image" and mindset...since I'm not terribly crazy about country, if nothing else it helps me get in the right frame of mind to practice.

Anyways, I know that most Tele's are usually strung up thru ferrels in the back of the body and the strings come thru the body and the bridge for that fat Tele sustain. The Affinity of course doesn't...strings are anchored to the end of the bridge. Also because it's an Affinity, the bridge size is a bit off and slightly different from most Tele's (I had a spare here left over from an unfinished project to measure and compare with), so I can't (easily) just swap out bridges either. I'm already planning on replacing the bridge saddles at the first string change and I'm toying with maybe a decent set of pickups...although these are surprisingly decent for what they are. This bridge issue is bother me though...

Sooooo....has anyone ever drilled out their Affinity Tele's bridge (and body) for string thru and if so, what were your results? I have plenty of tool and guitar mod experience and I know what's involved...just want to know if it made any substantial difference in tone or sustain.

Thanks!


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Post subject: Re: Affinity Tele mod...anyone try this?
Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 7:03 am
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Oh...being as I'm familiar with these forums (lol), let me reiterate; -substantial- difference in sound. No offense to anyone but if you're honestly one of those folks who thinks they can hear the difference with the trem cover of a Strat on/off...I'm not -that- particular. Just want to see if I can squeeze a bit more tone and sustain from this Affinity and if it's worth the effort....


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Post subject: Re: Affinity Tele mod...anyone try this?
Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 9:00 pm
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Wilkinson makes a vintgage compensated 3 Barrel Brass Saddle bridge that is convertable ie; it can be string thru or top loading and they come in 2 different string spacings or bridge width's. I have one and like it alot for the sustain of the brass saddles. the measurements are usually in millimeters so thats how you need to measure your axe to get the right one. you can change the bridge first then make the string thru mod later. I suggest using a drill press when you drill the holes using the bridge as a guide. it is hard to drill the holes by hand and have them end up in line on the back. I used a step drill for the ferrules.


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Post subject: Re: Affinity Tele mod...anyone try this?
Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 10:43 pm
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My Squier Affinity "Esquire":

Image

Image

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Used a Squier Standard Tele bridge, hand drilled just like Leo did. 8)

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Post subject: Re: Affinity Tele mod...anyone try this?
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 10:45 am
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Yes...I know to use a drill press :-) I have 2 in my garage and access to a nice industrial drill press at the Fab Lab where I attend college.

I had looked at the Wilkinson bridges as well as a few other brands as well but the problem is they look like they're designed for the more traditional style bridge...in otherwords, from what I've seen on the internet so far, it looks like I'd be putting a lot of extra holes in the body in order to mount it and I'd really rather avoid that if possible since it's a brand new instrument (instead of one of my old, used, beater Strats). If I could find one that was a direct replacement as far as mounting holes go...but unfortunately ya don't always find stuff like that for Affinities. For right now I am going to replace the saddles with a spare set of stamped Fender Strat saddles (at the first string change...I have a spare set of Mexicans that seem to have the same spacing) and was thinkin' that -if- I do this drilling, I may do it at the same time. On the other hand, I'm also wondering if I should just hold off until I can actually get together with this new band I'm in...see if it's even necessary.


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Post subject: Re: Affinity Tele mod...anyone try this?
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 10:48 am
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Bill...no offense bro but looking at the ferrules, it looks like it. Regardless of how Leo did it (even Leo committed to machinery for production), I think I'd rather go for a more professional looking end result :-)


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Post subject: Re: Affinity Tele mod...anyone try this?
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 11:58 am
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lomitus wrote:
Bill...no offense bro but looking at the ferrules, it looks like it. Regardless of how Leo did it (even Leo committed to machinery for production), I think I'd rather go for a more professional looking end result :-)


I don't really care. The backside of the guitar is not where you should be focusing your attention. :wink:

In any case, I suggest you buy or go to the library and take a look at "The Blackguard Book"

http://www.theblackguardbook.com/

You'll find lots of photos illustrating just how crappy Fender's construction techniques were back in the early 50's. Out of alignment string ferrules is nothing. :lol: :lol: :lol:

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Post subject: Re: Affinity Tele mod...anyone try this?
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 12:01 pm
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lomitus wrote:
If I could find one that was a direct replacement as far as mounting holes go...but unfortunately ya don't always find stuff like that for Affinities.


The Squier Standard Telecaster bridge that I used is a direct replacement for the Affinity Tele bridge. All you have to do is drill the holes for the strings. :wink:

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Post subject: Re: Affinity Tele mod...anyone try this?
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 1:07 pm
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"The backside of the guitar is not where you should be focusing your attention."

Frontside, backside, inside, outside...if I can do a good job, I'd rather take the pride in my work. This is just me, but I appreciate good workmanship. When I take the pickguard off my '85 MIJ Strat and I look at that really outstanding Japanese workmanship from back in those days (sorry folks, the Japs got it right there!) I can't help but appreciate it over the work I see on MIM's and even MIA's today. Any slub with a router can butcher a guitar body, but real quality is reflective of good craftsmanship.

"In any case, I suggest you buy or go to the library and take a look at "The Blackguard Book"

http://www.theblackguardbook.com/"

You'll find lots of photos illustrating just how crappy Fender's construction techniques were back in the early 50's. Out of alignment string ferrules is nothing."

Ah...since they did a $@!&#* job of it back 50 years ago when they were first figuring things out, that means we should too? Nahhh... The truth is that isn't just limited to the 50's...Fender's had their problems here and there all along. Indeed those SS Fender amps back in the 70's had a well earned reputation for catching fire on the show room floor (gotta love the CBS era) and honestly, the neck pocket on my '96 MIM is just a bit out...always has been. Does that mean that if I were building/cutting one (which I've done) that I wouldn't -try- and do my best work?

Sorry and no offense but I take a great deal of pride in my craftsmanship and I never saw any point in being "sloppy" just for it's own sake, particularly when I know I can do better. Just my opinion...

(p.s. and I can't stand those "Roadworm" monstrosities! LOL!)


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Post subject: Re: Affinity Tele mod...anyone try this?
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 1:16 pm
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bluesky636 wrote:
lomitus wrote:
If I could find one that was a direct replacement as far as mounting holes go...but unfortunately ya don't always find stuff like that for Affinities.


The Squier Standard Telecaster bridge that I used is a direct replacement for the Affinity Tele bridge. All you have to do is drill the holes for the strings. :wink:



Hhmmm...looking at pics of the Squier Standards, yea, that does look like the same bridge as the Infinity...I suspect that except for the holes for the strings the plates identical. However if that's the case, that also begs the question of why replace it? I'm gonna have to drill the body either way so it's not that big a deal to drill the bridge as well. When I said a replacement that fits, I meant an upgrade...sorry, I should have been more specific.


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Post subject: Re: Affinity Tele mod...anyone try this?
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 1:21 pm
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lomitus wrote:
bluesky636 wrote:
lomitus wrote:
If I could find one that was a direct replacement as far as mounting holes go...but unfortunately ya don't always find stuff like that for Affinities.


The Squier Standard Telecaster bridge that I used is a direct replacement for the Affinity Tele bridge. All you have to do is drill the holes for the strings. :wink:



Hhmmm...looking at pics of the Squier Standards, yea, that does look like the same bridge as the Infinity...I suspect they're identical. However if that's the case, that also begs the question of why replace it? I'm gonna have to drill the body either way so it's not that big a deal to drill the bridge as well. When I said a replacement that fits, I meant an upgrade...sorry, I should have been more specific.


You don't get it. The Squier Standard Tele bridge is a string through bridge. It does not have holes for top loading the strings like the Affinity. The mounting screws all match. Drill the holes in the body for the strings and you are done.

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Post subject: Re: Affinity Tele mod...anyone try this?
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 1:27 pm
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Joined: Mon Apr 05, 2010 2:37 pm
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lomitus wrote:
"The backside of the guitar is not where you should be focusing your attention."

Frontside, backside, inside, outside...if I can do a good job, I'd rather take the pride in my work. This is just me, but I appreciate good workmanship. When I take the pickguard off my '85 MIJ Strat and I look at that really outstanding Japanese workmanship from back in those days (sorry folks, the Japs got it right there!) I can't help but appreciate it over the work I see on MIM's and even MIA's today. Any slub with a router can butcher a guitar body, but real quality is reflective of good craftsmanship.

"In any case, I suggest you buy or go to the library and take a look at "The Blackguard Book"

http://www.theblackguardbook.com/"

You'll find lots of photos illustrating just how crappy Fender's construction techniques were back in the early 50's. Out of alignment string ferrules is nothing."

Ah...since they did a $@!&#* job of it back 50 years ago when they were first figuring things out, that means we should too? Nahhh... The truth is that isn't just limited to the 50's...Fender's had their problems here and there all along. Indeed those SS Fender amps back in the 70's had a well earned reputation for catching fire on the show room floor (gotta love the CBS era) and honestly, the neck pocket on my '96 MIM is just a bit out...always has been. Does that mean that if I were building/cutting one (which I've done) that I wouldn't -try- and do my best work?

Sorry and no offense but I take a great deal of pride in my craftsmanship and I never saw any point in being "sloppy" just for it's own sake, particularly when I know I can do better. Just my opinion...

(p.s. and I can't stand those "Roadworm" monstrosities! LOL!)


You asked if anyone has converted an Affinity Tele to a string through. I showed you how I did it. Sorry that my workmanship doesn't live up to your high standards. I used the tools that I had on hand and it worked just fine. The guitar plays just as well with slightly out of line ferrules as it would if they were straight.

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Post subject: Re: Affinity Tele mod...anyone try this?
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 4:29 pm
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here is a bridge that should fit. These guys seem to have have good stuff

http://www.guitarfetish.com/Modern-Styl ... p_501.html


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Post subject: Re: Affinity Tele mod...anyone try this?
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 5:15 pm
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IdahoRed wrote:
here is a bridge that should fit. These guys seem to have have good stuff

http://www.guitarfetish.com/Modern-Styl ... p_501.html


Wrong string spacing (E to E).

The Affinity is 2 1/16" (2.0625") and that bridge is 2 1/8" (2.125"). The Affinity neck is fairly narrow and that might put the two E's too close to the edge.

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Post subject: Re: Affinity Tele mod...anyone try this?
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 5:26 pm
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They have another bridge with 10.5mm spacing that is convertable but it has the vintage 6 saddle bridge like my 72 Tele had.

http://www.guitarfetish.com/105mm-Dual- ... e_p_3.html


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