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Post subject: Bridge swap - opinions?
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 6:24 pm
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Hey all,

I'm looking for some opinions on a mod:

I've got a 96 MIM Tele. Currently I have SD Alnico 2 Pro pups in it. I'm curious what would be the value (tone wise) in changing the bridge? The current bridge is still the stock stainless steel 6 saddle. There's no issues with it whatsoever, but I'm not sure if changing over to say, a vintage 3 saddle, or an American standard 6 saddle might do for the sound of the bridge pickup.

Thoughts?


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Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 9:35 pm
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If you are intent upon changing the bridge then you need to be careful about checking the measurements for string spacing. The MIM 6 saddle bridges string spacing is different from the american bridges!


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Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 2:21 pm
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What is your goal? More sustain....more twang....? :?:

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Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 4:22 pm
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Miami Mike wrote:
What is your goal? More sustain....more twang....? :?:


I'm finding that the bridge pickup is a bit bland sounding right now. Basically, I'm looking for a bit more brightness.


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Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:52 pm
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What about a vintage bridge and 3 compensated steel saddles? I never tried, but I do believe the vintage style bridges from the MIM Classic Series fit right in with no need of further mods. Probably those from Highway 1s and the Am. Vintages too. You can find them in eBay easily.

Glendale offers different kinds of saddles, you should take a look.


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Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:23 am
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Iago wrote:
What about a vintage bridge and 3 compensated steel saddles? I never tried, but I do believe the vintage style bridges from the MIM Classic Series fit right in with no need of further mods. Probably those from Highway 1s and the Am. Vintages too. You can find them in eBay easily.

Glendale offers different kinds of saddles, you should take a look.



I am not so sure about the change from MIM 6 saddle to vintage 3 saddle, but I just changed out a Vintage 3 saddle bridges to a Gotoh modern 6 saddle bridge on a MIM Tele (Baja) and everything fit just fine. Of course I think they MIM guitars using vintage bridges also use vintage measurements :?:

I think the problem is with their 6 saddle bridge string spacings, not sure if they are the same as the 3 saddle spacing; at least that is what I have been reading in these forums....


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Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 6:41 pm
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The American Standard string spacing is different from the MIM Standard, so that probably isn't the best option. My Highway One Tele came with the 3 brass saddle bridge and I swapped it for an American Standard bridge, then eneded up switching it back.

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Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 6:44 pm
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Why did you end up switching back mthorn00?


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Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 6:46 pm
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I'm curious to know what you guys mean about string spacing. Are you talking about the spacing of the actual string holes through the body?


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Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 7:06 pm
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That's it! MIM Standard 6 saddle bridge string spacing is different from the Am. Std.

Or so I have been informed. This is not something I have verified for myself.


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Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 7:51 am
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scarroll1 wrote:
Why did you end up switching back mthorn00?


My '04 Highway One is styled like a '52 Tele and adding the modern bridge just looked "wrong" to me. The improved intonation capability of the modern bridge wasn't that big a deal to me and the Standard bridge didn't give me significantly superior performance in other areas (yes it was a bit more comfortable for palm muting but not hugely so) so I swapped back.

And YES the spacing between the strings on the MIA and MIM Standards is different. so the holes in the body won't line up properly and the strings won't line up properly over the magnets in the bridge pickup.

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