How Hardware Affects Tone - Ask Zac 44

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How do changing bridges, saddles, and perhaps even tuners affect your guitar's tone? Today I take that on, looking at vintage style 3-saddle bridges vs heavy brass 6-saddle bridges, what to expect going from steel to brass saddles, and what happens when you install die-cast tuners. I close the show with a nod to one of the great Telecaster players in Nashville, Bill Hullett. I was reminded of him recently after watching Fender's release video for the Brent Mason Telecaster, where Joe Glaser refers to Hullett as "Mr. Telecaster." I also begin the show by playing Bill's fantastic intro to Radney Foster's "Just Call Me Lonesome."
Link to the AskZac website with more info on Bill Hullett.
www.askzac.com/post/how-hardw...
Gear used in Video:
2019 Danocaster Blackguard (1953 Telecaster Style) with Ron Ellis 52T (Bridge) and Julian Lage (Neck)
danocaster.com/
Strings:
Ernie Ball 10,13,15,24,32,42
Pick:
Blue Chip TPR 35 RB
Amp:
1967 Deluxe Reverb amp with Celestion V30 speaker
Effects used:
TC Polytune
Mirage compressor pedal
Boss DM-3
9v power via Truetone CS6 amzn.to/38S9rZK #askzac #guitartech #telecaster

Пікірлер: 405

  • @codyhudman2763
    @codyhudman27633 жыл бұрын

    "I could do a whole episode on pickups." Yes please! 😊 Thanks for another great episode Zac .

  • @dalehamon4295

    @dalehamon4295

    3 жыл бұрын

    Cody Hudman yes Alnico 2 and 3, 5, windings strength

  • @guymansfield-smith1135
    @guymansfield-smith11353 жыл бұрын

    My wife can tell that I’ve changed the hardware on my Tele. The dishes are still dirty when she gets home.😇

  • @Leel3ones89

    @Leel3ones89

    Жыл бұрын

    Omg! are you my biographer or something?

  • @maggieo
    @maggieo3 жыл бұрын

    Zac, you gotta make a "Clangy-Doinky" t-shirt, with an ashtray bridge on it!

  • @cowtowncustoms2110
    @cowtowncustoms21103 жыл бұрын

    As always, thanks for another great show! I use a vintage Fender bridge with Wilkinson brass compensated saddles and Schaller tuners. I have Seymour Duncan quarter pound pickups in it with flat poles. I do use a treble bleed on the volume pot and a "V" neck on it.

  • @3GCMusic
    @3GCMusic3 жыл бұрын

    Bill H is a great guy! When I was younger, Dad and I used to meet up with the Hulletts at Guitar Shows in town. We once got to go to his studio and playing his original Nocaster. One of the coolest gear moments that I’ve ever had!

  • @chrisspencer5042
    @chrisspencer50423 жыл бұрын

    That’s one of my favorite intros ever. You’re correct in that Bill is one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.

  • @chrisspencer5042

    @chrisspencer5042

    3 жыл бұрын

    Zach if you want to come to church sometime I’ll bet Bill would let you touch the Nachocaster. Those Ron Ellis pups in it are sweet.

  • @livergen
    @livergen2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you Zac, I've been watching you now for a couple weeks and just subscribed. Honestly I like the way you explain things and your easy-going nature, you bring a good understanding to just exactly what's going on. It all makes sense on the technical level of materials, your way of explaining slowly and thoroughly is very easy to digest and grasp the overall concepts.

  • @AskZac

    @AskZac

    2 жыл бұрын

    Awesome, thank you!

  • @donaldscheer5206
    @donaldscheer52063 жыл бұрын

    You have a smooth, purposeful authority with words when sharing your stories! Easy Listening! Easy Learning! being educated while in a Recliner! Fantastic!

  • @AskZac

    @AskZac

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you! 😃

  • @robertgandy1519
    @robertgandy15193 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for another great video. Lots of great information. I never knew who played the intro to Just Call Me Lonesome. I love that intro when a pick up a new Tele that’s almost always the first thing I play. There’s just something about it.

  • @cilantrokoolhaas7710
    @cilantrokoolhaas77103 жыл бұрын

    So, that's why I love your show: at 0:50, out of the blue, you mention an artist I had never heard of before, but know I will enjoy listening to, after a first listen on spotify. So often I come to your videos for one thing (hardware/tone) and get a ton of other wonderful information that I wasn't expecting at all. Thank you very much, Zac!

  • @AskZac

    @AskZac

    3 жыл бұрын

    Cool!

  • @jaybe813
    @jaybe8133 жыл бұрын

    This was a very interesting episode! It’s great to be armed with the information of how these parts will change the sound of a guitar, and even how the weight of those parts make a difference, in addition to the design materials they are made from.

  • @AskZac

    @AskZac

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Jay!

  • @hollandguitars7086
    @hollandguitars7086 Жыл бұрын

    Good stuff Zac. Everyone is chasing tone and the tone and feel can be the difference between being creative, going to new worlds in music, and playing with inspiration. 😎

  • @pcau
    @pcau3 жыл бұрын

    Extremely informative video. As usual, you capture attention and are very generous with details. Thank you :)

  • @AskZac

    @AskZac

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you very much!

  • @Chrosa
    @Chrosa3 жыл бұрын

    Ever since I subbed a few months ago and watched your truetone lounge interviews I have started listening to a lot of older country artists. When I enlisted a decade ago, I hated country but my army buddies got me into artists like Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Gary Allan and Eric Church. You have really opened up a rabbit hole for me with Merle Haggard and other classic artists and guitarists. I just wanted to thank you for all the content and I am super happy with my Ask Zac shirt!

  • @AskZac

    @AskZac

    3 жыл бұрын

    Glad you are enjoying the Hag, and honored that you supported the show. Thank you!

  • @Jamestele1
    @Jamestele12 жыл бұрын

    I knew I knew that lick at the beginning. I was just playing Just Call Me Lonesome yesterday - one of my favorite tunes!

  • @crubenbauer1
    @crubenbauer13 жыл бұрын

    Zac, I installed a Jay Montrose "Vintique" bridge, many years ago on my main Telecaster. It performs well to this day, with no complaints. If it's good enough for Danny Gatton, it's good enough for me. Keep up the great work!!.

  • @MrDotneck
    @MrDotneck3 жыл бұрын

    Looks like my Tele has all the right parts. Thanks for bringing up Bill Hullett - just listened to his Two Lane Blacktop album the other day. Love your videos btw - always informative and entertaining.

  • @AskZac

    @AskZac

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you

  • @mrcatfishjohnson
    @mrcatfishjohnson2 жыл бұрын

    Great video Zac! I'm in the process of sourcing parts for a tele parts caster. There's a wealth of info here. Thanks!!!!

  • @AskZac

    @AskZac

    2 жыл бұрын

    Glad I could help!

  • @brettwolf
    @brettwolf2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks a bunch Zac, this was the episode I really needed. I have a 1970 Fender Telecaster, with a 1972 Fender Bridge Pickup, and a Fender Custom Shop Neck Pickup. The guitar also has replaced Brass Compensated Saddles. My problem is that the bridge pickup turned all the way up sounds harsh and unmusical. I have played other vintage tele’s with the volume all the way up, and they sounded great. I thought maybe it’s the brass saddles, but, watching this episode leases me to believe I should either have the bridge pick up rewound, or replaced. Cheers

  • @s9plus20
    @s9plus203 жыл бұрын

    I had never thought about tuners affecting tone! It sure does make sense about mass vs harmonics. Another great episode, thanks!

  • @AskZac

    @AskZac

    3 жыл бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it!

  • @amateurism1
    @amateurism12 жыл бұрын

    I wish you were my nextdoor neighbor. Thank you for all these videos; they are very well done and it's just you talking to us all sharing what you know and love.

  • @AskZac

    @AskZac

    2 жыл бұрын

    Wow, thank you

  • @ColasTone82
    @ColasTone823 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the shoutout our Offset Compensated saddles. I’ve been a tele player for a long time and put a lot of time in designing those saddles to fix issues I was running into with other saddles on the market. Great video, very informative and thorough!

  • @AskZac

    @AskZac

    3 жыл бұрын

    Which saddles did you design?

  • @ColasTone82

    @ColasTone82

    3 жыл бұрын

    Ask Zac The saddles for Advanced Plating which Philadelphia Luthier sells.

  • @hkguitar1984
    @hkguitar19843 жыл бұрын

    Great episode. And yes, your description of hardware and how it effects tone is spot on (from my experience). I'd be very curious to hear your take on different woods and how they affect the Telecaster's tone. I own only a pair of Telecasters, one with a Pine Body and Maple neck/fretboard and another that is 100% Rosewood construction. While each has very different tonal/voicing profile they both are easily recognizable as being Telecasters when listening to them being played. Thanks Zac, great content here.

  • @AskZac

    @AskZac

    3 жыл бұрын

    I'll do one on woods soon

  • @jakehughes4482
    @jakehughes44823 жыл бұрын

    James Burton uses one of those six-saddle type bridges on his Paisley! I considered putting one on the Allparts pink Paisley i built as i am a huge James Burton/Elvis fan. I ended up going with the ashtray as i just couldn't force myself to enjoy the look of the six saddle type. I just love the vintage look of the ashtray! Great episode Zac, greetings from Australia.

  • @islander4986
    @islander49863 жыл бұрын

    I remember being shocked by the weight change I felt when I installed some modern style tuners on a neck for a project guitar. I'd been working on and handling the neck without tuners for several days. The heft that tuners like these have could very well be a tone factor.

  • @parismetro2012
    @parismetro2012 Жыл бұрын

    Most interesting and knowledgeable ~ thanks Zac! I’ve often wondered about the resonances in the steel ashtray surrounding the pickup…

  • @AskZac

    @AskZac

    Жыл бұрын

    Glad it was helpful!

  • @petertiffany8096
    @petertiffany80963 жыл бұрын

    Just call me lonesome. Nice intro. Radney Foster. One of my favorites.

  • @caleshtcincredibles
    @caleshtcincredibles3 жыл бұрын

    I put an Australian tiger maple neck on my tele and it greatly changed the tone . It became very creamy tone rather than that trebley twangy tone . I have to say I really like what the new neck did for my tone . I have a modern bridge , Fender locking tuners ( they are quite heavy )and Fender SCN pickups. It's a great sounding guitar that can twang or rock with a Les Paul growl . Cheers Zac

  • @Theweeze100
    @Theweeze1003 жыл бұрын

    Man I’ve learned a ton from your channel!!! Thanks for all you give!

  • @AskZac

    @AskZac

    3 жыл бұрын

    My pleasure!

  • @texanleons
    @texanleonsАй бұрын

    I'm learning things i didnt know that i didnt know. Very informative.

  • @robamaral9089
    @robamaral90892 жыл бұрын

    Great show. Plink,plonk, doing, flank and flink etc. I have this picture in my mind that the Tele is the child of the banjo.

  • @reverbdeluxe
    @reverbdeluxe3 жыл бұрын

    It is a great lick! I miss that 90's country sound on the radio these days.

  • @alexchejlyk7764
    @alexchejlyk77642 жыл бұрын

    Great info, thanks for sharing your knowledge.

  • @charles-ul9uo
    @charles-ul9uo3 жыл бұрын

    Everything with you is master class.

  • @AlexandredeSanti
    @AlexandredeSanti3 жыл бұрын

    I'd love a show on Nashville teles and middle pickup options.

  • @warren7949

    @warren7949

    2 жыл бұрын

    I always think Nashville teles miss a 4 pole selector. A 4 pole switch opens up the strat factor, and allows the middle selection to be kept as the tele neck and bridge pickups together

  • @willdenham
    @willdenham3 ай бұрын

    I'm using the Sire T7. It's my first Tele. It came with brass saddles, flat pole pieces on the bridge and the ashtray. I really like this guitar. It was set high out of the box and I just left it that way because it plays well.

  • @watchshowandtell7138
    @watchshowandtell71383 жыл бұрын

    Cool video for all of us Tone Experimenting Madmen! Greetings from Oregon.

  • @el0blaino
    @el0blaino Жыл бұрын

    Wonderful episode, Zac, glad KZread put it in front of me. I finally found myself wanting an instrument but being unable to afford it, so getting one that feels great but doesn't have quite the sound - not growly enough ... so now I am thinking, do I need to modify it? Am I now ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE???! lol

  • @Shaddow-ws3vu
    @Shaddow-ws3vu2 жыл бұрын

    I use a Joe Barden bridge on one of my telecasters and I completely agree, it does split the difference. I also run a set of lindy frailin’s that same one!

  • @hybridnoisebloom
    @hybridnoisebloom3 жыл бұрын

    As you know, I'm just getting my feet wet with the experience of the Tele--I recently did a partscaster Tele with a Joe Barden bridge (with compensated brass saddles), and I'm in love with it. I feel like I'm at the apex of a possible deep dive into the tonal possibilities of Teles. All of a sudden I want to do a Tele with a rosewood neck, a Fender bridge, and notched steel saddles. It's in fact a sickness, but in a good way.

  • @lastofthe4horsemen279
    @lastofthe4horsemen2792 жыл бұрын

    Love going back to old episodes. Different days really affect my tone.I have a Tele Deluxe with two TV Jones Filtertrons and it really blisters on rainy days .Maybe all in my head but I spent the whole day playing it and it was awesome 👌 Love this channel Like to hear your thoughts on dual humbucker Telecasters. I love mine it really rings out.Also have a Seafoam Green one USA 2003 with a Nashville setup and a Hipshot Bender.Think I'll go Play it now...

  • @AskZac

    @AskZac

    2 жыл бұрын

    Going to do a dual hum Tele episode soon.

  • @jonathanbrazee3846
    @jonathanbrazee38463 жыл бұрын

    I've got 1 tele and I'm always going back and forth between the Gotoh and the 3 saddle ashtray. I like them both for different reasons.

  • @jimmyc5498
    @jimmyc54983 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Zac, great info. Will you be covering anything on string thru body vs ball end on the bridge, string tension and tone differences. Thanks again, also got to check out Pete Anderson whom I didn’t know about.

  • @tsmberk
    @tsmberkАй бұрын

    I have the same hardware preferences as you, Zac- lightweight tuning machines and bridges, saddle material to taste. There is a ton of minutiae in saddle metals (as you almost surely know). Fun stuff!

  • @telecasterbear
    @telecasterbear3 жыл бұрын

    The beginning of that just call me Lonesome riff reminded me of Ernest Tubb and Loretta Lynn's sweet thang.

  • @maxwhitten8376
    @maxwhitten83763 жыл бұрын

    Thanks again Zac! Questions answered

  • @curtisfranklin6830
    @curtisfranklin68303 жыл бұрын

    Great Jac. Im gonna make a bridge out of copper to match my pick guard and control panel. See how that sounds.

  • @drno2141
    @drno2141 Жыл бұрын

    very interresting..i use top load brigde with brass saddles and ashtray cover..and a lefty metal bridge . gonna try the turners with some fender schaller

  • @louderthangod
    @louderthangod3 жыл бұрын

    I think the concept of choosing the fundamental vs harmonics is a deep well and understanding that balance can help people better make their tonal choices.

  • @AskZac

    @AskZac

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yes

  • @jfinester
    @jfinester3 жыл бұрын

    I knew Bill Hullett when we were both playing in the San Jose area in Northern California, before either of us went to Nashville. He’s a great guy and a terrific guitar player. I haven’t seen him in years. If you see him, tell him I said Hey!

  • @gimmeagig
    @gimmeagig2 жыл бұрын

    Great video. I'm a bass player mainly so I just bought a cheap chinese Tele. I'm not good enough on guitar to gig with it but I enjoy playing it. I don't have the ears for all the nuances. This is video is helping me a lot.

  • @guitareveryone
    @guitareveryone3 жыл бұрын

    Great episode Zac. You're absolutely right. Hardware can change a guitars sound in a way that a different speaker can affect an amps tone. Of course tone is subjective but if you want a true tele tone you need less heavy hardware and a 3 saddle bridge. I prefer the 50's tone with brass saddles and flat pole piece pickups. However I like other tones too. Which is why I'm a guitar addict I guess. It's amazing though how many great legendary guitar players achieved their tone from their guitars and don't have any real technical knowledge of how to achieve it. They just know what they want and great tech guys do the work to achieve their dream tone.

  • @thesjkexperience
    @thesjkexperience4 ай бұрын

    I used the vintage style for many years with brass saddles, but I really like the vintage Rutters bridge! Just what I want to hear. Im a Strat guy so I like Broadcaster saddles (cold rolled steel), Rutters bridge, vintage tuners and A3 flat pole pickups in the bridge (no real preference on 43 or 42 wire) and a5 in the neck with nickel silver cover. 4 way switch. Swamp Ash and Maple!

  • @bobhewitt5047
    @bobhewitt50473 жыл бұрын

    As ever Zac, well presented - interesting and educational

  • @AskZac

    @AskZac

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Bob!

  • @acmercker5941
    @acmercker59413 жыл бұрын

    Another excellent episode Zac... and fun. Keep 'em coming.

  • @AskZac

    @AskZac

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks again!

  • @mgcnashville6615
    @mgcnashville66153 жыл бұрын

    Also, stewmac came out with a heavy steel plate/compensated 3 barrel brass saddle bridge for tele. If you’ve played a suhr tele, they have this bridge on them. Sam ash in Hendersonville has a suhr in stock right now. One of the best guitars I’ve ever played.

  • @mgcnashville6615

    @mgcnashville6615

    3 жыл бұрын

    The brass saddles have a screw in the middle to lock the saddle in place as well, so your intonation won’t go out.

  • @periloustemple8290
    @periloustemple82903 жыл бұрын

    Such a cool episode. I actually have one of those 1982 Fender STRAT's. It is crazy heavy (but not uncomfortable) and has a big, brass, electroplated gold bridge/trem - with a big brass block.. In fact, all of the hardware is gold plated. It is an unusually great Fender that as from the CBS era. It has a bridge pickup called X-1 which is a bit hot. Anyway, to your point, there is a compression - and a hugeness about this one. While I am at it, it had odd wiring that allows for using bridge and neck together like a tele (in series?) and all 3 in series. There are two parallel settings (bridge/middle & neck middle). These are very humbucker but almost too dark for practical use. I have heard the Isley Brothers had one - and I have seen the Walnut one in old Tears for Fears footage. Last, John Lennon's Imagine has him pictured with the candy apple red one. I have read that it was going to be a Lennon signature guitar, but that was not to be as he was killed soon after. Anyway, that Buck Owens Tele had a similarly made brass bridge.

  • @cletussea-ray944
    @cletussea-ray9443 жыл бұрын

    Guitar geeking at its finest! Thank you Zac!

  • @johnadkins7711
    @johnadkins77113 жыл бұрын

    When I heard that intro lick I immediately knew I was familiar with it and was trying to figure out which classic Dwight Yoakam song it was and then you said Pete Anderson thought it was him, lol.

  • @sebastiannai4381
    @sebastiannai43813 жыл бұрын

    Looking forward to the pickups episode. From what I understand, some of the early Blackguards have the 43 ga wire. I recently tried a Alnico III 43 gauge wind and it's quite a bit different sounding. I wonder if that's what was in Mr. Hullett's blackguard.

  • @jackiejtheg
    @jackiejtheg3 жыл бұрын

    So much good information in these videos! I'm having a tele built for me right now by Kraig Phillips in Columbus Ohio. His whole goal is light light light keep it light. The body he found for me is -4 lbs

  • @jackiejtheg

    @jackiejtheg

    3 жыл бұрын

    I originally wanted 22 frets, locking tuners, he said no trust me you won't be missing the extra fret, and the classic tuners are light and period correct. You're making me really consider the individual saddles tho like Brent mason

  • @harleylewis5974
    @harleylewis59743 жыл бұрын

    100% agree on Tele hardware. I’ve done the exact same hardware swap with every Tele I’ve had for the past 10 years. Vintage ashtray + Kluson tuner + brass = Love. And I couldn’t agree more on “Just Call Me Lonesome”. Fantastic Zac!

  • @AskZac

    @AskZac

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks, Harley!

  • @justinrayguitars6024
    @justinrayguitars60243 жыл бұрын

    Sounds like I'm on the right track with my Esquire project. Ashtray bridge, brass saddles and a Twang King pu. I remember going to Bill Anderson's City lights show at the high school here in Commerce back in the 90s. There was a young man there that could tear up a Tele. I said " I don't know who this Brad Paisley kid is but he's good."

  • @producerman10030
    @producerman100303 жыл бұрын

    I came up playing a '67 maple cap tele with the steel saddles. Very bright guitar bordering on microphonic. I had a full sized 60s gibson humbucker in the neck. That guitar got me through until I picked up a '55 tele at We Buy on W. 48th st. That guitar had a flat pole piece bridge pickup. Eventually it had Schaller machine heads and a Schecter bridge (and for a little while Schecter pickups and a brass pickguard) and mostly I used that guitar in the pit of Grease, as old tele's were the best guitars for that gig. I used a strat for session work (mostly). In NYC you kind of brought what you could shove in a cab. I also installed a humbucker in that tele, and flattened the neck and put in wide jumbo frets. Used it on fusion gigs and recordings as well. NYC was a real tele town in the 70s.

  • @AskZac

    @AskZac

    3 жыл бұрын

    Cornell Dupree and Mike Stern

  • @producerman10030

    @producerman10030

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@AskZac Joe Beck, Steve Kahn, Jack Cavari, Bob Rose, Cliff Morris, all busy guys in the 70s. A really popular mod was a mini humbucker in the neck.

  • @seamanjive
    @seamanjive3 жыл бұрын

    My money maker...blonde nitro refin Highway 1 body, Warmoth rosewood compound radius neck (birdseyes, nitro), kluson -style "slotted" tuners, Fender vintage bridge with three brass Wilkinson compensated saddles (no notches), black single ply guard, Earvana compensated nut and....Lace pickups. When we built it this tele had a Wilkinson 6 saddle vintage bridge, soon changed to the Gotoh unit you have there. Then the brass saddles on the Fender vintage bridge...the guitar came alive!

  • @jesseter24
    @jesseter243 жыл бұрын

    I use a BABICZ full contact bridge with a tall boy Reo Grand pup, I enjoy it, tried 3 different Bridges and keep going back to the BABICZ. I don't use a tele neck pup but a strat neck pup. Sounds and plays great to my ears. 09 Americano special, ripped out the Texas specials. left the grease pot but added a different cap, don't remember the value. But wow is all I can say. What a great sound

  • @AskZac

    @AskZac

    3 жыл бұрын

    Good stuff!

  • @davidceredig-evans8772
    @davidceredig-evans877211 ай бұрын

    Another cracking episode! Thank you.

  • @AskZac

    @AskZac

    11 ай бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it

  • @markroylance1584
    @markroylance15843 жыл бұрын

    Hey Zac ! Just hearing about hurricane coming your way. Please stay safe X

  • @andrewpearson1903
    @andrewpearson1903 Жыл бұрын

    My brass-saddled, flat-bridge poled Tele (Original 50s with stock Pure Vintage 52s) sounds pretty mellow, and the neck pickup gives me something like the rolled-off Jeff Buckley-ish sound that I was looking for. Very surprised to learn about the effect of tuners & general mass on harmonics vs. fundamental - one of the things I like best about mine is its ability to get long, airy sustains, with just enough compression to make it sizzle and gorgeous harmonic feedback that never turns to noise. Maybe reducing my tuner size will bring out even more of that. Great clip, I'll watch the pickup and wood episodes too

  • @druwk
    @druwk3 жыл бұрын

    Thinking of building a Tele guitar...? All these conversations are really amazing! Your tip of having the neck not hooked into the tone seems like a good one? Had a ‘66 Tele that could have benefited from that mod. Please cover tone woods!

  • @AskZac

    @AskZac

    3 жыл бұрын

    Will do

  • @joeldowdy404
    @joeldowdy4043 жыл бұрын

    Good stuff today Zach!!

  • @mikecamps7226
    @mikecamps72263 жыл бұрын

    Here is food for thought......and I'll be expecting royalties, since the tele bridge pieces are essentially brass cylinders......you can find some steel tubing that they would fit into so you have a steel sheath around the brass for the best of both worlds. You would really only need a piece that fits between the height adjustment screws and drill the hole for the main screw for intonation so there is clearance. If the sleeve happens to be an odd size that is slightly too large/small, you can cut a slot in it and position the slot at the bottom when fixing it over the brass before drilling the hole. This would just be a sleeve over the brass, but if you would want a more solid coupling....you could sweat solder the 2 together like a plumbing joint. As for tubing, you can find it at a hobby shop or you can use brake line for cars

  • @tomk1tl39
    @tomk1tl393 жыл бұрын

    Dang, another great vid from ZAC...........I'm now loving my Tele even more ;-))

  • @geraldponce8336
    @geraldponce83364 ай бұрын

    A sound comparison would be nice. Im in the Gotah solid brass bridge and fender locking tuners camp. Grew up playing a 83 telecaster, so I am used to the mass. Like to build what I call vintage ultra parts Teles. Cause I like slightly hot vintage output pups, nitro finish, CTS pots, vintage tone wood and color schemes. No body contours or contoured heel (though that could be a way to compensate for the extra mass) after that it is ultra modern, locking tuners, solid brass bridges, tall narrow frets, compound radius, c shape necks, copper shielding, twisted light gauge modern wire, orange drop capacitors. Suppose your are right. Just a Tele with some umf and a faster feel. But still has some of that Tele twang and vintage sound? Probably in the Keith Richards camp. Maybe a little smoother sounding.

  • @James_RC
    @James_RC3 жыл бұрын

    Great episode again Zac. It's interesting how Fender have moved away from ashtray plates to ones with no sides. I wonder if this was tonally motivated at all or purely for playing comfort? I know Jim Campilongo who has a 59 top loader Tele likes these sideless bridge plates. Also I was reading recently about how Ted Greene was asked by Fender to work with them back in the 80s when they were looking to design their 52 reissue as he had quite a collection of 50s teles and esquires. His favourite had quite an interesting pickup configuration. Looking forward to your woods episode.

  • @AskZac

    @AskZac

    3 жыл бұрын

    The lack of sides is for comfort

  • @mtndon329
    @mtndon3293 жыл бұрын

    I was thinking about it and you mentioned it; do an episode on pick ups. Do any of your guitars have humbuckers in them? I have a traditional style parts caster and I’m thinking about replacing my Les Paul with another tele style but equipped with humbuckers. Love your shows

  • @AskZac

    @AskZac

    3 жыл бұрын

    I wish I had a Tele with buckers

  • @tannerduckworth6567
    @tannerduckworth65673 жыл бұрын

    Love the channel Zac!! Maybe one day on the TrueTone Lounge you could interview Jimmy Olander?

  • @paulcowart3174
    @paulcowart31743 жыл бұрын

    I used a shorty ashtray bridge on my current build No pick blocks or metal surround on the pup

  • @Matt_on_life
    @Matt_on_life Жыл бұрын

    Great video! I’ve just ordered that gotoh bridge just before finding this video. But, I’m not a country guy, and it’s going on a squire offset tele… blasphemy I know 🤣

  • @stevesuv
    @stevesuv3 жыл бұрын

    Zac?I have 3 guitars with P90s in them. I saw a picture of Danny Gattons old 295. he had the screws backed way out on some strings, and others not so much.I knew enough to make shims out of P90 covers to level everyhing out, and they work great, but I was alway afraitd to turn those screws. Its got to ruin the potting ...right. were they built to back out. Love all your stuff.

  • @user-mr5zg3bu8k
    @user-mr5zg3bu8k7 ай бұрын

    People from Tennessee have the most understated charm...I can't get enough of it.

  • @Chrishagen
    @Chrishagen3 жыл бұрын

    Great analysis!

  • @jbert7289
    @jbert72893 жыл бұрын

    “Telecaster” what a great guitar. I love my tele. It’s a 87 mij squier with Joe Barden pickups. It’s the one that would be with me on a deserted island. Please do a telecaster pickup video. As always, great video.

  • @caleshtcincredibles

    @caleshtcincredibles

    3 жыл бұрын

    I love Joe Barden pickups they make a tele punch above its weight for sure. I have an 87 Squire Strat made in Korea and it's a beast

  • @jbert7289

    @jbert7289

    3 жыл бұрын

    caleshtcincredibles: those old 80’s squiers are so good. Cheers

  • @mikecamps7226
    @mikecamps72263 жыл бұрын

    one thing you might want to add and explore.......and I saw this published a few years back in a guitar magazine......though I can't remember if it was Vintage Guitar or not......BUT it is to take the bridge and plain it on a flat surface and emery cloth. This eliminates any stamping or casting flaws so the surface becomes perfectly flat which couples the material to the body better for transference when its fastened down snug and tight to the wood......no micro voids. I run a Broadcaster/NoCaster clone with a heavy ash body but not set up with the electronics for the "blend" setup peculiar to the early ones. I opt'd for the conventional 3 way with the basic combined in the mid position. AND the baseball bat neck.......

  • @AskZac

    @AskZac

    3 жыл бұрын

    Bill Crook does that

  • @Rigel7WasAlreadyUsed
    @Rigel7WasAlreadyUsed3 жыл бұрын

    I have a MIM Standard that I got new in the late '90s. Swapped the stock bridge for a vintage one in 2011 or so and instantly noticed an "openness" and never went back, but I enjoy your viewpoint on the modern bridge (which apparently is still newer than me :P).

  • @ryann5247
    @ryann52472 жыл бұрын

    I like the sound of the old 70's mighty mite brass keyhole saddles. You used to be able to get surplus ones for cheap. Now you can get them from armadillo guitars

  • @hearpalhere
    @hearpalhere3 жыл бұрын

    Very cool episode Zac, I really enjoyed it. I first heard about the tuners having an impact on tone from my friend who is a luthier and guitar builder. I had him refret my Silvertone Bobkat and had asked him to replace the tuners. He advised me against it and I'm glad I listened... who knows how much of the guitar's mojo I would have lost if I had put some modern tuners on there? My wife calls that one "The Magic Guitar" because it has so much character and vibe. You just strum a chord and the whole thing resonates.

  • @ericgould435
    @ericgould4352 жыл бұрын

    Great info, wisdom and knowledge

  • @AskZac

    @AskZac

    2 жыл бұрын

    Much appreciated

  • @thornil2231
    @thornil2231 Жыл бұрын

    I put the Schaller bridge on my 67 tele in the 90's because... that's what Keith was doing so... And because you can adjust each string separately and be more precise. A few months back I put the original bridge back, because I have a few guitars and the tele was becoming a collector item. Now I just love the way it sounds. That guitar is fantastic. The question is" is it in my head? Did the bridge really make a difference? A new guitar is always the best guitar it seems. I play better it sounds better. What would be great would be to hear the same lick with the same amp and the same settings with both bridges... I am not going to do that, but maybe someone should... LOL

  • @atarirob
    @atarirob3 жыл бұрын

    A lot of older players have told me that late 50's Les Pauls (i.e., last of the Goldtops, early bursts) sound very very similar to Blackguard Telecasters and I'm inclined to believe that. Blackguards are way more mellow than people give them credit for. They are not bright sounding guitars (not even the bridge is particularly bright imo). I've used a 52 Tele+Princeton setup for a year or so now playing mostly classical and jazz (sometimes blues) and I have to have the Princetons Treble on 7 at the minimum!

  • @tomfoolery2082
    @tomfoolery20823 жыл бұрын

    Exchanging necks n all tht crazy stuff , just sounds like an aveage guitar player where im from . And tht vid on pups , yeah do tht 1 . Love the channel .

  • @AskZac

    @AskZac

    3 жыл бұрын

    You sound like my kind of cat

  • @airdog1829
    @airdog1829 Жыл бұрын

    The Gotoh 'in tune' saddles are nice. They make them in brass and titanium.

  • @hamishmcfenda4197
    @hamishmcfenda41972 жыл бұрын

    Hi Zac any comments as to whether the tone of the bridge pickup is "better" when jt is mounted in a magnetic or non magnetic bridge? For eg the maker of Hahn guitars claims a magnetic steel bridge gives better tone. Thanks.

  • @patrickpalmer3374
    @patrickpalmer33743 жыл бұрын

    This is what I want to know, I bought a fancy scrolled plate off eBay and wondering if the original chrome one is better for tone transfer.

  • @reynoldjustforfun6347
    @reynoldjustforfun63473 жыл бұрын

    Yeah I completely agree with this video. Have you ever tune your tele with tuner pedal?. It said C on the tuner screen when you pluck the thinnest E string. It's gone when you change your vintage bridge into modern bridge. Funny

  • @AskZac

    @AskZac

    3 жыл бұрын

    Never had that issue

  • @joshuakoyukuk6381
    @joshuakoyukuk63813 жыл бұрын

    Lots if great info zac. This made me wonder if the same stuff applies to strats. Could there be a sonic difference between a vintage style 6 point bridge versus a modern 2 point? Or even trem block materials?

  • @AskZac

    @AskZac

    3 жыл бұрын

    It makes a huge difference in Strats too

  • @nickbenjamin6527
    @nickbenjamin65273 жыл бұрын

    Very well explained Zac! I agree on the angled unslotted saddles: the strings always slide sideways up hill messing up the string spacing and intonation. Have you tried Gotoh's notched and compensated "In-Tune" saddles?

  • @AskZac

    @AskZac

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yes, and AP's originals, that Gotoh copied.

  • @nickbenjamin6527

    @nickbenjamin6527

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@AskZac ain't it always the way: Taylor copied my Scoop cutaway recently and ruined it by drilling a hole in the middle to add insult to injury...

  • @skillracoonful
    @skillracoonful2 жыл бұрын

    I have a tele with 6 saddle bridge it does ok but I have previously played teles with a three saddle bridge, and that one had more treble (I would refer it to more like a "zing", and a bit more snarl rather than a doink). I noticed it would sound a bit more syrup-y in the middle position too (Though I can still get one with a six saddle). It also sounded more phase-y sounding in the middle position too (now THIS I can't get on my six saddle). Also very bell-like sounding in the middle position. (To some agreed I can get it with the six saddle design but it's still doesn't sound clear enough than the three saddle design). It too also had vintage styled tuners compared to the modern one on my current tele. The pickups were alnico and were lower wounded than the stock pickups in my tele (which I replaced with brighter sounding pickups. The stock pickups had too much low end for me). This change was a night and day difference! So even with updated pickups I still wasn't able to get a satisfying live-y sound from it unlike I got it from the other tele that had the three saddle bridge design and vintage-styled tuners. So you have inspired me to replace the bridge on my current tele with a three saddle one. You have also inspired me to replace the tuners on my current tele with the Kluson tuners! I want my zing, snarl, bell-like, and phase-y sounds back! Thank you for this video. You did a awesome job in explaining the details about how hardware does affect the tone but you also went to further detail about pickups too. Which you also gave great advice on as well! Keep up the great work!!

  • @dallastoto3189
    @dallastoto31893 жыл бұрын

    I’m one of the PLEASE tell me more about pups. Especially the noise canceling and low output vs high output. Cheers 🍻

  • @AskZac

    @AskZac

    3 жыл бұрын

    I did an episode on pickups. kzread.info/dash/bejne/Y2GIusaBhrW7j7w.html

  • @CraigRMerriman
    @CraigRMerriman3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you Zac!