What a fitment failure looks like
The most common return we see is a bridge or saddle that "almost fits" — the mounting holes line up to within 0.5 mm, but the string spacing is half a millimetre off and the outer E falls over the fret edge. Catch that with a caliper and it never happens.
The measurements that matter
Measure all of these. Write them on a post-it. Email them to us if you want a sanity check.
Bridge mounting-screw pattern — the distance between the outer two screw centres.
String spacing at the saddles — measured centre-to-centre between the outer two strings.
String spacing at the nut — sanity check that the bridge and nut match.
Tremolo block width and height (for tremolos).
Tremolo arm thread (M6 / 10-32).
Ferrule hole diameter and body depth (for through-body stringing).
Bigsby model and roller length (for Bigsby upgrades).
Screw thread (imperial 6-32 / 8-32 or metric M3 / M4).
Pickup-ring depth versus installed pickup height.
Pickguard screw pattern (for pickguard or plate swaps).
Common traps
A few recurring ones: US-spec hardware tends to use imperial threads; imports tend to use metric. A Squier "Affinity" Strat changed block geometry around 2013 — pre-2013 Indonesian bodies take a 36 mm block, newer China-made bodies do not. Tele bridge plates come in flat-bottom and bent-front versions with identical screw patterns but different saddle pockets.
When in doubt, send a photo
We answer fitment questions within 1–2 business days. Send a photo of the part and a ruler across it. It takes less time than guessing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the single most common fitment mistake?
String spacing at the saddles. Most builders assume it matches the nut — it does not. Measure at the bridge.
Do I need a metric caliper?
Either works. Most calipers switch between metric and imperial with a button. Bridge specs are published in both.