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Post subject: Fender Made in Mexico Deluxe Bridge Questions
Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2018 9:23 am
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Hello,

Just bought a new made in a mexico deluxe strat. Love it. I would like to replace the saddles with the more "modern" variant. Any suggestions? Also any problems blocking and locking down the bridge (I'll take it to a tech).

Thanks, I know I'm a novice.


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Post subject: Re: Fender Made in Mexico Deluxe Bridge Questions
Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2018 3:18 am
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Location: Province de Québec, Canada
Why more modern variant ?

These saddles are ok and look very nice.

Tremolo bridge ( and nut ? ) may need a set -up to work properly


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Post subject: Re: Fender Made in Mexico Deluxe Bridge Questions
Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2018 5:10 am
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Some people just prefer the looks of block saddles.

Other people believe there's a tone/sustain difference.

Other people find them more comfortable because the height screws don't stick up as far. (Yes, you can file/grind the screws so they don't stick up as far on bent steel saddles -- some people don't want to bother.)

It's his money -- if he'd rather have block saddles, why not?
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Some block saddles have centered intonation adjustment screws like the bent steel saddles. Others have offset screws.

Aftermarket block saddles come in two widths -- vintage wide and modern narrow. I presume the MIM Deluxes have narrow string spacing/narrow saddles. Measure to be sure.

AFAIK, Fender's block saddles are all modern/narrow. You could use those even on a vintage/wide bridge but there will be gaps between the saddles.
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You can adjust the 2-point trem flush to the body. And you can block it.

But the pivot points are a little delicate. You should slack the strings when raising or lowering the posts, and you should avoid setting the trem springs ultra/super/maxxed out tight. Tight enough so the bridge doesn't lift when you bend strings with your fingers, but not all 5 springs with the trem claw screwed all the way forward.

If you carve a wood block just make it snug. Don't make it so big that you have to hammer it in.

Tight enough/too tight is a gray area, like how tight the neck screws should be. There's no precise inch/pounds of torque figure. If the bridge dents/cracks the finish, well, that's way too tight.


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Post subject: Re: Fender Made in Mexico Deluxe Bridge Questions
Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2018 5:19 am
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As he tell he is a novice he may think his saddles are wrong .

If he want a new look why not


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Post subject: Re: Fender Made in Mexico Deluxe Bridge Questions
Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2018 7:23 am
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As strayedstrater said, you have to be carful to get the right ones as there are a few variants.

Image

Image

As you can see if you look carefully the intonation screw is not always in the same place.
Some are through the crotch in the middle.
Some are down one leg.
There are also variation on the physical dimensions as well.
Some bridges have different string spacing.

Take some notes.
Take some measurements.
When you think you’re ready to pull the trigger there are lots of places to get saddles.

Overdrive is a place I have used on a few occasions.

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Post subject: Re: Fender Made in Mexico Deluxe Bridge Questions
Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2018 8:02 am
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stratele52 wrote:
As he tell he is a novice he may think his saddles are wrong .

If he want a new look why not


Here ya go:

https://www.callahamguitars.com


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Post subject: Re: Fender Made in Mexico Deluxe Bridge Questions
Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2018 8:55 am
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zaius55 wrote:
Just bought (...) Love it. (...) (I'll take it to a tech) (...) I'm a novice.


Although I fully agree with the it's his money/why not? statement above, it might not be a bad idea to let the tech do his/her/its job, and then use some time playing, so that zaius55/that new guitar/other gear involved get used to one another.
I'm sure that same tech would gladly change the saddles while doing the next scheduled check-up - in a year or so. :wink:


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Post subject: Re: Fender Made in Mexico Deluxe Bridge Questions
Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2018 10:41 am
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Everybody has been helpful, much thanks. Yes the waffles are a cosmetic thing for me, blocking the bridge is a must. Pretty sure I can find a good guitar tech in Cambridge, Just moved here


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Post subject: Re: Fender Made in Mexico Deluxe Bridge Questions
Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2018 10:57 am
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Rather than actually blocking the bridge, you can just go with a Trem Stopper, which screws into the bottom of the trem cavity and rests a pin on the trem block.
You can then snug the springs down as if you were running heavy spring and the bridge won't lift on bends, or drop if you break a string or retune.
The advantage of this is that it won't impact your intonation, and you can switch between 8-9-10's without having to worry about adjusting the bridge (though you'll need to intonate).

It also protects your finish, and retains the use of the tremolo bar, though you can only drop the pitch, not raise it.

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Post subject: Re: Fender Made in Mexico Deluxe Bridge Questions
Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2018 11:05 am
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Out of my usual curiosity, why is the blocked trem a must?

Anyways, using the pro for it (and a setup, while at it) is a very good idea if you're a novice.
And if you want to specify your Cambridge (MA? UK?...) someone on the forum might even have a recommendation for good techs.


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Post subject: Re: Fender Made in Mexico Deluxe Bridge Questions
Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2018 1:10 pm
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Trem stopper ; First time I hear that .
Easy to built for less the $2

http://www.fu-tone.com/catalog/index.ph ... x&cPath=70


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Post subject: Re: Fender Made in Mexico Deluxe Bridge Questions
Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2018 4:18 pm
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If you do a lot of unison bends or oblique bends, a floating trem can be annoying.

Even more so if you frequently switch between alternate tunings.

But "blocking" has come to mean fitting a wood block into the trem cavity to immobilize the bridge. I've seen roughcut oversize blocks for sale, but you have to file/sand them to final size because there are always dimensional variations.

Some people shove a stack of coins in the cavity as an alternative to a wood block. You have to experiment with the denominations to come up with the proper size.

I've heard of people forcing a 9 volt battery into the cavity. I'd worry about eventual leakage.

And as I said earlier, you don't want to put huge pressure on the pivot points. Vintage 6-screw bridges tolerate abuse better.
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But you can immobilize the bridge without blocking. "Decking" or "setting the bridge flush". Adjust the bridge so it sets flat on the body when the strings are loosened, then tighten up the trem springs.

Again as previously, don't tighten the springs as tight as you possibly can.
------------------
After blocking or decking, the string height and intonation will probably need to be adjusted. (Maybe not -- depends on how picky you are.)


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Post subject: Re: Fender Made in Mexico Deluxe Bridge Questions
Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 1:59 am
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These seem to be popular replacements for narrow (2 1/16" spacing) zinc block or bent steel saddles if you're in the US.
https://www.guitarfetish.com/Upgrade-St ... p_773.html


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Post subject: Re: Fender Made in Mexico Deluxe Bridge Questions
Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2018 3:09 am
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I absolutely had to have blocked saddles as I would rest the heel of my hand on the bridge.

I played a MIM with folded saddles and hated it as I felt like the screws were lacerating my hand. It transpired it was a cheap MiM and all the height screws were the same length - as noted above, a proper set up and having the screws changing to the correct length would have made a big difference.

My playing style has evolved and I now prefer the bent steel saddles. It may just be psychological but I think they sound crisper with more sustain.

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After all this time I should be better.


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Post subject: Re: Fender Made in Mexico Deluxe Bridge Questions
Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2018 8:03 am
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Hi.
I´m new to fender strats. last week I found one lost Mexican strat classic player 50s made in 2011 on my local music store. Guitar have 2 point tremolo bridge with big Zinc Block.
I would like to upgrade it to Steel block. I make a search on Ebay... I found blocks, but I don´t know if the blocks made for 6 screws mexican bridges feature on 2 point Mexican Bridge.
Can you help me. Please tell me wich words I should use to search for it?


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