Pickup Routing Template for Vintage Tele-style Bridge

This model is used to position and route the pickup cavity when mounting a Telecaster-style bridge on a guitar body.  There are many variations of tele-style bridges, falling into two main categories (“vintage” and “modern”); near as I can tell, Fender even made 3 different “vintage” bridges.  This template has been designed to match the 4-hole vintage bridge.

The holes near the corners reduce pulling tension during the print.  This minimizes warping after the part is removed from the build plate, and reduces the risk of lifting off the build plate during the print when using materials that tend to warp.

If you also need a cavity routing template for a Telecaster-style control plate, please see my other model: Routing Template for Telecaster-style Control Cavity

Design Features:

• No supports required.

• Alignment notches allow precise placement on the guitar body center line and mounting hole position.

• The two outer mounting holes are counter-sunk, allowing the template to be attached to the body using screws.

• Designed to minimize warping

“Extras” Folder Contents:

1. Bridge Dimension Check:  There are many variations of vintage bridges from 3rd-party manufacturers (often featuring different saddles or stringing options).  Place this quick-printing tool against your bridge to ensure that the hole and pickup locations of the routing template will match your bridge.

2. Tele_Bridge_Drilling_Template:  Use this to mark hole locations for the bridge.

Printing Notes:

• Print with 0.2mm layer height, structural, with 3 perimeters and 15% gyroid infill.

• The material used should be rigid (stiff) with minimal warping to provide a stable, flat surface for the router; I used PC-CF, and it worked great.  PLA will work if you don’t plan to use the template many times, but ensure that your router bit uses a ball-bearing follower rather than a bushing or bare-shaft to prevent conducted heat from ruining the template.

• Please DO NOT use the .bgcode file that has been provided (always slice your own files for your specific printer, filament, environment, etc.).  The file was only included to provide a reference for approximate print time.