Premium bridges........

Quencho092

Quencho092

New member
Ok, so im in the market for a ridiculously high end bridge of some sort for my strat. You guys know what I play, mostly bebop, really clean glassy blues, R&B on the strat, mini humbucker is my primary pickup (neck position). I'm looking for something that is just more solid, gives out more top end, more sound content.

I block my bridge and never use trem, so I'm even open to installing a fixed bridge of sorts here.

What do I choose? What are my options? Looking for more high end articulation. IF I don't use the trem at all, is it worth buying a trem style bridge or should i put a hardtail or something? GIMME SUGGESTIONS FOR A SERIOUS BRIDGE UPGRADE FROM THE 2 PT AMERICAN TREM!
 
Re: Premium bridges........

Callaham, but the American Standard is a great bridge. I wouldn't sweat it; maybe 15% difference.
 
Re: Premium bridges........

MetalManiac said:
Callaham, but the American Standard is a great bridge. I wouldn't sweat it; maybe 15% difference.
Click to expand...

Callaham doesn't make a 2pt bridge, though they do make a block / saddle upgrade for the pre-2008 Am Std. bridge. If you're looking for a high-end 2pt Strat bridge, take a look at a Gotoh 510-TS with the steel block. That's the bridge that comes standard on Suhr guitars.
 
Re: Premium bridges........

After buying a Callaham gridge for my tele I was sold and picked up a vintage strat bridge for my 57 cleveland....AMAZING BRIDGE! I would recommend getting the Callaham retrofit kit for the Am. Std. bridge. The Am. Std block is pretty crappy IMO.

Luke
 
Re: Premium bridges........

yea the am std block is a dull steel, it would probably break if i slammed it on my driveway

I just might go with the gotoh 510-ts.....perhaps with titanium saddles? What do you guys think about titanium saddles? I'm looking for the best schitt possible for 2pt am std compatibility.

I'm a big fan of top end treble and having a guitar capable of ringing like a piano, and tapering it using the tone control. Should I just go with titanium saddles?
 
Re: Premium bridges........

510 steel block/2 point is my favorite bridge and IIRC, should be a direct swap. But...

I think the bushings probably are a little different (more mass) so to get the most benefit, the Gotoh bushings probably should be installed. They also lock.

If I were in your situation, I'd probably either leave it alone or hunt for a Callaham block and bent saddles. Also block the trem.
 
Re: Premium bridges........

You're already blocked anyhow. I cannot see spending $150 on a Super Vee or whatever else just to block it down. Why not just cut a block of alder or ash that replaces both the metal vibrato block and the block that is already in there, and put Tele string ferrules on? The bridge plate would screw right into the block of wood, and the wood would fit tightly into the vibrato cavity. It's almost no money's worth of wood. You'll need a saw and a drill, and maybe a hand planer. And you don't even really need the ferrules if you want to keep it truly dirt cheap.

Maybe just get the Callaham saddles and block if you don't want to go this route.
 
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Re: Premium bridges........

hmmmmmm, I like the way you think Itsabass!

Very cool idea, what if i get a chunk of ebony or another mega hard dark wood? Or rock maple? Please don't put this in your sigs!

Hmmmmt this would permanently eliminate the need for springs as well....So pilot holes for the bridge plate to mount, holes drilled for the string to thread thru, attach ferrules and done??

You guys are phukkkking awesome BTW, this is good advice.
 
Re: Premium bridges........

ive hardtailed a few guitars and i like the result. get a good bridge (the callaham hardtail is the muttz nutz) and youll dig it
 
Re: Premium bridges........

I have Ti block saddles on my Anderson.
Tom now offers them as an option.
I'd had them a while and hadn't tried them when he started raving about them.
I went ahead and installed them and absolutely love them.
I don't like Strat style Ti saddles tho, too soft and got grooves too quickly.
For Strat saddles I'd go with Raw Vintage !
 
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just swap the block and keep the rest. Stick a piece of wood in behind the block too if you want.
 
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Re: Premium bridges........

I wouldn't go through the trouble of converting it into a true hardtail. I've got a hardtail Strat and despite what most people will tell you, it's not like a Tele and the attack's slightly different from a regular Strat at decent playing volume. It does feel and sound a bit different, but it's nothing to lose sleep over.

I'd say don't go too crazy and just upgrade the saddles and block with Callaham parts (American Deluxe upgrade kit). Use 4 or 5 springs, lock it down and enjoy. If you want to, you can also shove a block of wood in there. Some people like it, some don't.
 
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