The original Telecaster bridge design is one of the defining features of a Telecaster. Purists will say not to mess with perfection. But there’s another school of thought that loves the Tele bridge, but sees that improvements can be made with a 6 Saddle bridge (gasp!). Before you make the jump, let’s consider the choice from a few different points of view. We’ll review the pros and cons, as well as offer suggestions on the best Telecaster Bridge of each type. We’ll also touch on the Top Load Telecaster bridge, a lesser known, yet vintage choice.
The Original 3 Saddle Telecaster Bridge
The vintage Fender Telecaster bridge is easily the most distinct bridge type on any electric guitar. This is due to both the bottom plate, and the 3-saddle design. Telecaster bridges are traditionally “rear-loaded”, which means that their strings thread through six holes in the back of the guitar body.
The 3-Saddle design is also referred to as “3-Barrel”. When they were released, Telecasters came equipped with the 3-barrel design. What made this bridge interesting is that instead of individual saddles for each string, there were only 3 saddles, with two strings per saddle. The saddles themselves were constructed of Brass. Though other metals have been used since then, Brass is acknowledged as the true vintage choice.
Ashtray Bridge Cover
Additionally, early Teles came equipped with an “Ashtray” Telecaster bridge cover, which snapped on to the top of the bridge, covering the pickup. Ashtray covers are designed to be used with a vintage-style 3-saddle bridge.
Telecaster Toploader Bridge
The Telecaster Top load bridge design exists, but is far less common than the rear-loaded, string-through-body design. Some feel that the top load bridge has less sustain. However, when strung through the bridge and not the body, a top loading Telecaster bridge creates a different break angle on the strings. This results in a “slinkier” feel, that is similar to a Strat. Some players really dig this, especially Rock players who are accustomed to playing guitars with a 24 3/4″ scale length (“Gibson scale”).
Although Top-Loaded Telecaster bridges aren’t as popular as other bridge designs, they aren’t new. Fender had toploaders available in the late 1950s! Jim Campilongo is one of the best known users of the top loader bridge. His primary Telecaster is from 1959.
Modern 6-Saddle Bridge
For years, the vintage Telecaster bridge was the only game in town for Teles. Sometime in the 1970s, Teles began appearing with Strat-style 6-saddle designs. However, 6 saddle bridges on Teles didn’t get hugely popular until Fender started putting them on their late-1980s American Standard models.
The introduction of the 6-saddle bridge was driven by intonation. Although the traditional bridge more or less intonated well, players who were sensitive to intonation issues were naturally interested in a solution that could improve it. The biggest drawback to the traditional bridge design was that each string lacked individual intonation control. Add to the fact that the guitar is an imperfectly intonated instrument to begin with, the lack of fine intonation control was problematic on some Telecasters.
Differences with the 6-Saddle Bridge Include:
1. Improved Intonation
Because each saddle is associated with a single string, the 6 saddle bridge offers more intonation adjustment. With a 6 saddle bridge, you can adjust each saddle individually to dial in the intonation.
2. Improved String Height Adustability
In addition to being able to adjust the intonation for each string, the 6 saddle bridge also gives you more adjustability over the action of the guitar (the action is the height of the strings above the frets). With a 6 saddle bridge, you can adjust the height of each string individually, which allows you to dial in the action precisely.
3. Modern Look
Though the 3 barrel is the trad choice, actually prefer the look of a 6 saddle bridge over a traditional 3-barrel bridge.
Best Telecaster Bridge Design: Vintage, Modern, or Top Load?
Many players do report some differences in tone between Traditional and 6-saddle bridges. Like so many things with guitars though, it’s a tradeoff. Let’s summarize the main differences that proponents of each bridge design point to when they proclaim that their preferred bridge is superior. Here are what Telecaster fans report as strong points of each design:
1. Vintage 3 Saddle Bridge
- More signature Telecaster “Twang”
- Better Sustain
- Vintage Look
2. Modern 6 Saddle Bridge
- Superior Intonation
- Better String Height Adjustment
- Smoother Tone
3. Top Loading Telecaster Bridge
- “Slinkier” string tension and “looser” feel
- Smoother Treble
JLeonardJ has strong feelings on the Top Load bridge, and has great audio demo as well:
Additional Factors To Consider
In addition to the bridge design, there are a couple other things to pay attention to when deciding which Telecaster bridge is right for you.
Telecaster Bridge Plate
Some people feel that the bridge plate design makes a difference as well. Fender bridge plate thicknesses have varied throughout the years, depending on the model. Generally, the bridge plates on vintage Telecasters were thinner than more recent designs. That said, Fender typically specs their vintage-style models with period correct, thin steel bridge plates.
The Gotoh Modern Tele bridge (see below) is known for having a particularly beefy Brass bridge plate. In fact, due to the thickness of the plate, the Gotoh modern bridge is s ¼ lb heavier than some Tele bridges! Proponents of the design point to excellent stability and sustain of the Gotoh bridge. I have personally owned guitars with the Gotoh bridge and agree that its performance is excellent. It may not be the “twangiest” Tele bridge out there, but it is stable, sounds good, and the intonation is excellent.
Bridge Saddle Material
Another factor that comes into play is saddle material. The strings are in direct contact with the saddles, so it’s not surprising that there are some tonal differences. Brass, Steel, Titanium, Graphite, and Aluminum are common. While there are differences in tone, they are subtle. One interesting idea that people commonly try is mixing and matching saddle materials. For example, Brass on the low strings, and Steel on the high strings, or vice versa. While it’s not necessary to get into this level of customization, it’s good to know that you can, because a small change in tone might just be enough to move the needle on how a guitar sounds to you.
Recommended Telecaster Bridges
Vintage Style
Vintage style bridges replicate the look and feel of the original Tele bridge, and are often the only choice for Tele purists. The vintage bridges feature compensated saddles, which improve intonation as compared to non-compensated, true vintage 3-Barrel design.
Be sure to check your string spacing and mounting screws to determine if these bridges are direct fits for your guitar!
1. Wilkinson WTB Brass Compensated 3-Saddle Telecaster Bridge
Solid and reasonably priced, the Wilkinson WTB fits most American and Mexican-made Telecasters.
2. Fender Telecaster Chrome Bridge
From none other than Fender, this OEM bridge is always a good bet.
Modern 6 Saddle
Modern Tele bridges sacrifice some of the traditional look for improved intonation and string height adjustability.
1. Gotoh Modern Telecaster Bridge
The Gotoh bridge is a beefy version of the traditional Tele bridge. It has a thicker Brass baseplate.
2. Wilkinson Modern 6 Saddle Bridge
This is a reliable bridge from Wilkinson that comes in at an excellent price. Perfect for your partscaster or a direct replacement in most American and Mexican Telecasters.
Telecaster Toploader Bridge
If you want to explore the feel of a Top Load bridge, Fender has you covered. The great thing about this bridge is that it works as both a top loader and a regular string through bridge. This bridge features brass barrel saddles that are rounded off for comfort. In addition, the saddles are compensated for better intonation.
Conclusion
Many players feel that today’s compensated 3 Saddle bridges improve the intonation enough that they don’t need to look any further. Tradition tends to run strong among Telecaster players.
Still, the Modern bridge design has many supporters, including Nashville session legend Brent Mason. Fender’s Brent Mason signature Telecaster comes with a 6 saddle bridge, as does Andy Wood’s signature Suhr guitar.
Rest assured that whichever bridge style you choose, your Telecaster will still sound like a Tele.
For the vintage purists out there, don’t forget to pick up an ashtray cover!
