If you want to try it yourself, either buy a top-loading bridge, or simply drill six holes in your existing unit. Top-loading is also said to provide a more slinky feel – much like dropping down half a string gauge. Detractors claim that top-loading reduces sustain, but fans point to enhanced twang, more bite and a ringing chime. Many players feel that Teles with these ‘toploader’ bridges have a different sound. Try top-loadingįor a brief period in the late 1950s, Fender ceased through-body stringing on Telecasters and installed bridges with six holes drilled through the back lip. Alternatively, try a nickel-silver cover for less high-end attenuation than brass. The downside is that you’ll experience a bit of noise if you touch the cover, but that’s easy to avoid and the extra brightness and transparency might persuade you to reconsider that pickup upgrade.
To unleash the full frequency potential of Tele neck pickups, just snip the cover’s grounding connection. Just like a traditional humbucker, the metal cover on a Telecaster neck pickup can suck a little treble from your tone.
