Best Place to buy hardware?

[proxy]

Where would be the best place to buy all the hardware for my tele project I plan on ordering soon?

Hardware is adding up damn quick on some of these sites. It almost seems like it would be cheaper to buy some beater tele and rip all the hardware off of it and then jimi hendrix the neck and body.

 

[MikeRocker]

Re: Best Place to buy hardware?

If you want excellent quality stuff, go with www.vintique.com (top quality, but expensive!), or www.callahamguitars.com.

 

[aleclee]

Re: Best Place to buy hardware?

Do you want good hardware or is Squier-quality stuff okay? Also what are your expectations price-wise? Stew-Mac has value-priced stuff ($26 for a tele bridge, $14 for tuners). If you're looking for something much cheaper than that, you're probably gonna have a hard time.

 

[FretFire]

Re: Best Place to buy hardware?

I sometimes shop at :

www.guitarpartsdepot.com

www.guitarelectronics.com

www.guitarpartsresource.com

Just to name a few.

 

[proxy]

Re: Best Place to buy hardware?

I'm looking for good stuff as it would be a shame to put crappy stuff on USACG pieces of wood. I was on warmoth looking at the hardware and it just seemed to add up a little too quick.

I want something at least on Fender's MIM level.

 

[proxy]

Re: Best Place to buy hardware?

Do you think scouring ebay might not be a bad way to go either?

How would discern good hardware from bad?
And what are compensated saddles on the 3 barrel bridges?

 

[aleclee]

Re: Best Place to buy hardware?

I'm looking for good stuff as it would be a shame to put crappy stuff on USACG pieces of wood. I was on warmoth looking at the hardware and it just seemed to add up a little too quick.

I want something at least on Fender's MIM level.

Good hardware ain't cheap, especially the name brand stuff. It's a big reason why a Warmoth or USACG guitar ends up being more expensive than its factory-built counterpart.

 

[proxy]

Re: Best Place to buy hardware?

Any tips on where to grab good deals on good hardware?

 

[MikeRocker]

Re: Best Place to buy hardware?

How would discern good hardware from bad?
And what are compensated saddles on the 3 barrel bridges?

Good hardward is just made better, built to tighter tolerances out of better materials. It'll last longer, adjust more accurately and sound better. The 3-barrel bridge is what purists recommend for classic Tele tone, but they're hard to intonate, as there are 2 strings per barrel. The compensated ones are supposed to be adjusted to improve this. The intonation on my Vintique 3-barrel is excellent. I also recommend one with the lower flange removed, like the Vintique, Callaham, or Joe Barden (out of business, but on eBay).