Duo Sonic bridge

chuwi

I have a 1993 Duo sonic, but i don't like the original bridge, because is hard (i'd say almost impossible) to get a good intonation with that three saddles.

I've been doing some research and found 2 affordable solutions:

1)Replace the original saddles with compensated saddles. For usd $29 i get the ones from Giant Guitar, so it won't be necessary to drill the bridge plate.

duo sonic compensated saddles on Ebay

2)Replacing the entire bridge with a reissue musicmaster bridge, that has one saddle for each string. I guess that it should fit perfectly on my Duo, but i'm not a 100% sure. I'd appreciate if someone could clarify this.

i'd really like to know what you think is the better option.

and, is it true that the 3 saddle bridge create better sustain than a 6 saddle?

thanks! and sorry for my english i'm from chile.

iCEByTes

chuwi said: I have a 1993 Duo sonic, but i don't like the original bridge, because is hard (i'd say almost impossible) to get a good intonation with that three saddles.
I've been doing some research and found 2 affordable solutions:
1)Replace the original saddles with intonated saddles. For usd $29 i get the ones from Giant Guitar, so it won't be necessary to drill the bridge plate.
duo sonic compensated saddles on Ebay
2)Replacing the entire bridge with a reissue musicmaster bridge, that has one saddle for each string. I guess that it should fit perfectly on my Duo, but i'm not a 100% sure. I'd appreciate if someone could clarify this.
i'd really like to know what you think is the better option.
and, is it true that the 3 saddle bridge create better sustain than a 6 saddle?
thanks! and sorry for my english i'm from chile.

Hi , Another south american here 😀

i am from brasil

3 saddle gave the telecaster typical sound

somme people say its different using other styles saddles and stick use the 3 saddles

chuwi

gracias por el reply, es bueno saber que no soy el unico sudamericano!

but i still don't know what to do, i really want to come up with the solution that will improve the intonation of my guitar without loosing the Duo sonic own sound.

Do you think that the 6 saddles musicmaster bridge will change my guitar's sound considerably, and how so?

is it true that having those brass compensated saddles installed will make a brighter sound (more like Tele-ish, if you know what i mean ) ?

obrigado! 😎

CROSS

I have replaced a duo bridge with a reissue musicmaster bridge before. It's an exact fit. You will have to drill holes right through the body to accommodate the string through. You need to buy string ferrules for the back. Make sure you have an adequate drill press!!

The sustain is improved by 80%. The duo bridge does not have enough of an angle to hold sustain. The string through Musicmaster bridge passes through the wood allowing more vibration and security. It's a good design. because of the angle there is more chance the strings will snap, which is the same reason I hate strat bridges, but the benefits of sounds out weigh the chance of strings snapping.

CROSS

P.s

I wouldn't even consider doing this if your guitar is worth more than $900Au.

Maybe try the brass saddles first. If it still sounds crap, then buy the musicmaster bridge.

chuwi

hey, thank you for your replies. I've been thinking and i think i'll order the compensated saddles, since no extra drilling is needed.

i'm no very good with wood, tools , etc , and i'm don't have the money to spend on a luthier or someone who can install the musicmaster bridge for me. You helped me a lot, because i hadn't notice that this was a string thru body bridge. i'd would probably order the bridge and go nuts on not finding the holes to pass the strings by!

I'll be posting to tell you if there are or not any improves on the intonation.

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sorry for my english...

chuwi

After comparing the prices of the different options, I thought I'd go for a more definitive solution than the compensated saddles, so I waited some time to make some more money. But that was only the begining, since I've been trying to come up with a solution for months now.

The first thing i tried was to replace the original bridge with a musicmaster RI one, ordered it from guitarpartsresource.com but they didn't have it in stock. Then, I tried getting it from guitar-parts without succeeding.

The second option was a Toronado bridge, but

I'm having a lot of trouble finding a store that actually have it in stock. Do you know where I can get one of this bridges? Any other bridges that make a good replacement?

If I don't find any of these the only option I'd have left is getting an universal top loader, like this one--> http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/bridge3.jpg , and try fitting those 6 saddles on the original duo-sonic bridge. Would it work?

thanks! and sorry for my english 😕