WTB: Strat bridge replacement

[PelliX]

I have a 2012 MIM Strat for which I'm looking to replace the bridge. Right now it has a the stock arrangement and the screw thread on the trem arm is wearing a bit thin, plus it has the stock saddles which cut into the side of my hand. No pain, no gain... but I've decided it's time to address this by upgrading. I don't have a specific replacement in mind but a quick-release trem arm would be nice. I don't really want to go drilling in the guitar, so a drop-in would be much preferred. If someone has something suitable laying around that they would like to convert into cash, let me know.

 

[fitz]

I have a 2012 MIM Strat for which I'm looking to replace the bridge.

2 post, or 6 screw?

I asked a similar question a while back on that forum whose name must not be spoken.
Lots of positive recommendations for a Gotoh 510.
I believe they make a drop in for both mounting configurations.

I don't have anything but Squier junk laying around.
Not worth the shipping to your location.

 

[PelliX]

2 post, or 6 screw?

6-screw - should have mentioned that. I'm more a Tele expert, but from my quick research, I thought that practically all Mexican Strats from these recent-ish decades shared the 6-screw arrangement? I may be mistaken, though.

I don't have anything but Squier junk laying around.

I see what you did there....!

The Gotoh certainly looks like it might be the/a solution, indeed. I figured I'd ask here just in case somebody had one laying around. Many people upgrade them and the original is in a drawer somewhere... you know the drill. At about EUR 100 the 510 wouldn't be a bad idea...

 

[67plexi]

I don't know what Fender Mexico is using now after the passing of my bass player
his wife gave me two Mexican Stratocasters I put USA Vintage bridges on them the screw spacing was different had to plug the holes and re drill
then changed the pickups to vintage USA controls and switches end of the day big waste of money and time
still sounded like a Mexican Strat gave them away

 

[PelliX]

So what does a Mexican Strat sound like exactly?

Also, your post sort of reads as if a Mexican Strat gave the USA controls away...

 

[SG John]

I believe that the Mexican hardware uses metric measurements. I have a bridge in the cellar that I can check a little later, and compare to one of my American Strats. I just have to remember where it is.

 

[PelliX]

10.5mm spacing... IIRC(!). I'll measure mine to be sure after dinner. Don't have a US Strat to compare to, though, so if you could get the measurements for that one - awesome!

 

[PelliX]

Yup, 10.5mm or within a bee's dick.



Hmmm, I got a Fender bag with it, I ain't complainin'....

Nut Width
1.650" (42 mm)

Bridge
6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo

According to Fuzzfaced:

Standard Stratocaster - Upgrade (MIM)

The Standard Stratocaster guitar offers legendary Fender tone with classic styling. Features include three single-coil pickups, synchronized tremolo with high-mass bridge block, and ’70s-style headstock logo..

www.fuzzfaced.net

Bridge Mounting Spacing: 2 1/16" (52mm)
Bridge String Spacing: 2 1/16" (52mm)

 

[67plexi]

If I was a betting man would go with the wood
My 1953 Esquire one piece Ash body the neck was trashed twisted and frets gone
had Scott at Musikraft make me a replacement neck fret board from the Coney Island boardwalk old growth
Brazilian rosewood grain so tight you can't see it just changing the neck sounds like a Les Paul Burst

 

[PelliX]

A Les Paul typically has humbuckers, an Esquire only has a single coil bridge pickup (well, stock). I suppose it might get closer with one of those old lapsteel pickups... which you might just have in a '53...?

If I was a betting man would go with the wood

So you're saying Mexican Strats sound 'woody'? I'm failing to see the comparison here; Esquires were never made in Mexico (maybe reissues now?). Esquires and Strats sound very different. I don't believe all that many Strats had ash bodies to begin with?

 

[SG John]

View attachment 112438

Yup, 10.5mm or within a bee's dick.

View attachment 112439

Hmmm, I got a Fender bag with it, I ain't complainin'....

Nut Width
1.650" (42 mm)

Bridge
6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo

According to Fuzzfaced:

Standard Stratocaster - Upgrade (MIM)

The Standard Stratocaster guitar offers legendary Fender tone with classic styling. Features include three single-coil pickups, synchronized tremolo with high-mass bridge block, and ’70s-style headstock logo..

www.fuzzfaced.net

Bridge Mounting Spacing: 2 1/16" (52mm)
Bridge String Spacing: 2 1/16" (52mm)

View attachment 112440

I just checked mine, and where the six screws are in the body looked more like a 10mm spacing.

 

[67plexi]

Maybe I'm to critical I hit the jackpot on my third Stratocaster 7/1961 100% stock been playing it 43 years
it has the feel an sound I like

 

[Sargeant Preston]

So what does a Mexican Strat sound like exactly?

Ritchie Valens?

 

[PelliX]

Ritchie Valens?

I had to turn that up, haven't heard it in a few years, haha!

 

[PelliX]

I just checked mine, and where the six screws are in the body looked more like a 10mm spacing.

It's a little confusingly laid out, but what I'm getting from Fuzzfaced.net is that the 6-holers have all used the same spacing for the last decades apart from a few oddball models (signatures, FSR, etc).