Telecaster 3-barrel bridge vs. modern 6-string bridge ?
- Thread starter surfsteve
- Start date
Help!I'maRock!
Mediocringly Derivative
The only thing you’re missing when you use a six saddle bridge is intonation issues. Don’t even worry about it.
bsman
b00b
I hear a lot of people say that a three-barrel, brass saddle bridge is critical to good tele tone. My experience indicates otherwise.
Grant Harding
Creative fingering specialist
I upgraded to a 6 saddle Babicz and it really made an improvement in sound and stability.
dmn23
Duller than cardboard
Guitar #1: Alder & rosewood, Gotoh 6-saddle bridge, '52 pups
Guitar #2: Ash & maple, Klein compensated brass barrels, Nocaster pups
There's a very noticeable difference but I think there are too many variables for me to identify how much the bridge contributes to it.
As others have said, the 6-saddle is more precise and easier to tweak.
Guitar #2: Ash & maple, Klein compensated brass barrels, Nocaster pups
There's a very noticeable difference but I think there are too many variables for me to identify how much the bridge contributes to it.
As others have said, the 6-saddle is more precise and easier to tweak.
Dexter Inferno
Serious error
Yeah, I prefer the modern style. Can't say I can tell much of a difference sound wise.
Graphtech saddles on mine as well, which I can highly recommend.
Graphtech saddles on mine as well, which I can highly recommend.
reverend1
Kick Henry Jackassowski
This. I know the six saddle is better, but I’m not good enough to hear the difference in intonation.The six saddle version allows you to get more precise intonation. A lot of folks prefer the look of the traditional three barrel bridge. You'd have to have a pretty incredible to discern the difference.
Brad Paisley likes the three barrel.
There's two versions of the six-saddle bridge. There's the ashtray six-saddle, like what came stock on '70s Teles and comes in the case with the '52RI, and then the modern six-saddle.The six saddle version allows you to get more precise intonation. A lot of folks prefer the look of the traditional three barrel bridge. You'd have to have a pretty incredible ear to discern the difference.
Brad Paisley likes the three barrel.
The modern six-saddle sounds different. It's not as twangy with the same pickup. I would dare say that the overall tone is "meatier". That's because the bridge plate is a thicker piece of brass rather than the thinner stamped steel. I used to have a sunburst Tele that I switched from modern to three-saddle ashtray. The difference in tone was pretty big.
The six-saddle ashtray is a pain in the balls. When I had one on my blue Tele the saddles would shift all over the place when I bent strings. The Fender design isn't nearly as nice as the G&L design which has thicker screws and brass saddles.
The three-saddle bridge with brass saddles also sounds ballsier than the six-saddle ashtray without losing any of the classic Tele twang.
Saddle material will also make a difference. The big brass saddles sound different than the thinner steel saddles.
I run my three-saddle bridges with Fender's own non-compensated brass saddles and D'Addario EXL-110 strings and I have no intonation problems. I haven't tried the EB Cobalt Slinky 10s on my Teles, yet, but I have a feeling that they'll intonate just fine, too.
Bob411
thrumming with potential
The six saddle version allows you to get more precise intonation. A lot of folks prefer the look of the traditional three barrel bridge. You'd have to have a pretty incredible ear to discern the difference.
Brad Paisley likes the three barrel.
Guilty. I just don't like the look of the 6 saddle. I have the same problem with PRS guitars. They make some beautiful guitars but, if the bridge isn't a T O M, it just looks wrong to me.
dmn23
Duller than cardboard
I had the same issue too. Mine was a USA model, but that particular spec used the cheap ashtray 6 saddle and it drove me crazy. I switched to a Gotoh modern and I've never had another problem.
Pine Apple Slim
Kick Henry Jackassowski
Tone wise I’m sure it’s pretty negligible. I’ll take either but prefer the look of the 3 saddle. I can get close enough for me intonation wise.
335clone
Living the dream
I switched from the 6 to a vintage 3 with ashtray. Not going back.
There are techniques to dial in intonation on a 3 barrel that work wonders, just like there are ways to eliminate tuning stability issues with Strat trems. Some people are unwilling to do the work, and blame the hardware.
Besides that, the vintage 3 barrel just looks better, with or without the ashtray.
There are techniques to dial in intonation on a 3 barrel that work wonders, just like there are ways to eliminate tuning stability issues with Strat trems. Some people are unwilling to do the work, and blame the hardware.
Besides that, the vintage 3 barrel just looks better, with or without the ashtray.
surfsteve
Pendejo
What manufacturer 3-saddle did you use? Is it an easy swap? Is it a compensated type?