Trouble Finding Non-Ashtray Short Four Hole Telecaster Bridge

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HNB
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Trouble Finding Non-Ashtray Short Four Hole Telecaster Bridge

Post by HNB » Sun Oct 03, 2021 6:10 pm

I bought a MJT Lydia and it has 2-3/16" hole spacing and is predrilled for a short Tele bridge. The issue I have is I don’t want a ashtray one. I would prefer a six saddle bridge sort of like what Telecaster Plus use or a Hardtail Strat bridge but those have three mounting holes behind where the strings come through.

I haven’t found a very good option yet. Wanted to get input.
Christopher
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Re: Trouble Finding Non-Ashtray Short Four Hole Telecaster Bridge

Post by marqueemoon » Sun Oct 03, 2021 7:04 pm

Rutters?

Edit: It’s 3 saddle, but there are compensated options.

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Re: Trouble Finding Non-Ashtray Short Four Hole Telecaster Bridge

Post by alexpigment » Sun Oct 03, 2021 7:55 pm

Maybe this will work?

https://www.armadilloguitar.com/product ... 6-saddles/

With that being said, I do think it might be worth embracing some of the nicer compensated saddles options out there at some point. I've used the Gotoh In-Tune compensated saddles (titanium version) and really loved them. Sort of like a mass-market Rutters, but available in brass, steel and titanium. Intonation was practically perfect on both 10s and 11s, and they're very comfortable on the hand due to their shape.

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Re: Trouble Finding Non-Ashtray Short Four Hole Telecaster Bridge

Post by HNB » Mon Oct 04, 2021 5:31 am

I would be cool with something like this, but cut short. I just don't want the sides up on the low and high string side.

Image

Or even this.

Image

The Armadillo one would work, but I was hoping there was a sub $100 option. I would even buy one of the above ones and cut it short if I had a way to make sure it wouldn't look like crap. LOL
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Re: Trouble Finding Non-Ashtray Short Four Hole Telecaster Bridge

Post by HNB » Mon Oct 04, 2021 5:36 am

It isn't the saddle number that bugs me with the short astray, it is the sides of the tray. :)
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Re: Trouble Finding Non-Ashtray Short Four Hole Telecaster Bridge

Post by BTL » Mon Oct 04, 2021 8:31 am

Four hole, six saddle is an odd duck. Hipshot made mine, but they're pretty much out of that game.

Image

If you're not in a hurry, I may be able to track down an extra one from a customer who replaced his with a Hipshot 6 string fixed bridge.

I also have a chopped 3 saddle plate like the ones GPG USA used to offer, but with a hexagonal baseplate:

https://reverb.com/item/6562205-gpg-usa ... 016-chrome

Image
Last edited by BTL on Mon Oct 04, 2021 8:46 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Trouble Finding Non-Ashtray Short Four Hole Telecaster Bridge

Post by marqueemoon » Mon Oct 04, 2021 8:40 am

HNB wrote:
Mon Oct 04, 2021 5:36 am
It isn't the saddle number that bugs me with the short astray, it is the sides of the tray. :)
The Chopped Bridge from Rutters is what I got for my hardtail build. Despite the name it’s not a cut down ashtray. It has rounded edges where the saddles attach.

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Re: Trouble Finding Non-Ashtray Short Four Hole Telecaster Bridge

Post by HNB » Mon Oct 04, 2021 8:42 am

That would be cool if possible. If not, I can bite the bullet with the Armadillo one. Just seems bizarre to not find this sort of thing. It is just a plate with one bent edge for the saddles to mount two with the four screw holes and six string holes. Engineering wise, it seems like way more simple than what is out there.
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Re: Trouble Finding Non-Ashtray Short Four Hole Telecaster Bridge

Post by HNB » Mon Oct 04, 2021 8:55 am

I wonder if faction could chop a gotoh bridge off for me? I know he works with metal plates.
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Re: Trouble Finding Non-Ashtray Short Four Hole Telecaster Bridge

Post by BTL » Mon Oct 04, 2021 9:06 am

I'm pretty sure the Gotoh bridges are plated metal (brass or aluminum) so you will have a rough edge and a plating mismatch at the chop. GPG was the only lower-priced supplier I ever saw that came close to what you want, and they appear to have ceased operation.
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Re: Trouble Finding Non-Ashtray Short Four Hole Telecaster Bridge

Post by HNB » Mon Oct 04, 2021 9:22 am

That bigsby one looks great. I messaged the guy to see if it is 2 3/16" spacing or not.
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Re: Trouble Finding Non-Ashtray Short Four Hole Telecaster Bridge

Post by HNB » Mon Oct 04, 2021 9:23 am

Oh no I just noticed that it was marked as sold.
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Re: Trouble Finding Non-Ashtray Short Four Hole Telecaster Bridge

Post by HNB » Mon Oct 04, 2021 9:29 am

BeeTL wrote:
Mon Oct 04, 2021 8:31 am
I also have a chopped 3 saddle plate like the ones GPG USA used to offer, but with a hexagonal baseplate:
How far out do the points stick out left and right? Would it likely fit and not hit the pickguard? This is a Lydia. (Mine has dual 90's routes so it would need a chopped bridge.)

Image
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Re: Trouble Finding Non-Ashtray Short Four Hole Telecaster Bridge

Post by BTL » Mon Oct 04, 2021 10:35 am

The width is 3.75" and I can upload a photo later today.

Because Hipshot can no longer supply my custom hardware, my plan it to sell off the remaining chopped plate bridges for $50 or less.

I'll just use standard Hipshot bridges going forward.
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Re: Trouble Finding Non-Ashtray Short Four Hole Telecaster Bridge

Post by HNB » Mon Oct 04, 2021 11:06 am

Since a p90 is like 3.3" I imagine it would fit without hitting the guard.
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