Best Guitar Bridge Options for Kit Guitars

In the following article, we're going to take a closer look at some of the best guitar bridge options available for kit guitars. This isn't an exhaustive list of guitar bridges, however, the bridges listed below are what you will find on 99% of all kit guitars.

Also Read: DIY Guitar Kit Bridges and Tailpieces

Your bridge is a super important component of your kit guitar and allows you to adjust your action, set your intonation, and in the case of a tremolo bridge will allow you to integrate a whammy bar into your playing. It's important to have a grasp on the capabilities of your bridge and also any potential limitations.

Types of Electric Guitar Bridges

Fixed Guitar Bridges

The Ashtray Bridge

The Ashtray bridge is synonymous with the Fender Telecaster and sits on a large plate with either 3 or 6 saddle configuration and pre-mounted bridge pickup. This is a fixed bridge and as a result, no springs are used. To dry fit simply screw the plate into place. Screws are laid out beside the pickup allowing you to adjust the height of your pickups.

The 3 saddle configuration holds two strings per saddle, meaning two strings are adjusted at a time. Many purists prefer this setup, due to the increased size of the saddles compared to a typical 6 saddle configuration. many consider the larger saddles capable of providing better tone and sustain.

Alternatively, the 6 saddle configuration allows for greater control over intonation as each individual string is able to be adjusted.

Please see below for some of the best value Ashtray style bridges for Tele Style Guitar Kits.

Recommended: TE style DIY Guitar Kits

Tune-o-Matic Bridge

Gibson style kit guitars utilize a fixed bridge known as the 'Tune o Matic' bridge which comes equipped with a stud mounted stop tailpiece. These require a little more work to install compared to the Ashtray bridge, but I would still consider this style of bridge something anyone could install without too much difficulty.

Simply sit the bridge and stop bar over the pre-drilled holes to check for alignment issues. Next, fit the threaded posts the bridge is held in place with.

When it comes time to fit the bridge, remember the adjustment screws are mounted to the front of the bridge and not the back as per most guitars. The reason for this is the sharp decline the strings take from the bridge to the tailpiece making it difficult to fit a screwdriver and adjust your intonation.

Another consideration to keep in mind is the ground wire is often positioned against the bushing of the bridge post. While this can be removed after installing to allow for the ground wire it's much better to install first.

Tremolo Bridges

The ST 6 saddle bridge

This type of bridge features either 6 (vintage) or two (modern) front mount screws to hold the bridge in place. The bridge is then attached to three coil springs that run through the body of the guitar allowing sufficient tension for playing using the tremolo bar.

(If you prefer your bridge to be fixed, you can purchase 5 springs which will generally adjust the tension so the bridge sits flat against the body of the guitar).

The saddles can be adjusted individually to correct intonation issues and can also be raised or lowered to adjust the guitar's action.

Recommended: Stock DIY Guitar Kits

Floyd Rose Floating Tremolo

The Floyd Rose locking tremolo as the name suggests is also a tremolo bridge however it has been designed to allow more extreme variations in pitch and control over the tremolo while also offering greater tuning stability thanks to the double-locking design. The double-locking design allows for the floating bridge and nut to lock down on the strings.

The Floyd Rose first came into prominence during the 'shred' era (1980's) and again during the Nu-Metal era featured on many 7 string guitars.

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