The Secret To Installing A Telecaster Bridge Correctly Every Time

[@davismusic3674]

Thanks for the helpful hint with the hinge bit !

[@Nightpants]

yeah, i was gonna buy a small press that would probably have never been used again and decided to try this instead

[@eddiejr540]

Excellent work Tony …good stuff 👍

[@fueladdicted-gameplays6743]

God job. I prefer to install the neck, and then align the bridge with the neck and ensure the same distance between the midpoint (12) and the nut.

[@Charles75N]

Thanks. Tony doing this soon on the Acid Drop Telecaster

[@James-fu8fj]

I want to know how you get your intonation set right not having the neck in there that’s what I thought on one of mine too telecaster pre-drilled holes that thing was off over an inch into the sharp end of it, and it was a string through body, which is actually in the scale length was a Gibson wouldn’t even fit it. It was 24 inches, I mean the pick up was up against into the pick guard probably why I got it so cheap so I’m having to mess with that right now taking the pick up cavity out so I can scoot it back to 25 1/2.

[@addictedtogear]

You need to calculate the scale length, If the scale length is within range of the play of the bridge saddles you will be fine, it not you may need to use longer screws on the saddles.

[@TheYamaha109]

Great video, I’m working on my first build! I have a question, on my xgp body I have a fender 3 saddle vintage bridge and the pick up is hitting the neck pockets on the top and not allowing the bridge to line up with those through holes. Should I route out the pick up hole?

[@saintbrando]

Nice work Tony. I noticed the Wilkinson bridge is a top load. Always nice to have the option. The Dragon tele has the same style.

[@addictedtogear]

Yes you can top load or not.

[@jobe7660]

Tony great video! Do you happen to know whether it is possible to replace a modern bridge with a vintage bridge or will the screw holes of the modern show/be exposed ?

[@ericdavid199]

Hello, do you happen to know what size the drill bit guide attachment is?

[@TedP007]

If I'm using a top mount , how do I get the right position for intonation ? Thanks for the great video.

[@addictedtogear]

It’s the same process as usual, just adjust the saddles back-and-forth until the right nation is achieved.

[@jchavins]

a couple of points.....first you're relying on the predrilled thru the body string holes......their location needs to be verified first. This requires bolting on the neck. I've run into bodies that the string holes do not match the angle of the neck pocket resulting in being so far off it should be embarrassing to the seller the starts with the letter "G" and ends with an "h". Second you have verify that the thru the body holes match the type of bridge you are using. American Standard use a different location for string holes by approximately 1/4" relative to the neck pocket. Three and 5 screw bridges are different from the vintage 4 screw bridge. I've personally have 5 different Telecaster bridges. Joe Glaser mentions in a video that there are approximately 15. Another difference is the location of the bridge pickup. Not all match the vintage bridge. Your video is for an accurate vintage body using a vintage bridge. (for those that don't like the three barrel bridge Fender sells a replacement with 6 saddles for less than $30)

[@srdjanmilad]

Nice work

[@The..Butterfly..Effect]

This drill is great... Need a link where to buy

[@addictedtogear]

Any decent hardware store should have them.

[@MarkJohnsonJams]

Awesome

[@michaelcunneen2665]

What if the body is not pre-drilled for the bridge?

[@addictedtogear]

Most are not. You would have to drill them yourself.