Options abound for Tele-style bridges, but here are 10 to get you thinking about what a swap could do for your guitar.
Be it for intonation issues, functionality, aesthetics, or something else, a bridge upgrade can be a quick cure for what’s ailing your Tele-style axe. Here, we’ve rounded up 10 options for this easy DIY mod.
g-gotoh.comfullcontacthardware.comcallahamguitars.comVintage Bridgeplate
Also available in an American Standard version, this bridge is made of the same spec’d material as the original but is slightly thicker to make it less prone to unwanted squeal.
Modern Bridge for Tele
This beefier version of a traditional Tele bridge features a solid-brass baseplate and six completely adjustable saddles for fine-tuning string height, radius, and intonation.
FCH Tele
This direct coupling system features the company’s “eCAM” saddle design, which eliminates unwanted space between the bottom of the saddle and the top of the plate.
Maverick
If a tremolo is in order, the Maverick features the company’s “Blade” technology for clarity, sustain, and stability, and V-Tone vintage-style brass saddles.
Adjustable Compensated Bridge
A locking pivot screw in the center of each unplated brass saddle on this 3-saddle design allows for precision string-intonation adjustment.
M4
The M4’s baseplate is CNC water-cut from stainless non-ferrous steel, while the solid-brass saddles feature the company’s unique hard-chrome-plating not found on other bridges.
Vintage T
Crafted with thicker, specially treated steel for an 80-percent increase in rigidity, this bridge design is intended to dramatically increase sustain, volume, and note separation.
Steel Replacement Bridge
Designed with vintage-bridge specs, these replacement units have a stamped-steel baseplate and brass saddles like the originals, but feature higher quality finish work.
TL Bridge
This bridge’s lightweight aluminum body and raw-brass saddle construction is intended to provide warm and bell-like tone transfer from strings to the body of a guitar.
Telecaster Retrofit Bridge
Available with different saddle configuration and mount styles, these laser-cut, stainless-steel bridges are non-magnetic for more transparent tone in the bridge pickup position.
A studio visit with the new gear-heavy improv/art-rock supergroup that includes Henry Kaiser, Andy West, and Anthony Pirog.
Premier Guitar’s Ted Drozdowski dropped into Nashville’s POGO studio to eavesdrop on the sessions for the new improv/art-rock group Five Times Surprise—and, of course, to do a Rig Rundown with the three string-playing virtuosos at its epicenter: famed free-ranging guitarist Henry Kaiser, guitarist Anthony Pirog (above left) of the Messthetics, and the Dixie Dregs’ legendary bassist Andy West. Actually, there are four, since the group also includes eclectic electric violinist Tracy Silverman. But hey, this ain’t Premier Fiddle, so…
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The HB Mini fits readily into instruments with traditional mini-humbucker pickup routing.
Manassas, VA (June 17, 2014) -- JBE Pickups is pleased to announce the addition of the HB Mini to its line of dual blade humbucker pickups.
The HB Mini is a small footprint humbucker that fits readily into instruments with traditional mini-humbucker pickup routing; including Les Pauls, SGs and other guitar models that adhere to the mini-humbucker standard size.
A sonic step apart from its bigger PAF-sized brother, the HB Mini has a character all its own. It is clear and present with a musicality that you’ve come to expect from JBE. The initial attack of each note is quickly captured and makes the guitar come alive with definition and sustain. Like other pickups in the JBE line, they share the same ‘design DNA’ that offers hum-free performance and playability plus superior tone that cuts thru sonic clutter of any band without having to turn up to 11.
The HB-Mini uses a shielded four-wire hookup cable for wiring flexibility. Unlike two-wire or braided shield humbuckers, the additional wires of the HB Mini allow you to easily configure the pickup for series or parallel wiring. Wire the HB Mini to a push/pull pot or mini switch and get on-the-fly tone changes.
Phaselus SA, a Swiss manufacturer of custom guitars, has selected the HB Mini as a recommended option for their Lengardo and Torino models of HSS, HSH, or HH pickup-configured instruments.
“We invite guitar builders, dealers, and musicians to experience the HB Mini as well as the full line of JBE guitar and bass pickups,” said Frank T, President JBE Pickups.
The HB Mini is available in Neck and Bridge models or in value priced two-pickup set. Street pricing is $165.95 for the individual bridge or neck pickup and $299 for a two-pickup set.
For more information:
JBE Pickups