Alternative, string through, hard tail bridge

Ddigger

Can anyone suggest any alternatives to the Fender (or copy) string-through, hard tail bridge?

I like this one from Axesrus which they called "flared".

https://www.axesrus.co.uk/Hard-Tail-Bridge-with-I-saddles-on-a-Vintage-Lip-p/bn103.htm

The only other bridge I have found so far is the Fender "Toronado" bridge, but it looks like an ashtray...

Spent a couple of hours looking, but just seem to turn up similar looking stuff on many, many sites.

Cheers,

Ddig

WezV

I prefer a cut down tele bridge to a hardtail strat style 

RickLucas

Me too.

rpr

https://www.axetec.co.uk/guitar_parts_uk_084.htm. ;

SteveRobinson

I recently used a Grainger bridge on a project. It was solid and well made (in the UK).

https://graingerguitarparts.com/products/grainger-hardtail-guitar-bridge

GSPBASSES

I've been using the bridge below in the link really well-made and a fraction of the price of similar Bridges.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203516332395

paulnb57

Wilkinson Tele half bridge?

Ddigger

Thanks for all the comments.

Grainger bridge looks good, but would want to see an example of the 'smoked nickel' one.  Looks really solid, but smoked nickel would be nearly £100!  Maybe a bit too modern.

I was thinking about a retro look (Fender Parallel universe look or something off kilter from the Ensenada factory).  I am looking at a hard tail strat body from guitar build with back routing for the controls, silver SG controls, Gibson style switch, HH pickups, small black 3 ply pickguard, sonic blue with a red competition stripe.  I liked the 'flared' end on the Axesrus bridge.

Half tail bridge with a cut down cover might work...

Ddigger

OK, I have found a bridge I like the look of...

https://imgur.com/a/40fmBI1

It is a Sterling bridge.

I had a look at Sterling/Music Man/Ernie Ball websites for parts, but can't find anyone selling a bridge.

Any ideas where to source a Sterling bridge?

paulnb57

Gut feeling you'll struggle, but it might be worth finding out which MM Sterling model(s) it is fitted to in order to narrow down the search, or in case someone is parting one out..

Edit, a bit of Googling and it looks like it is only fitted to the Sterling version of the Valentine…

stickyfiddle

Mastery do a variety of hardtails. I'm not sure I see the benefit compared with the JM/Jag bridge, but YMMV

https://masterybridge.com/hardtail-bridge/

ThePrettyDamned

stickyfiddle said:

Mastery do a variety of hardtails. I'm not sure I see the benefit compared with the JM/Jag bridge, but YMMV

https://masterybridge.com/hardtail-bridge/

Love the testimonials. 

There is something ethereal in the mastery saddles 

Ddigger

Yep, I agree, can't see many of the Sterling Valentines being parted out...  There doesn't seem to much trade in Sterling/MM parts, so I guess I will drop that option.

Ddigger

OK, I went with the "flared", hardtail bridge from Axesrus.

The photo wasn't great on the Axesrus website, but the bridge is much better in real life.

https://i.imgur.com/M1IY8xT.jpg

Here it is next to a Fender bridge.

https://i.imgur.com/WaSXnr1.jpg

The flared bridge is for another partscaster I am thinking about.  I may try with Fender saddles and see what it looks like.