Graph Tech ResoMax bridges

[Dave Sloven]

Anyone used these?

I'm contemplating one of the wraptails for my SG Junior.

Here's their page:

http://www.graphtech.com/products/brands/resomax/resomax-wraparound-bridges

There is a choice of metal or 'string saver' saddles - has anyone used either of these?

Pluses and minuses??

I'm thinking of having this bridge and a TUSQ XL nut installed by the same tech who set-up my Explorer.

It uses magnetic posts instead of the locking TonePros type - gimmick or good idea?

The bridge itself looks like a great design, comfortable to play and well made.

[Philly Q]

Haven't tried them, but I am also interested.

Phil King has one of their wraparound bridges on his Feline 20th Anniversary Lion.

I've used String Saver saddles on Strats, Teles and a regular tune-o-matic.  They certainly reduce string breakages and make string bending feel subtly different.  Soundwise, I'm not so sure.  They reduce the harsh snappy/pingy sound you can get with plain strings on metal saddles, which is good, but overall I think they tend to make the guitar sound a little duller.  If I was buying a ResoMax bridge I think I'd opt for the alloy saddles.

[darkbluemurder]

I have also looked at the Resomax recently but have not made the move yet.

Cheers Stephan

[Lucas]

Hi,
I have Resomax bidge as well as as tailpiece installed in my Dean Caddy.

Tone-wise I cannot tell you if the bridge itself has made any difference, because at that time along with the bridge I was changing loads of other things such as new stainless steel frets, Buzz Feiten tuning system and the bone nut.
Once the guitar after that massive upgrade came back to me, yes it definitely sounded better, was definitely resonating much much better when unplugged/plunged. Improvement without the doubt.

The bridge itself is good quality, the only thing that is a quite disappointing downside is the fact that the gold finish is getting worn quite quickly (in my case after about the year) and the String Saver coating on the saddles started to come off on certain spots as well!!! But even that that coating works, after installing Resomax String Saver there was no string breakages at the saddles, so I presume it works  :D
Other than that really good bridge indeed.

[Dave Sloven]

Do you mean that the gold is tarnished, or actually wearing off?

I find that gold tarnishes as a matter of course, which was a big factor in me changing my Explorer from gold to chrome

I'm especially interested to hear if anyone has had the chance to compare the string saver with the regular saddle in terms of sound

[Lew]

Not too keen on the dripping in tone and built for harmonic blabla that they have but I'm sure that kinda pitch rocks a TGPers world.

RE the string saver material, if it 's the same black doodahs they use for the strat saddles I'd advice caution if you haven't used 'em before. I strongly dislike them and found the same thing as Philly , noticable loss of high end. I haven't broken a string in erm... sod knows how long. Not in the last 5+ years , anyway so that'd be a non issue for me.

[Dave Sloven]

Even though I've broken two strings on that guitar in less than a fortnight (a 52 D'Addario and a 54 Ernie Ball) I would probably still go for the metal saddles.  I tend to focus more on sound than $3 strings

[FELINEGUITARS]

The metal they are made of does seem to have a nice positive effect sonically.
The one on Phils's Lion sounded very good, even when compared to the others with tonepros and aluminium tailpieces , so positive proof  about how they sound.

The saddle material is a personal choice.

[Dave Sloven]

Thanks

Is it right to say that the nut material has more impact on tuning stability than the saddle material, and that the only real reason to get the string saver material on the saddles is broken strings?

I have a backup guitar when I play and strings don't cost that much - I tend to change them when they dull, not when they break, although of course having a string break is a real nuisance when playing at practice and an even bigger issue playing live.  That said guitarists have been dealing with broken strings when playing live for a long time, and I am diligent about replacing them before anything crucial.

[PhilKing]

I found that string saver saddles are brighter and a bit more 'glassy'.  I like the Resomax on the Lion and would recommend it to anyone. 

[Lucas]

Do you mean that the gold is tarnished, or actually wearing off?

It actually getting tarnished after a year. Graphhtech website says:    Triple plated finished for a durable and beautiful finish.... well I wouldn`t be so keen to agree with that. At least now the bridge is starting to perfectly match to my both Aged Gold BKP pickups!  :D

String Saver coating is actually coming off on some little spots. More likely it started wearing off, `cause it`s more apparent on edges.

[Lew]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcVgAJfhhDM

[Philly Q]

^

Different strokes for different folks, I suppose....  :?

[Telerocker]

I had Graphtech-saddles on a Yamaha Pacifica 311 MS. Tonewise the differences were quite subtle. A little less zing perhaps. But, no more broken strings.

[Lucas]

Lew, some people might like it, but I would never put those tailpieces on any guitar. Really :lol:

that snake looks the best out of all of them but still, that would be far far waaay too much for me. Will stick to more traditional ones. :D