Bridges And Covers
We will focus on the Fender Telecaster and Fender Stratocaster since these are the two most popular models. As stated this is not a complete history of the fender bridges for all the Fender guitar models Please e mail us if you need information or have questions on any other Fender guitar bridges.
The Fender telecaster , Fender Broadcaster . Fender Nocaster and Fender Esquires all have the same style Fender bridge. The earliest versions of these had the serial numbers stamped into the top of the bridge plate and the words patent pending . The original ones had brass saddles and all had slotted screws. In 1955 the serial numbers were moved to the neck plates and the saddles changed to steel saddles.
The Fender bridge remained the same throughout the 1950’s . By 1956 the bridge saddles changed to grooved saddles. In around 1962 the Fender bridge received a pat number and would remain this way unchanged till the end of the 1960’s. Around 1968 Fender returned to the smooth steel saddles bridge.
The Fender Stratocaster bridge introduced in 1954 had a two piece block and individual patent pending saddles with slotted screws. This basic style would not change and would be Fenders part that would see the least change for 30 years. The tremolo arms also would be virtually unchanged.
But as a note early 1954 Fender Stratocaster arm were bent more at a 45 degree angle and are instantly recognizable. Te bakelite football type shape tip was used from 1954-1956. In 1957 when the bakelite changed to normal plastic so did the tremolo arm tip.
The Fender Stratocaster tremolo stayed the same until early 1972 . In 1972 the Fender Tremolo changed to a one piece block. and the saddles were changed to a new style . The saddles now had a smooth top with the pat# stamped on bottom. This is again was the only major change to this system from 1954.
In 1980 Fender lost its mind in my opinion and started experimenting with new tremolos and locking systems. This for me is fender lost era. I do not want to offend anyone but as time showed Fender was forced to return to the original design do to public demand for the changes. Today there still is a few different models but i Will not go into that at this point.
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