Import strat?

[Eduardo]

hi everyone

As I posted on another topic, I'm having problems with my bridge. I have a 60th Anniversary Standard Stratocaster, Made in Mexico.

I was ready to buy a Wilkinson bridge when the seller told me, that by the measures I gave him (52mm from center-to-center of the mounting screws) I have a "import strat" bridge, what does that mean?

And also, where can I buy a quality bridge that fits my guitar?

Thanks once again, this is an excelent community, that's been very helpful.

Eduardo from Portugal

[Jonnda]

While you are waiting for an expert answer, I'd like to say that when modifying my guitars, the fill and drill method has become my friend.

As long as the screws are not all that visible, and screw placement is your only problem, then I say fill the old holes with a dowel covered with wood glue. Allow that to dry and drill the holes where you want them to be.

[Don]

Newer Strats and Teles have a narrower string spacing to keep the E straings away from the edges of the fretboard. The bridge mounting hole spacing changed accordingly.

If you put a traditionally spaced bridge on the guitar the E strings will be closer to the edge of the fretboard which can be a problem with a fretboard with rolled edges or frets that are overly bevelled on the ends.

I recommend that you use a bridge that fits in the original holes or upgrade your existing bridge with parts made for it from a source like Callaham.

[Eduardo]

yeah, I don't want to drill or fill anything.

I just want to find a quality bridge that fits the guitar.

I can't find any

[Jonnda]

www.callahamguitars.com

[Eduardo]

I need your help again!!

I bought a Wilkinson Vintage Retrofit Tremelo.
this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...DME:L:RTQ:US:1

in the description it said that it would fit any Fender Strat with 6 screw vintag tremelo bridges, but it doesn't fit mine!!

I'm confused, I don't know anymore what bridge will fit my guitar, can anyone help me please?

thanks once again

[jedi77]

Assuming that the bridge pictured is the one you received, it should fit with respect to the 6 pivot screws.

You can notice that the first screw hole is perfectly round - this is the first screw that you put in. The other screw holes are elongated to accomodate guitars with both vintage and modern string spacings.

Is it not fitting in some other way? If so, perhaps you could be more specific?

-Sean

[Eduardo]

hi Sean thanks for your reply..

that's correct, that's the bridge I received, and you're right, only the first screw hole is perfectly round. I put that first, but the other holes don't fit fine, it has a bigger spacing between the holes, so the holes don't line up, and the low-E is almost in the limit of the fretboard.

I'm sorry if I wasn't clear enough, let me know if you need me to explain it a little better (my english is not perfect, sorry)

Thank you
Eduardo from Portugal

[frank thomson]

sorry, i can't help....

but it's just hard to believe that you can't find that part....
...for the most popular guitar in the world!

good luck

[Eduardo]

yeah man that's very odd, I'm very confused myself.
hopefully someone will help me out on this one.

thanks

[goofballone]

Look here

http://store.guitarfetish.com/vitrfimekoch.html

[jedi77]

or here

http://www.callahamguitars.com/upgrades.htm

[Eduardo]

thank you, jedi77

in fact, I saw that site before buying the Wilkinson.
the only thing that stopped me from buying that bridge, is that they say it's a identical MIM Bridge unit, and I kinda wanted an upgrade, a higher quality bridge, you know?

what do you think?

thanks

[cdw2000]

Eduardo,
What part of the original bridge don't you like? Edit- I checked your other post and now know that you are breaking strings.

You can basically completely rebuild your bridge with the Callaham upgrade kit as jedi77 recommended. New trem block, new saddles, etc. Just about the only thing that is left original is the bridge plate.

I have not used their saddles, but I can highly recommend their replacement trem block.

Edit - I see now that the Callaham upgrade may not help you if the string breaks where it goes through the bridge plate. You can always go to your authorized Fender dealer and order another Fender bridge... according to the parts list, http://www.fender.com/support/diagra...002355APg3.pdf, you should order part number 0071014000. Good luck.

Other than that, for more help I think we will need measurements off your old bridge: pivot hole to pivot hole and string to string between low E and high E.


Cheers,
-- Chris

[Eduardo]

hi again everyone

thanks for your help cdw2000

I measured the holes in my strat and here's what I got:

center-to-center E to E: 52mm
center-to-center between holes: 1mm

can you help me out please?

I'm really loosing hope on this one

[Eduardo]

here's a picture of what happens when I try to fit the Wilkinson bridge...

sorry for the low quality picture:

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/4536/cimg0046dz8.jpg