Joe Barden American Standard Style Tele Bridge

For this size footprint of a bridge there are only 2 contenders. The Joe Barden and the Callaham. This is an improvement over the stock tele bridge in that the plate is thicker, the saddles are brass and there is a notch cut out of the lower lip. The stock bridges do not have the notch cut out. For my style of picking I would always hit the lower lip of the bridge. The Joe Barden bridge is the most affordable after market replacement bridge that is an actual upgrade compared to the stock bridge.

Very nice! Easy to install, although my 2 American Standard Telecasters (1996/2000) only have 3 holes behind barrels. I didn't mind making the alterations because I've looked at a BUNCH of aftermarket bridge kits and this one is good heavy material, clean, and the offset barrels made intonation pretty easy to setup correctly!!

The pitch between the through holes on the pick up side of the bridge do not match the holes on the body of my 2009 American Standard. They are eclipsed. The two screws on the saddle side of the bridge match and seem to be holding it against the body.

very hard to Find/replace your bridge when you own an America Standard Tele. Most ashtray options do not have the 6 holes for mounting screws (4 in the rear - 2 above pickup).. they are mostly Vintage Pattern, with string holes below screw holes (at the rear)Building a custom Tele (which the string through holes and mounting screws are already drilled) - and searching around for the ashtray with this pattern, and I'm only finding this option..The Flat bridge is usually made from Brass w/ steel saddles,, the ashtray option is usually Steel ashtray w/ Brass saddles... a more classic tele tone