Bridge swap

[Marco]

Hello Everybody,
I'm still searching for a Tele...
Unfortunately here in Italy there aren't many music shops and in the best case they stock 1 piece per model so I'd go for internet buying...
Maybe I found an affordable Tele to modify.
Is a black MIM Std :
http://cgi.ebay.it/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...=STRK:MEWAX:IT
My concern is that I would like to put a vintage 3 brass saddles bridge, is it feasible? Also I would like to put Kluson tuners to obtain a vintage aspect.
What do you think about MIM Fenders?
Thank you very much.
Cheers,
Marco

[Gris]

Look for a MIM '50s classic. You can find them for $400 or so and they already have everything you want/need except decent pickups. They have better necks and an ash body as well.

[cwilliamrose]

These have a good reputation on this forum.

They can be had for less coin too.......Bill

[chuckocaster]

to answer your original question, a 3 saddle bridge will fit on a mexican standard telecaster. i've done it many times.

but, gris and cw have made some good suggestions that you might want to think about.

best of luck with your search.

[hippiebob01]

+1 on the Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster. I have the 60s Precision Bass model and it's easily as nice as the Fender's I own. IMO

[bluespckr]

Don't be afraid to check out eBay. It might take a while, but with patience, you can score some decent guitars for a reasonable price. I just grabbed a MIM ash Tele (see separate post) for under $400, and that price included a tweed hard case (no case or bag comes with them new).

They're out there -- you just have to find them.

Paul

[wingnut1]

I purchased a used 2008 Hwy1 Tele from Guitar Center's used dept off the Internet for $399. It only cost $12 shipping.

[NeoFauve]

On more recent MIM Stds, like the one you linked, the bridge swap is easy. There are 4 mounting and both the mounting and string holes are in the right place.

Older ones are a big hassle.

The Classic Vibe is a cool guitar, but the neck is quite slim.

I like Gris' idea, if you want more of a vintage feel.

[Marco]

Well, first of all, thanks to everybody!
I like Gris' idea but I'm a bit concerned about the 7.25" radius neck, I have always played flatter ones (both my 2 Strats are 9.5" and my Epis are 12").
As far as for the Squier I'm a bit worried about the pinewood body, isn't it too soft?
Now I discovered an online guitarshop located in EU that could solve my problems :-) , good prices and a huge stock!
The dilemma is still there, buy a new one or assemble it from spares?
I confess that I was so satisfied when I assembled my Strat that I'm likely to do the same with the Tele...
I'll let you know!
Cheers,
Marco

[dzguitar10]

You can't go wrong with the Squire by Fender CV Tele... I have one and it's a super guitar for the money and in my honest opinion better than a lot the MIM Tele's. I was skeptical but that soon faded when I went and picked it up at the local music store (it was back ordered for 8 weeks!). I use it all the time in my band. Oh I wouldn't be worried about the pine body either!

[DanD]

You can't go wrong with the Squire by Fender CV Tele... I have one and it's a super guitar for the money and in my honest opinion better than a lot the MIM Tele's. I was skeptical but that soon faded when I went and picked it up at the local music store (it was back ordered for 8 weeks!). I use it all the time in my band. Oh I wouldn't be worried about the pine body either!

+1

hands down much better than a standard MIM Tele. The Pine body is plenty tough, no issues. The bridge pup on a Standard MIM are a little ice piccky to my ears. No such problems with the CV, The Alnico IIIs are very smooth and low output. I highly recommend them.

[NTBluesGuitar]

You can't go wrong with the Squire by Fender CV Tele...

I'll third that motion.