Are Tune-o-matic bridges made for Set-Necks only?!!

[StrangeDay]

For my Telecaster project, I really want to put in a Tune-o-matic bridge. But now I'm wondering if the tune-o-matic bridge would intonate correctly with the bolt on neck. Aren't most tune-o-matic bridges placed on set-neck guitars?!! I would imagine that those necks would be angled differently than that of a Standard Fender. What do you say?!! :dammit:

 

[rinse_master]

Re: Are Tune-o-matic bridges made for Set-Necks only?!!

I would imagine that those necks would be angled differently than that of a Standard Fender.

That's the only problem I can think of, you'd have to maybe put a couple of shims in the neck pocket (IIRC it's only a matter of a couple of degrees, angle-wise).

Other than that it should be fine.

 

[theodie]

Re: Are Tune-o-matic bridges made for Set-Necks only?!!

It will not be a problem. The neck will have to be angled. You can either do this with shims or if you are building the body, rout the neck pocket with an angle built in.

 

[NecroPolo]

Re: Are Tune-o-matic bridges made for Set-Necks only?!!

A TOM bridge can be applied to bolt-on necks as well.

I would imagine that those necks would be angled differently than that of a Standard Fender. What do you say?!! :dammit:

Most definitely, yes. A TOM-STP bridge is relatively high so it comes with a back-angled neck. There are different angles, as far as I know the typical range is from 10 to 15 degrees, depending on construction.

Shims usually work o.k. but in many cases using them mean some tone loss so I'd recommend a proper neck pocket routing.

 

[darren]

Re: Are Tune-o-matic bridges made for Set-Necks only?!!

Godin puts tune-o-matic style bridges on some of their bolt-on LG and LGX guitars, and they just recess the bridge into the body instead of angling the neck with shims or an angled neck pocket.

 

[rspst14]

Re: Are Tune-o-matic bridges made for Set-Necks only?!!

The stop-tail Peavey Wolfgang models are bolt-ons with a TOM bridge. I'm pretty sure they angle the neck pocket. I asked Warmoth about this once, they told me that a TOM bridge requires a 10 degree angle in the neck pocket.

Ryan

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Are Tune-o-matic bridges made for Set-Necks only?!!

A Gibson style TOM has a flatter radius than a vintage Tele or Strat and the individual string ht. is not adjustable. This means that if your Tele has a vintage fingerboard radius the middle four strings, and especially the D & G strings, might be to close the fretboard. Maybe not though...depends on your guitar. Lew

 

[kaknight]

Re: Are Tune-o-matic bridges made for Set-Necks only?!!

also, the bridge pickup will have to be raised a lot to be of proper height. that might not work depending on how your pups are mounted (there might not be enough adjustment room).

 

[jeremy]

Re: Are Tune-o-matic bridges made for Set-Necks only?!!

instead of angling my neck i recessed the tom into the body by about 0.25", its a cool custom look too

 

[StrangeDay]

Re: Are Tune-o-matic bridges made for Set-Necks only?!!

Thanks, everyone!!

But, what if I don't use the bushings, and just screw the TOM bridge directly onto the guitar body?! Is that a crazy idea?!! It would have a lot lower of a profile.

 

[Ken]

Re: Are Tune-o-matic bridges made for Set-Necks only?!!

instead of angling my neck i recessed the tom into the body by about 0.25", its a cool custom look too

This is how all of my guitars will be from now on (when I start building in 100 years :wink: ). I love the design of the Godin's. I just like the feel of the TOM combined with the bolt-on design. Best of both worlds.

 

[StrangeDay]

Re: Are Tune-o-matic bridges made for Set-Necks only?!!

This is the guitar that I will be working on.
http://www.gbase.com/guitar_pics/42/545631.jpg
I will install a BIgsby Vibrato tailpiece, which is why I plan on using a regular small mounting ring around the pup, and the T-O-Matic bridge in bewteen.

 

[Hellion]

Re: Are Tune-o-matic bridges made for Set-Necks only?!!

Both Dean and Ibanez have bolt on models that use a tunomatic bridge.

 

[RushOfBlood]

Re: Are Tune-o-matic bridges made for Set-Necks only?!!

i'd try to find a roller saddle TOM with a bigsby. the regular seems to stick a bit sometimes.

I've got a bigsby and TOM on my musicmaster (bolt on) and the stickiness seems to be a problem. it's not so bad though.

But i'm going to try and recess it like mentioned, that seems like a good idea

ps that john 5 tele is frickin sweet

 

[StrangeDay]

Re: Are Tune-o-matic bridges made for Set-Necks only?!!

i'd try to find a roller saddle TOM with a bigsby. the regular seems to stick a bit sometimes.

I've got a bigsby and TOM on my musicmaster (bolt on) and the stickiness seems to be a problem. it's not so bad though.

What do you mean by "stickiness?"
Pics? :33:

 

[Rich_T]

Re: Are Tune-o-matic bridges made for Set-Necks only?!!

i was gonna suggest recessing the bushings, it looks really cool and its probably easier than shimming, that could take long time to get right.

 

[RushOfBlood]

Re: Are Tune-o-matic bridges made for Set-Necks only?!!

What do you mean by "stickiness?"
Pics? :33:

i mean that sometimes it seems like the strings get 'caught up' in the saddles when using the tremolo. it's kind of a weird thing, it's a similar feeling/effect to having nut slots that are too small.

this is what it would look like without a shim or recessment. note the string angle at the higher register of the frets. it's pretty high.

 

[theodie]

Re: Are Tune-o-matic bridges made for Set-Necks only?!!

instead of angling my neck i recessed the tom into the body by about 0.25", its a cool custom look too

I would have to say that sounds like a very interesting idea Jeremy. Thank you for the tip.

 

[Sprinter]

Re: Are Tune-o-matic bridges made for Set-Necks only?!!

G&L, built a limited run of Asat's with TOM bridges. They were called the Asat Jr.


Sprinter

 

[Falstaff]

Re: Are Tune-o-matic bridges made for Set-Necks only?!!

Here's a pic of a groovy looking strat: http://home.frognet.net/~danjoan/jerryweb.jpg