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Author Topic: brass saddles for strat  (Read 7631 times)

gwEm

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brass saddles for strat
« on: October 18, 2009, 12:42:07 PM »
I've seen such things, and it seems in the 80s there were relatively easy to buy.. anyone know a source today?

edit:
something like this, but more reasonably priced:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Brass-Guitar-Saddles-Vintage-Fender-Width-430_W0QQitemZ350241438373QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar_Accessories?hash=item518c043aa5#ht_1902wt_780
« Last Edit: October 18, 2009, 12:45:12 PM by gwEm »
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Quote from: AndyR
you wouldn't use the meat knife on crusty bread but, equally, the serrated knife and straight edge knife aren't going to go through raw meat as quickly

WezV

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Re: brass saddles for strat
« Reply #1 on: October 18, 2009, 12:54:06 PM »
wammiworld sell some attached to a trem  - i wonder if hey could sort you out with just the saddles

http://www.wammiworld.com/u3003.html

oh, and thx for the text - it all went really well ;)
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Philly Q

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Re: brass saddles for strat
« Reply #2 on: October 18, 2009, 01:13:52 PM »
Do you want the actual brass look, or would chrome/nickel plated brass be OK?

(Not that I know where to get them, either way)
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gwEm

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Re: brass saddles for strat
« Reply #3 on: October 18, 2009, 01:24:52 PM »
Quote from: Philly Q on October 18, 2009, 01:13:52 PM
Do you want the actual brass look, or would chrome/nickel plated brass be OK?

(Not that I know where to get them, either way)

its a look and tone thing i guess, although mostly tone. nickel/brass saddles are much more common for sure
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Quote from: AndyR
you wouldn't use the meat knife on crusty bread but, equally, the serrated knife and straight edge knife aren't going to go through raw meat as quickly

Prawnik

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Re: brass saddles for strat
« Reply #4 on: October 19, 2009, 10:47:58 AM »
Guitars by Wayne might be able to hook you up.

Otherwise one can find new, NOS, and plain "old" Charvel saddles and bridges on the 'Bay.
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gwEm

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Re: brass saddles for strat
« Reply #5 on: October 24, 2009, 07:14:53 PM »
A couple of hours after posting this I had lunch with Phil, and he mentioned he had a couple of sets of brass saddles. One of the sets he thought was from an old dimarzio bridge.

Anyway, I just fitted them to a strat and they do sound rather different. The stratty highend is tamed quite considerably, though perhaps not quite to the extent that the tone is dulled. The bass end couldn't be described as muddy either. The extra mass of the brass does make a huge improvement to sustain. The character of the mids is a bit different too - more like a telecaster.

Still trying to decide if I like the difference, but there no doubt there is a very noticeable one.

Cheers to Phil :)
« Last Edit: October 24, 2009, 07:21:01 PM by gwEm »
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Quote from: AndyR
you wouldn't use the meat knife on crusty bread but, equally, the serrated knife and straight edge knife aren't going to go through raw meat as quickly

PhilKing

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Re: brass saddles for strat
« Reply #6 on: October 24, 2009, 11:16:23 PM »
Now you are making me think about getting the other set onto my hardtail to replace the graphtech saddles!
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horsehead

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Re: brass saddles for strat
« Reply #7 on: October 25, 2009, 09:16:26 AM »
Are the brass & Graphtech saddles actually any good
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Philly Q

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Re: brass saddles for strat
« Reply #8 on: October 25, 2009, 10:09:09 AM »
Quote from: horsehead on October 25, 2009, 09:16:26 AM
Are the brass & Graphtech saddles actually any good

For me, Graph Tech saddles solve the main problem with traditional bent steel saddles - those bloody annoying grub screws sticking out and digging into your hand.

Even if they sounded shite I'd still buy them for that reason alone (but they don't sound shite).
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38thBeatle

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Re: brass saddles for strat
« Reply #9 on: October 25, 2009, 11:50:23 AM »
I am with Philly on the issue of Graphtech saddles.I have had them a few weeks now but I have been pleased about the change.The guitar seems to have a brighter tone. More comfortable on the hand though. 
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PhilKing

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Re: brass saddles for strat
« Reply #10 on: October 25, 2009, 12:53:50 PM »
I've had graphtech saddles on my guitars for years, so some of my original impressions are long gone!  However I do remember that they don't suit all guitars.  On my walnut custom with Wilkinson VS100 bridge, they made it too bright (pickups are MQ, Slowhand & Mini-Mule). 

I didn't change because of the adjustment screws (I have fitted the right length screws [there are 3 lengths available if you check on line, but only 2 or 3 are put in the saddles as standard]).  I changed for the sound, it is more 'glassy', especially if you go with a Tusq nut.  I had brass saddles in the 80's (that's where gwEm's came from!).  I liked the sound of the guitar then,  but it had EMG SA's on it, so it wouldn't sound the same today! 
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CJBadge

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Re: brass saddles for strat
« Reply #11 on: November 27, 2009, 12:23:36 AM »
No, keep to bent steel saddles. Callaham Guitars have the best. callahamguitars.com
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