Bridge:
This is the updated and refined version of our acclaimed T-style bridge, but for a Humbucker! We've relieved the sides into an elliptical shape to facilitate picking and added a hybrid toploader/string through capability. Strings can be routed through the body or toploader style to yield different tension characteristics on each string. Because of our more robust construction, there is no loss of sustain or tone as with vintage-style toploader bridges!
After exhaustive testing of a wide variety of materials and thicknesses on various instruments of different types, we determined our current offering is the optimal tonal solution for any T-style guitar. Since it is essentially twice the thickness of a factory stamped ash-tray bridge, there is an increase in sustain and an emphasis on the fundamental note not present with a traditional stamped bridge. In practice, we have observed an increase in vitality on instruments that are otherwise lackluster and an enhancement on even the best specimen we tested. Essentially, we found our bridge to produce an increase in volume and resonance without sacrificing the inherent tone of the guitar.
This bridge is equally at home on a premium custom build that requires the finest components available, or an existing instrument that has not yet reached its potential! Our bridges are CNC machined from a solid billet of stainless steel and then lovingly hand finished to an attractive satin sheen. Fits vintage spec bridge patterns.
Please be aware that there isn't a 'standard' for humbucker route placement on Telecaster-style guitars, so if you have questions about dimensions or fit, don't hesitate to reach out!
About the VDH Monolithic Saddle:
Van Dyke-Harms started out with a singular goal in mind. Tone! Aesthetics are important, of course, but looks mean nothing if the tone isn’t there. From the very beginning, we’ve overthought every piece of hardware we make to wring out every last ounce of tone available, and then just a little more. Some parts, like our bridges, yield an immediately apparent improvement over factory offerings, while others are more subtle, like our neck plates. Of all the parts we’ve made with tone enhancement in mind, this is by far the most dramatic!
The VDH Monolithic Saddle is the culmination of every theoretical improvement that can be made to a Telecaster-style bridge arrangement, and the results speak for themselves! The Monolithic Saddle starts as a piece of 360 brass round stock, then hammered to yield a harder, more lively tone, similar to how cymbals are worked. Then, it is CNC machined to final dimensions, featuring compensated string slots with built-in radius, and 10-32 height adjustment screws (factory Fender screws are 4-40). Finally, it is treated in a chemical bath that yields a harder, more durable surface, in essence, pre-aging the brass.
The result is a much more lively instrument with massively increased sustain, stronger fundamental note, enhanced harmonics, and a well-balanced EQ that is rich and full, but retains all the clarity you expect from a great Telecaster! Achieving a setup is painfully simple as well!
Currently, all Monolithic Saddles will be made to order to reflect your required string radius, so please message those details. The Monolithic Saddle comes with all the necessary mounting hardware and springs, including hex wrenches for adjustment!