Top Loading Teles

[TelePaul]

Anyone ever heard of these? I read somewhere they were run for one year oly -1983 I think - and that they're exceptional instruments.

Whats a top-loading bridge anyways?

 

[lesterpaul]

String through bridges have holes drilled through the bottom of the bridge, and though the body for the strings, top loaders go though the back of the bridge. Some people claim you get more sustain, tone, resonance from the string through. I prefer string though, but there are some good tone out of toploaders too.

 

[MessianicDreams]

Whats a top-loading bridge anyways?

that's like what a LP has.

 

[Anfontan]

Thru the body is by far better-I've had both and researched them, more sustain and cleaner notes with string thru.

 

[TelePaul]

So whats the perceived advantage?

 

[32-20-Blues]

So whats the perceived advantage?

I wasn't aware that there were any. A shallow break angle over the bridge is thought by some to be a detriment to tone, but then again, those playing Les Pauls don't seem to have a problem.

If you really want one...
www.wdmusic.com/fender_telecaster_reg_tele_guitar_24666_prd1.htm

I'll fit it for ya.

 

[ermghoti]

So whats the perceived advantage?

The manufacturer doesn't have to drill six extra holes and fit them with ferrules. It's arguably a little easier to feed the strings from the front of the guitar.

 

[Anfontan]

The manufacturer doesn't have to drill six extra holes and fit them with ferrules. It's arguably a little easier to feed the strings from the front of the guitar.

Yes, that would be the main advantage-for the manufacturer!

 

[RandyW]

The manufacturer doesn't have to drill six extra holes and fit them with ferrules. It's arguably a little easier to feed the strings from the front of the guitar.

I would say it is just the opposite. It is a bit time consuming on a tele or strat
with the custom shop bridge. You have to bend each string to get it to get it to come up through the bridge piece. When you load them from the back all you have to do is push it straight through, much quicker and easier IMO.

 

[ermghoti]

That's why I wrote "arguably."

 

[TelePaul]

i heard Jeff Bucleys guitar was an '83 Top loader...amazing sound off it.