Can I Use A Roller Tom With A Strat Style Neck?

[Ryanesque]

I need a TOM for my project...it's got a strat style neck and will have a Bigsby... can I use the roller style tom bridge, or is the string spacing incorrect?

Thanks,

Ryan

[Southpa]

Depends on what you are using for a body. I know the Schaller roller TOM is kinda high so a neck angle would be required. If you are just going to install a TOM on a fender style body/neck combo then you are going to have problems. String spacing is not an issue with a roller TOM.

[Ryanesque]

it is very much like a strat, with a strat copy neck. it's going to have a bigsby on it, so I'm going to need the TOM...

but I can shim...if that's the only issue, that's fine.

Now I know I can bid on one :-)

Thanks,

Ryan

[foil1more]

You don't need neck angle if you recess the TOM and use a bigsby B-5. There are some teles that use the B-5.

[Mickguard]

Isn't the string spacing really determined by the type of pickups you'll be using? In other words, you'll be choosing a bridge that places the strings over the pole pieces of the pickups.

Of course, you can use blade-style pickups to avoid that issue.

You are not required to use a TOM with a Bigsby by the way. You can adapt some hardtail bridges to your purposes -- just file the back edge to allow the strings to pass over the saddles. It's easier to do this with Tele-style plates that use three-barrel saddles, of course.

[Southpa]

Just a correction to my post. String spacing can be an issue but it depends on what type of roller bridge. Some, like the Schaller I previously mentioned, can be adjusted for string spacing, others have fixed rollers. Sorry 'bout that.