I have a Standard MIM strat that I was thinking about replacing the bridge in. Will an american bridge fit without modification? Is there a benefit to doing this? It seems like the american bridge has better saddles but is there any other difference?

Why not just replace the saddles? Replacing the MIM vintage style bridge with a 2 point bridge seems like it would be more trouble than it's worth. I would do a nicer set of saddles first before diving into a much more extensive project both labor and cost wise.

I apologize for my ignorance. Will the saddles make the largest difference tonally? I was going to put a graph tech nut on the guitar as well.

So, you've learned that the mim and mia bridges aren't compatible. But there are good reasons for continuing to consider changing your bridge.

Your bridge is basically made up of the saddles, the plate (what the saddles sit on), and the sustain block (at the bottom of the plate where your strings terminate).

Most bridges seem to come with a steel plate. That's good, as it gives good sustain, and stratty tone.

The saddles should also be steel or stainless steel for good sustain and classic strat tone. For many years they were zinc, causing a loss of sustain and duller tone.

Sustain blocks should be made of steel, but for many years Fender has used a mixture of metal and epoxy (or maybe silly putty). Loss of sustain and dulling of tone.

Yes pickups will make a big difference in your tone, but changing the bridge to all steel components will yield a big difference in tone. I'm talking about tone you will notice, not some theoretical difference that only the strat gods will be able to hear. You will notice tje change when you play the guitar unplugged and when you amp it. More sustain, and a more focused tone.

Philosophy: I think it makes sense to maximize your core tone (the guitar unplugged) as well as your pickups. Of course, do one change at a time, so you'll know where your tone changes are coming from.

Thanks for the all the info. I was thinking about using these saddles

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/ ... 305802#new

Anyone have any experience with them?

They're touting the polymer insert as a way to reduce string breakage. It probably will reduce breakage, but you won't have a problem with string breakage if you use solid steel saddles.

I used Graphtech's stringsaver saddles because I was having trouble with string breakage on a bridge I got from GFS (total piece of crap - couldn't get 4 hours of play without breaking a string with it). The regular graph tech saddle drastically altered the tone of my Strat. Dull dull dull. Some players like a duller warmer sound....NOT ME. I like it stratty!

So it appears the saddles you're looking at use a small piece of the graph tech material where the string meets the saddle. Maybe that lets them dull the sound less? What's the point?

Why not just get steel saddles? A good bridge won't break strings. The Callaham parts will fit your bridge. Or take a close look at the Gotoh Wilkinson vs401, as it has all steel components and a trem arm that doesn't rattle around...very precise.

Steel saddles are a step in the right direction, but you will really start to notice improved strat tone when you go to a steel sustain block. That's what the original strats used.

Hi toppsseller: those are fine. But what are you using them to replace?

Lotta people think that solid milled steel saddles like those contribute to a "modern" sound with more sustain. On the other hand, bent steel saddles are supposed to help with a classic twangy Strat sound.

Fender have recently gone back to bent steel saddles on the American Standard, by the way...

Many feel that a heavy steel trem block made by Callaham is a good bridge upgrade (as has already been mentioned). Callaham make a block especially for your MIM. Take a read through this page:

http://www.callahamguitars.com/blocks.htm

Good luck - C

So here's what I bought. I have heard alot of good things about Callaham so I decided to get the whole kit. I don't really have a problem with string breakage and the guitar could definitely use more sustain.

Mexican Standard Premium Upgrade Kit $126.00
- Mexican Standard Block enhanced
Note: Threaded for 10-32 American arms
- Vintage styled "CG" saddles for 2 1/16 spaced bridge
- "64" Virtual Pop-in stainless steel trem arm with tip comes stock.
(Our other 2 length arms can be substituted at no additional cost
but you must specify at time of order.)
(Please specify mint green or parchment white tip
otherwise parchment white will be sent.)
- Hardened trem mounting screws (set of 6)
(6 Screws Not for use with MIM Classic Player, since 2-pivot bridge) (Subtract $5.00)
- 4 Tremolo Springs (NEW addition to kit in 2009)
- Allen wrench
Replaces Zinc block and more.

Let us know how the switch goes, and if you're into it, take and post some pics of the process.

Excellent choice! Yeah, definitely let us know what you think about your new tone.

I def. will. Thanks again guys for all the help. I will try and get some pics. I don't know if I'm going to do the upgrade myself, I was going to replace the nut and might just do all the work then and get it setup at once

Great upgrade! I think you will really like the extra tone and sustain from the block.
As far as replacing the nut goes, it has been brought up a few times before. Basically, the nut should only affect the tone of an open string.