Mr 9finger
Digitally Challenged
Inspired by skydogg's thread. Does it really matter? Tonal differences? Educate me! I'm intrigued!
String through bridge or body on a tele?
- Thread starter Mr 9finger
- Start date
guitfiddle
firstlessonologist
Re: String through bridge or body on a tele?
It does make a difference on a Tele bridge...there's just a more complete tone with the string through body.
On G&L ASATs, the bridge has an adjustment to push the bridge pieces tight together, and they sustain like mad with a through bridge stringing system.
It does make a difference on a Tele bridge...there's just a more complete tone with the string through body.
On G&L ASATs, the bridge has an adjustment to push the bridge pieces tight together, and they sustain like mad with a through bridge stringing system.
crusty philtrum
Vintageologist
Re: String through bridge or body on a tele?
The 'Real' Tele tone does involve strings-though-body, no doubt about it in my mind. The trade-off is the greater string tension, but if you're after the whole original Tele vibe, the strings need to go through the body. The sound is bigger and fuller in all the desired Tele ways.
Tele's are amazing in that they can be set up in a lot of ways to cover a lot of playing styles, but a few basic things are a must for the original authentic Tele goodness....
Steel bridge plate, 3 brass saddles and the strings-through body are probably the biggest three factors. Some will also say there is a difference between using small springs or rubber tubing for tension on the bridge pickup mounting screws. I'm sure there are other factors as well. But strings-though v's top-loading is a biggie in Tele-land.
The 'Real' Tele tone does involve strings-though-body, no doubt about it in my mind. The trade-off is the greater string tension, but if you're after the whole original Tele vibe, the strings need to go through the body. The sound is bigger and fuller in all the desired Tele ways.
Tele's are amazing in that they can be set up in a lot of ways to cover a lot of playing styles, but a few basic things are a must for the original authentic Tele goodness....
Steel bridge plate, 3 brass saddles and the strings-through body are probably the biggest three factors. Some will also say there is a difference between using small springs or rubber tubing for tension on the bridge pickup mounting screws. I'm sure there are other factors as well. But strings-though v's top-loading is a biggie in Tele-land.
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: String through bridge or body on a tele?
String through body Tele's are the norm but that doesn't mean by any means that they are better. Top loader tele's also have quite a following...they have more pop to the tone that a sring through body which some guys do prefer.
In the late 50's Leo was having Tele bridges made that would work on both string though body as well as top loader the difference is that he really only used the top loader option on Esquires from the late 50 while Telecasters remained string through body...
Here's the wild part...you hear a lot of guys argue that top loader Esquires are thin and lack body and are too toppy, many of those very same guys talk aobut how Jimmy Page got such a big beefy tone from a Telecaster...Jimmy's Tele (the Dragon tele) is a 59 Telecaster and if you look at photo's you'll find that Jimmy set it up as a top loader!!! It did have string pockets int he back and was made for string through body but close up photo's don't lie and Jimmy did string that guitar as a top loader!
String through body Tele's are the norm but that doesn't mean by any means that they are better. Top loader tele's also have quite a following...they have more pop to the tone that a sring through body which some guys do prefer.
In the late 50's Leo was having Tele bridges made that would work on both string though body as well as top loader the difference is that he really only used the top loader option on Esquires from the late 50 while Telecasters remained string through body...
Here's the wild part...you hear a lot of guys argue that top loader Esquires are thin and lack body and are too toppy, many of those very same guys talk aobut how Jimmy Page got such a big beefy tone from a Telecaster...Jimmy's Tele (the Dragon tele) is a 59 Telecaster and if you look at photo's you'll find that Jimmy set it up as a top loader!!! It did have string pockets int he back and was made for string through body but close up photo's don't lie and Jimmy did string that guitar as a top loader!
SlowGroove
New member
Re: String through bridge or body on a tele?
I like this thread . . .
James
I like this thread . . .
James
Mr 9finger
Digitally Challenged
Re: String through bridge or body on a tele?
Interesting info guys! I think when I actually get around to building a tele, I may get a bridge that's capable of both.
Interesting info guys! I think when I actually get around to building a tele, I may get a bridge that's capable of both.
uOpt
Something Cool
Re: String through bridge or body on a tele?
Would be easy enough to test, just drill a couple holes into the back of any Tele bridge and try it.
Myself, I subscribe to the theory of increased sustain but less organic sound from top-loading. I use a lot of these Schaller flatmount toploaders (475 or something) and they straighten out the sound quite a bit. Of course they also have fully locked saddles and are heavy. I didn't mess with the same Tele bridge in both configurations yet.
This probably goes along with heavy or light tuners.
Would be easy enough to test, just drill a couple holes into the back of any Tele bridge and try it.
Myself, I subscribe to the theory of increased sustain but less organic sound from top-loading. I use a lot of these Schaller flatmount toploaders (475 or something) and they straighten out the sound quite a bit. Of course they also have fully locked saddles and are heavy. I didn't mess with the same Tele bridge in both configurations yet.
This probably goes along with heavy or light tuners.
ibanezrocks
HardtailPisser
Re: String through bridge or body on a tele?
I'll try it next time I string up my Telecaster and see. The bridge is capable of both but I've always gone with the strings through the body.
I'll try it next time I string up my Telecaster and see. The bridge is capable of both but I've always gone with the strings through the body.
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: String through bridge or body on a tele?
I've owned both styles and I much prefer the the string through body bridge. Just sounds better to me. The top loader type doesn't sound bad - but it doesn't sustain as well, IMO, as the string through body design.
The string angle behind the bridge saddles is steeper with the string through body design and I feel that presses the strings against the saddles more firmly and results in what I hear as being a better and more solid tone.
Lew
I've owned both styles and I much prefer the the string through body bridge. Just sounds better to me. The top loader type doesn't sound bad - but it doesn't sustain as well, IMO, as the string through body design.
The string angle behind the bridge saddles is steeper with the string through body design and I feel that presses the strings against the saddles more firmly and results in what I hear as being a better and more solid tone.
Lew
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: String through bridge or body on a tele?
When given a choice, I always take string-thru-body. It seems like it's got to transfer more tone from the stings to the wood and PU's.
When given a choice, I always take string-thru-body. It seems like it's got to transfer more tone from the stings to the wood and PU's.
Donkeyhospital
New member
Re: String through bridge or body on a tele?
I would be more inclined to go with the steeper break angle over the saddle with through stringing. The string isn't really vibrating where it passes though the body so this has no effect but it does pull down harder on the saddle giving better coupling into the bridge and the base plate. The effect that this has on sustain is that the firmer string anchor increases the decay time of the note (more sustain) and transmits more harmonics. Tone is more subjective and very few people can agree on a definition of good tone. More sustain is not always a benefit because it can cause sonic clutter and affect note articulation. That's one of the reasons for string dampers and palm muting. I have seen some players who take three of the strings through the back and three through the body in order to get what they feel is a good balance of tone and string tension. Smoke and mirrors man. It's the search for . the Holy Grail, The Lost Chord and even science doesn't have the answers
I would be more inclined to go with the steeper break angle over the saddle with through stringing. The string isn't really vibrating where it passes though the body so this has no effect but it does pull down harder on the saddle giving better coupling into the bridge and the base plate. The effect that this has on sustain is that the firmer string anchor increases the decay time of the note (more sustain) and transmits more harmonics. Tone is more subjective and very few people can agree on a definition of good tone. More sustain is not always a benefit because it can cause sonic clutter and affect note articulation. That's one of the reasons for string dampers and palm muting. I have seen some players who take three of the strings through the back and three through the body in order to get what they feel is a good balance of tone and string tension. Smoke and mirrors man. It's the search for . the Holy Grail, The Lost Chord and even science doesn't have the answers
treyhaislip
Well-known member
Re: String through bridge or body on a tele?
Ha, I was a sophomore in college when this thread was started.
I've had 2 Teles–one top loaded and the other string thru. Really can't compare the two because they were so different (Maple+Rosewood vs Maple, Gibson scale vs Standard Fender, different pickups, etc.) but my preference from the two I had plus others I've played is string thru–it's a feel thing for me on this one.
Ha, I was a sophomore in college when this thread was started.
I've had 2 Teles–one top loaded and the other string thru. Really can't compare the two because they were so different (Maple+Rosewood vs Maple, Gibson scale vs Standard Fender, different pickups, etc.) but my preference from the two I had plus others I've played is string thru–it's a feel thing for me on this one.
