Needed... Tele bridge, slightly custom. Anyone able to help? Update with pics!

Norwegian_Blue

This Telemaster is looking to gain a Bigsby B-5 fairly soon, and I'm looking to keep the same bridge set-up. So I'm looking for a cutoff tele bridge with dips in the rear for the strings to pass by. And dulled to match the other hardware. Is there anyone who could do this for me? 

rico

I can't help but that is a cool looking guitar!

Gagaryn

Just remove the unwanted metal from the bridge you already have. A Dremel is the quick way but you could achieve the same result with a file - just take longer. A bit like this one on my tele, done with a Dremel.

Norwegian_Blue

@Gagaryn very tidy job!

Norwegian_Blue

@gavin_axecaster @lonestar  anything you guys can whip up for me? Would be looking to get a new cutoff bridge from you anyway to do the job! @lonestar  looking forward to cracking on with that P-bass order I was chatting to you about soon!

gavin_axecaster

I can't mod one (my Dremel has given up the ghost) but if you are planning to do it yourself my unplated half bridge would be my suggestion.
http://www.axecaster.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=12_37&products_id=286
Non-shiny and will age naturally over time and a choice of saddles.

GoldenEraGuitars

Yeah a dremel seems to be the way to go. Probably best to draw a guide line onto the bridge before starting. It'll take a while mind.

@Norwegian_Blue I'm ready when you are for the body!

Gagaryn

@Norwegian_Blue  PM'd you in case you want to out source the Dremelling! :-)

Norwegian_Blue

Cheers guys, I think we have a plan!

Roland

I wouldn't bother with a Dremel. A rat tail file will be easier to position, to hold steady, and to control. With a Dremel there's the risk of wandering off line, going too deep, or getting an odd shaped groove. You can also use it at an angle to finish the edges and smooth the sharp edges which plating is prone to give you when cut.

JohnPerry

I did mine with a grinding bit I bought from wickes for a fiver and put on the cordless drill. Hard to go wrong I reckon...progress is slow enough that you can't reallyvlose control of the shape of it

Norwegian_Blue

A little late but we're finally up and running, staying in tune and working nicely! Thanks to @gavin_axecaster  from providing a bridge and a big thanks to @Gagaryn for doing the dirty work!

olafgarten

Norwegian_Blue said:

A little late but we're finally up and running, staying in tune and working nicely! Thanks to @gavin_axecaster  from providing a bridge and a big thanks to @Gagaryn for doing the dirty work!

That looks awesome, how well does the bigsby stray in tune with this bridge? 

Gagaryn

Looking good!

Norwegian_Blue

@olafgarten It's just come back from a bit of tweaking, and now that the new bigsby spring has been abused a bit it's settling nicely in tune, no problems!

Duppy03

Sweet! I think I'll take the same approach with my Telemaster build, looks great