Any experience of Graphtech saddles for Gibson TOM???

[Guitarteach]

My trusty 1972 Gibson ES 345 is going to get some TLC in the next few weeks.

A previous owner had made a mess of the original bridge saddles with some roughly cut extra slots, etc. and the nut is cut a bit high

I was interested to know if anyone has swapped out any tuneomatic bridge saddles for the Teflon impregnated Graphtech saddles? Any good?

I may look at a pickup swap and electrics upgrade later on  - I don't think the bridge pickup is original, but was going to sort the intonation and bridge first.

[Philly Q]

Yes, I've used Graph Tech saddles on both tune-o-matics and Fender bridges.

They're good, I think they change the tone slightly, mostly in the initial "attack" when you pick a string which seems to be softened a little.  In something like a 345 I think that could be a good thing as I find they tend to sound quite bright on the treble strings.

You need to be careful to pick the right saddles, they make quite a few different ones but there's quite a good guide on their website.

[Guitarteach]

Ok. Thanks for the quick reply. I may give them a try out.  An issue with this guitar is that it tends to be overly dark and thick sounding so hopefully the softening effect you describe will be minimal.  I can always get a new metal TOM or rework the old saddles smoother.

The next job is to possibly look at some more open, 'breathy' & brighter sounding pickups - the Stormy Mondays may be the ticket or the PG blues but the varitone does mimic the out of phase sound ok.

[Philly Q]

I don't know what type of TOM an old ES-345 would have - is it an ABR-1 type?  Swapping the saddles on those is fairly easy, and not much hassle to put the old ones back at a later date.

But it would be easier (and not much more expensive) just to change the whole bridge, unless you want to retain the vintage mojo.

[Guitarteach]

Yep...it's an authentically aged pre 1971 TOM with the wire retainer over the screws.  Had the saddles out before. Everything else is the worn original gold so was going to try avoid too much shiny new gold bling first.

[Telerocker]

Tonepros AVR II?

[_tom_]

I had some in my epiphone lpc and they were great. Didn't notice any difference in tone or sustain but string life was much better.

[Guitarteach]

Thanks for the responses. Will ponder a while and probably get both new saddles and a tonepro and try em both out. I'm sure any new gold will wear in.

I did put a new bridge on my '64 casino and that did make a real difference in eliminating its rattles.