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Post subject: Replacing Bridge on Squier Tele
Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 6:54 pm
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I was just wondering if any Telecaster bridge would work on a Squier, or if only some of them would fit.
I'm buying a used lefty Squier Affinity to modify, and the first thing that I want to change is the bridge and tuners. This is the bridge that I was looking at: http://www.warmoth.com/Gotoh-Standard-T ... -P600.aspx
Also, any suggestions for tuners?


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Post subject: Re: Replacing Bridge on Squier Tele
Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 9:00 pm
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Squire Affinity Tele is a top loader bridge. To use a bridge like the Gotoh will require drilling holes in the body and installing string ferrules. Also the Gotoh bridge uses 4 mounting screws while the Affinity is only 3. Finally, the string spacing of the Gotoh is 2 1/8" but the Affinity is 2 1/16".

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Post subject: Re: Replacing Bridge on Squier Tele
Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2013 3:08 am
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I also have a Affinity and I did change the bridge on mine to a top loader Vintage style which has the classic 3 barrel saddle design which makes restringing much more easier. I don't see any need to remove the stock tuners however. They do a great job of keeping the guitar in tune. I'm waiting for my Greasebucket tone kit to come in however, which hopefully should be in today. I ordered that on Sunday from E-bay for only 6 bucks. I had also ordered a Duncan designed TE-101B pickup for the bridge which came in a couple of days ago, but I decided to keep the stock pickups because they sound great and also installing the Duncan would offset the sound of the guitar with the stock neck pickup. So if anybody is looking for a Duncan designed Tele bridge pup , get in touch with me.


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Post subject: Re: Replacing Bridge on Squier Tele
Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2013 3:59 am
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bluesky636 wrote:
To use a bridge like the Gotoh will require drilling holes in the body and installing string ferrules.

Yes - yikes!

I build guitars from raw timber, so I'm not exactly nervous about carpentry. Yet of all the tasks in electric guitar making getting those six holes spaced correctly with the various depth steps to make the ferrules sit perfectly is the one that makes sweat break out on my forehead. Without Fender's factory equipment this is a tough job to get right. And getting it wrong just looks horrible, and there's no way back if you mess up.

Shudder!


FatNWeak wrote:
I'm buying a used lefty Squier Affinity to modify, and the first thing that I want to change is the bridge and tuners. This is the bridge that I was looking at: http://www.warmoth.com/Gotoh-Standard-T ... -P600.aspx
Also, any suggestions for tuners?

Ha - I've misread the OP twice and searched for the wrong thing. D'oh - facepalm! OK then...

FatNWeak, am I right this time, you want to replace a left-handed bridge with another left-handed bridge?

In that case your choices are severely limited. Like the guys are saying, you need a top-loader, which narrows things down. And left-handed too is a real problem, unfair as that seems. My curiosity is piqued so I've been checking around - and finally found what you need:

http://www.axesrus.co.uk/Wilkinson-Comp ... wtb-lh.htm

That seller is here in the UK where I live. That bridge must be available in North America too, but I've searched hard and not found it. Happy hunting!

If you can't find it your side of the Atlantic, that seller is nice and trustworthy and says he ships to Canada. And on the plus side, for some reason his price is significantly lower than the equivalent right-handed model in the US (£20 is 32 Canadian dollars), so that will help off-set international postage. And it's an affordable bridge to begin with, so...

Advantages and disadvantages with this bridge. It is a vintage model, which many people favour. And it has Trev Wilkinson's compensated saddles in a left-handed set, which I've never seen as a stand alone aftermarket part, so that's worth grabbing. I have a set myself: they don't give completely perfect intonation, but much better than traditional barrel style Tele saddles. A good upgrade.

Disadvantages: the mounting holes are sure to be in the wrong place. Nothing you can do about that, it's just what tends to happen when you replace parts on Squiers. Obviously, Fender would prefer you bought an upgraded guitar from them than do it yourself.

Just take plenty of care when you drill the new mounting holes to get them in the right place, side-to-side, and along the scale length. Measure twice (or thrice or...), cut once.

Good luck - C

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Post subject: Re: Replacing Bridge on Squier Tele
Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2013 3:53 pm
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Ceri wrote:
bluesky636 wrote:
To use a bridge like the Gotoh will require drilling holes in the body and installing string ferrules.

Yes - yikes!

I build guitars from raw timber, so I'm not exactly nervous about carpentry. Yet of all the tasks in electric guitar making getting those six holes spaced correctly with the various depth steps to make the ferrules sit perfectly is the one that makes sweat break out on my forehead. Without Fender's factory equipment this is a tough job to get right. And getting it wrong just looks horrible, and there's no way back if you mess up.

Shudder!


Hey Ceri!

Are you implying that my hole spacing looks horrible? Don't worry. Several people already have. Doesn't bother me a bit. I used the string thru bridge as a template and a hand drill to make the holes. I installed the ferrules with a hammer. YMMV. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

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Post subject: Re: Replacing Bridge on Squier Tele
Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2013 4:14 pm
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bluesky636 wrote:
Hey Ceri!

Are you implying that my hole spacing looks horrible? Don't worry. Several people already have. Doesn't bother me a bit. I used the string thru bridge as a template and a hand drill to make the holes. I installed the ferrules with a hammer. YMMV. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Ha - gosh, I truly wasn't, no! :D

It didn't occur to me that was your own work. You can do the next one that comes my way, if you wouldn't mind. That particular job puts the wind up me.

Though the hammer technique sounds a bit... radical! :shock:

And seriously for a second, did you really put the holes all the way through the body with a hand-held drill? Shazam - you must have the best eye in the biz!

Cheers - C

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Post subject: Re: Replacing Bridge on Squier Tele
Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2013 4:21 pm
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Ceri wrote:
bluesky636 wrote:
Hey Ceri!

Are you implying that my hole spacing looks horrible? Don't worry. Several people already have. Doesn't bother me a bit. I used the string thru bridge as a template and a hand drill to make the holes. I installed the ferrules with a hammer. YMMV. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Ha - gosh, I truly wasn't, no! :D

It didn't occur to me that was your own work. You can do the next one that comes my way, if you wouldn't mind. That particular job puts the wind up me.

Though the hammer technique sounds a bit... radical! :shock:

And seriously for a second, did you really put the holes all the way through the body with a hand-held drill? Shazam - you must have the best eye in the biz!

Cheers - C


Yep. Hand held drill and hammer. :lol: :lol: :lol:

Most of my tools are geared towards amp building. My woodworking tools consist of a hand drill, a couple of hand saws, and a selection of hammers. 8)

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Post subject: Re: Replacing Bridge on Squier Tele
Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2013 4:39 pm
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bluesky636 wrote:
My woodworking tools consist of a hand drill, a couple of hand saws, and a selection of hammers. 8)

There's guys can build a whole house with that. Erm, apparently...

I once did a two-point bridge installation with a hand-held drill. Got away with it too - but never again! My eye just ain't good enough.

Respect to you.

Cheers - C

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Post subject: Re: Replacing Bridge on Squier Tele
Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2013 4:48 pm
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Ceri wrote:
bluesky636 wrote:
My woodworking tools consist of a hand drill, a couple of hand saws, and a selection of hammers. 8)

There's guys can build a whole house with that. Erm, apparently...

I once did a two-point bridge installation with a hand-held drill. Got away with it too - but never again! My eye just ain't good enough.

Respect to you.

Cheers - C


Thanks.

You make the best use you can out of the tools you have. :wink:

For the record, I am completely incapable of hammering a nail straight. :lol: :lol: :lol:

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Post subject: Re: Replacing Bridge on Squier Tele
Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2013 12:45 am
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I had no idea that the Affinity had a top loader bridge...that's good to know.
Thanks for all the help Ceri, I really do appreciate it!
Sadly the guy selling the guitar hasn't been in touch with me since our initial emails. He seems to have backed out of the sale. No big deal, it was just going to be a project guitar anyways. I intended on sinking more money into this thing than it was worth. :oops:
Thanks again guys!


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Post subject: Re: Replacing Bridge on Squier Tele
Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2013 1:59 am
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bluesky636 wrote:
My woodworking tools consist of a hand drill, a couple of hand saws, and a selection of hammers. 8)


My idea of a complete toolkit!


Ceri wrote:
There's guys can build a whole house with that. Erm, apparently...

I once did a two-point bridge installation with a hand-held drill. Got away with it too - but never again! My eye just ain't good enough.

Respect to you.

Cheers - C

I don't believe that for a second. I thought you had cyborg upgrade eyes that are like the Terminator. With their own inbuilt 50x zoom ability

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Post subject: Re: Replacing Bridge on Squier Tele
Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2013 2:22 am
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Correct me if I'm wrong but putting a bridge on a used Tele, you're governed by the bridge pickup placement anyway???

As for the Wilkinson bridge, Jackie and Tony are great. I often find stuff arriving the next morning when I buy from them. But do only live 100 miles away.

Should you decide that ordering from them is not for you, Allparts do the Wilkinson compensated bridge for lefties. Very reasonable price for quality gear.

http://www.allparts.com/TB-8129-L01-Lef ... _4545.html

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Post subject: Re: Replacing Bridge on Squier Tele
Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2013 6:28 am
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nikininja wrote:
Jackie and Tony are great.

They're excellent (Axesrus.com). I've dealt with them both by email and Tony on the phone. They know their beans and are always friendly and helpful. A family operation that's high on my go-to list.

Cheers - C

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Post subject: Re: Replacing Bridge on Squier Tele
Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2013 3:20 am
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I love my Affinity Telecaster but I could not stand that stock top loader bridge with the 6 saddle bridge design . Therefore I took it upon myself to do some slight mods in order to accommodate my personal specs. I installed a new top loader Vintage style which has the 3 Barrel Saddle design which is not only easier to restring but also adds more twang for that classic telecaster tone. I also put in some Copper shielding tape in both the pickup and control cavities and also added a Greasebucket tone circuit kit as well. It now sounds absolutely awesome and has become my new No#1 go to guitar.


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Post subject: Re: Replacing Bridge on Squier Tele
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2013 12:09 pm
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I'd go with a 2 way bridge, tbh.

I'm not sure where mine came from, but it kicks $@!. It's a toploader and a body through with steel barrels.

This reminds me, I haven't touched my Telecaster in like a month :(

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