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i don't suggest doing a string through as an early build. getting the ferrule spacing correct on the back side is tricky. if you have woodworking chops, then go for it. on the top setups there are quite a number of top mount bridges out there. along with others, gotoh also makes one. make sure you know your neck angle and where the strings want to meet the top of the saddles. each bridge is different insofar as how low it can go to the body.

filippo

Depends what you're looking for and what your budget is. I personally would not spend Floyd money on a hardtail. But there are lots of options available in all price ranges.
As to top load or string through, if you need string through holes you need some way to drill them straight, like a drill press. Unless you can live with a little inaccuracy, in which case if you're careful you can use a hand drill.
Most of the top loaders are going to be cheaply made unless you spend a decent amount, IME. An exception is GFS. Some of their tele top loaders are pretty decent. For a string through I like this one from them.
http://www.guitarfetish.com/Chrome-Hardtail-Bridge-for-Teles-and-Strats_p_158.html
A decent bridge that IMHO is almost as nice as a Gotoh of the same design at about 1/4 the price.

I've been eyeing up these hipshots, as well as the schaller roller bridge... Decisions decisions. Any ideas what sort of neck angles, if any, would be required? I suppose theres a lot of things to consider

+1 on that Mike. Also, I think GFS pickups are well worth the price on a budget build.
I installed some 'Lil buckers on a Tele build. Great twang-tastick sound.

but I think I will go with the Schaller roller, I've got about a degree and a half neck angle set right now, and the fretboard will be a 1/4", and I plan to use medium/highest fretwire, or jumbo. I figure with how adjustable that bridge is, I should be safe with that angle. But I like the mechanics of the bridge itself.

I like Schaller's flatmount hardtail... fully adjustable, lockable.
http://www.warmoth.com/Schaller-475-6-S ... -P575.aspx

Author:	msween [ Fri May 17, 2013 7:33 pm ]
Post subject:	hardtail bridges
Hey everyone, the build I'm presently working on, I've decided to go with a hardtail bridge, mostly for the simplicity in mounting, and the versatility of adjustment. I've never actually played a guitar with a hardtail, so I'm wondering what should I be looking for in a bridge? Does the string through vs. top mount make a HUGE difference? Are the $10 eBay ones a waste of time and money, should I be looking to fork out as much as I usually do for a floyd? I was originally planning a tune-o-matic, but i really don't think I like them much. The one guitar that I have with one doesn't get much play time, it just feels weird to me. I'm usually a floyd guy, but I want a guitar that is easy to switch tunings on, without going through all the adjustment required for floating trems. I love the look of the Hannes bridges by Schaller, but they seem a bit intimidating to install for a second build. Have any of you guys got experience with them, are they worth the money? ABM makes a really sharp looking hardtail, but hard to find. any and all advice appreciated, as always

Author:	Chris Pile [ Fri May 17, 2013 9:11 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: hardtail bridges
I like Schaller's flatmount hardtail... fully adjustable, lockable. http://www.warmoth.com/Schaller-475-6-S ... -P575.aspx

Author:	Mike Baker [ Fri May 17, 2013 10:16 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: hardtail bridges
Depends what you're looking for and what your budget is. I personally would not spend Floyd money on a hardtail. But there are lots of options available in all price ranges. As to top load or string through, if you need string through holes you need some way to drill them straight, like a drill press. Unless you can live with a little inaccuracy, in which case if you're careful you can use a hand drill. Most of the top loaders are going to be cheaply made unless you spend a decent amount, IME. An exception is GFS. Some of their tele top loaders are pretty decent. For a string through I like this one from them. http://www.guitarfetish.com/Chrome-Hardtail-Bridge-for-Teles-and-Strats_p_158.html A decent bridge that IMHO is almost as nice as a Gotoh of the same design at about 1/4 the price.

Author:	nutsdan [ Sat May 18, 2013 12:13 am ]
Post subject:	Re: hardtail bridges
I like the Hipshots, check them out http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_tailpieces/Electric_guitar,_non-trem_bridges/Hipshot_Hardtail_Bridge.html

Author:	Mattia Valente [ Sun May 19, 2013 2:31 am ]
Post subject:	Re: hardtail bridges
Hipshot for flatmount, Gotoh's 510 for 'wraparound' style.

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Author:	DeanGordonGuitars [ Sun May 19, 2013 7:54 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: hardtail bridges
Hipshot offers the best flatmount hardtails I know of.

Author:	msween [ Mon May 20, 2013 12:44 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: hardtail bridges
I've been eyeing up these hipshots, as well as the schaller roller bridge... Decisions decisions. Any ideas what sort of neck angles, if any, would be required? I suppose theres a lot of things to consider

Author:	dzsmith [ Mon May 20, 2013 5:57 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: hardtail bridges
Filippo Morelli wrote: i don't suggest doing a string through as an early build. getting the ferrule spacing correct on the back side is tricky. if you have woodworking chops, then go for it. on the top setups there are quite a number of top mount bridges out there. along with others, gotoh also makes one. make sure you know your neck angle and where the strings want to meet the top of the saddles. each bridge is different insofar as how low it can go to the body. filippo Excellent point worth emphasizing: make sure the saddle heights are within range for your setup.

Author:	dzsmith [ Mon May 20, 2013 6:02 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: hardtail bridges
Mike Baker wrote: Depends what you're looking for and what your budget is. I personally would not spend Floyd money on a hardtail. But there are lots of options available in all price ranges. As to top load or string through, if you need string through holes you need some way to drill them straight, like a drill press. Unless you can live with a little inaccuracy, in which case if you're careful you can use a hand drill. Most of the top loaders are going to be cheaply made unless you spend a decent amount, IME. An exception is GFS. Some of their tele top loaders are pretty decent. For a string through I like this one from them. http://www.guitarfetish.com/Chrome-Hardtail-Bridge-for-Teles-and-Strats_p_158.html A decent bridge that IMHO is almost as nice as a Gotoh of the same design at about 1/4 the price. +1 on that Mike. Also, I think GFS pickups are well worth the price on a budget build. I installed some 'Lil buckers on a Tele build. Great twang-tastick sound.

Author:	dzsmith [ Mon May 20, 2013 6:11 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: hardtail bridges
msween wrote: I've been eyeing up these hipshots, as well as the schaller roller bridge... Decisions decisions. Any ideas what sort of neck angles, if any, would be required? I suppose theres a lot of things to consider Hi Mark, I just installed a Schaller roller bridge on an Explorer build. My neck angle is only about 2-degrees, the top edge of the fretboard is 1/4" from the top of the body. Even with the supplied spacer, I had to add a 1/16" riser plate to get the saddle height correct. So far, this bridge is awesome: individual left/right, up/down, and intonation adjustments. Also, there's a locking screw to hold the saddles tightly together. No rattling. This bridge is better suited for a flat (Fender) build that a Gibson style build. DZ

Author:	Mike Baker [ Mon May 20, 2013 6:49 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: hardtail bridges
dzsmith wrote: +1 on that Mike. Also, I think GFS pickups are well worth the price on a budget build. I installed some 'Lil buckers on a Tele build. Great twang-tastick sound. I like GFS pickups as well, and not just for budget builds. I prefer their Vintage '59 humbucker over the Seymour Duncans I have used as a standard in the past(Jazz neck/JB bridge). Nice, fat cleans, and they push an amp into distortion rather well, and sound great doing it. Better than the Duncans, IMO. That's subjective, I know, but there it is.

Author:	msween [ Mon May 20, 2013 8:19 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: hardtail bridges
I had a set of GFS pickups before in a Dean Vendetta. They were really good, I was very happy with them. Crunchy PATS i think they were. This build in particular is getting a set of Bill Lawrence USA L-500's, an XL in the bridge and an R in the neck. Drilling for string through doesn't really intimidate me any, as I have a drill press, but I think I will go with the Schaller roller, I've got about a degree and a half neck angle set right now, and the fretboard will be a 1/4", and I plan to use medium/highest fretwire, or jumbo. I figure with how adjustable that bridge is, I should be safe with that angle. But I like the mechanics of the bridge itself. I see they offer a string through version now, But I've yet to see any available in North America On a side note, The other build I have on the go is a flying vee, neck through, with a string through tune-o-matic. I want to try to recess the bridge, mostly as I like the appearance, and also to reduce the neck angle needed. To get a proper 3-4 degree angle, I would need to plane too much of the face of the body. In retrospect, I should have put my angle into the neck itself before cutting anything, but I kept the neck section flat, and opted to plane the face of the body back. Live and learn, right?

Author:	Chris Pile [ Tue May 21, 2013 8:08 am ]
Post subject:	Re: hardtail bridges
Quote: but I think I will go with the Schaller roller, I've got about a degree and a half neck angle set right now, and the fretboard will be a 1/4", and I plan to use medium/highest fretwire, or jumbo. I figure with how adjustable that bridge is, I should be safe with that angle. But I like the mechanics of the bridge itself. Here's a tip for you: Once you get the string spacing set with the rollers, lock them in place with a touch of clear lacquer from a small brush. It will keep the rollers from moving during string changes later. I also used clear finger nail polish. If you need to move the rollers later, just touch the lacquer with a dot of thinner. When it dries, you'll be good to go!

Author:	Wednesday [ Wed May 22, 2013 4:53 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: hardtail bridges
Chris Pile wrote: I like Schaller's flatmount hardtail... fully adjustable, lockable. http://www.warmoth.com/Schaller-475-6-S ... -P575.aspx I have to say, I used this bridge on my one and only build and I love it. Very German, well built and heavy bridge. Give a nice fat tone.

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