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Post subject: Bridge opinions
Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2011 12:09 pm
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Hi all,
I'm new to this particular forum, so hopefully I put this in the right area. Anyway, long story short I have a Strat knockoff that I am essentially converting to a custom Strat. Don't worry, I'm not passing it off for a Strat or even a Fender, and I don't plan on selling it anyway. It's just a guitar to tinker with, and the headstock will be blank. Everything is getting replaced except the body and the neck, from the paint to the pickups and all the hardware. I plan on using all Fender parts to do the project, since I know and trust their quality over some unknown manufacturer.

The stock bridge was a 6-screw tremolo setup. My question is, should I opt to replace it with a Standard American Strat trem bridge with the pivot pins, or use a '62 Reissue and keep to the 6-screw format? Both get good reviews from what I've seen, but I wanted to know if there was anything I should watch out for with either one - tuning issues, etc. Thanks.


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Post subject: Re: Bridge opinions
Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2011 7:16 pm
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wishUwerehere wrote:
Hi all,
I'm new to this particular forum, so hopefully I put this in the right area. Anyway, long story short I have a Strat knockoff that I am essentially converting to a custom Strat. Don't worry, I'm not passing it off for a Strat or even a Fender, and I don't plan on selling it anyway. It's just a guitar to tinker with, and the headstock will be blank. Everything is getting replaced except the body and the neck, from the paint to the pickups and all the hardware. I plan on using all Fender parts to do the project, since I know and trust their quality over some unknown manufacturer.

The stock bridge was a 6-screw tremolo setup. My question is, should I opt to replace it with a Standard American Strat trem bridge with the pivot pins, or use a '62 Reissue and keep to the 6-screw format? Both get good reviews from what I've seen, but I wanted to know if there was anything I should watch out for with either one - tuning issues, etc. Thanks.


Welcome.

As I'm sure you've probably read here and elsewhere, the pros and cons of either go back and forth. In my experience, I've used both units extensively and frankly, both work equally well for me. I honestly don't favor one over the other. If it were me, since you already have the 6 screw version and the screw holes are already there for it, I'd use that.

As always, this is merely IMO where YMMV.

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Post subject: Re: Bridge opinions
Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2011 9:21 pm
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Thanks for the input. I figured they were about even overall, just wondering if anyone knew of any glaring issues or bad experiences that could be a deal breaker. I'll probably stick to the 6-hole configuration for simplicity's sake.

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Post subject: Re: Bridge opinions
Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2011 10:17 pm
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Martian wrote:
If it were me, since you already have the 6 screw version and the screw holes are already there for it, I'd use that.


+1

Be sure to ascertain that the body will accommodate the (probably) larger trem block of the Fender bridge. Some of those knock-off import bodies have a pretty small hole routed for the block and you'll need adequate clearance for movement if you intend to actually use the trem.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Bridge opinions
Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2011 8:05 pm
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Okay, so it's been awhile since I touched this forum, but I have another question about those vintage Fender trem bridges. Does anyone know the string spacing on the '62 reissues? I haven't been able to find any technical specs on them. What I mean by string spacing (if anyone is confused) is the distance between the channels on the outermost string saddles. Usually it's 2" and some change (1/16, 1/8, 3/16, etc.). Just looking to see if anyone knows/has one and could measure it, as I'm trying to match the original bridge as closely as possible with regards to string positions.

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Post subject: Re: Bridge opinions
Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2011 8:22 pm
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The string spacing for a vintage-spec Fender trem bridge (ie: a bridge that will fit any Fender Stratocaster from 1954 through 1981) is 2 7/32". The modern "vintage-style" bridge used on MIM Standard Strats and now a few MIA models has 2 1/16" string spacing.

HTH

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Bridge opinions
Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 1:14 pm
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It would be the second one, as it will be an "aftermarket" bridge upgrade ('62 Reissue). That would be what I need to know. Thanks.

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