Graph Tech Ferraglide & Discoloration

[gvis]

Just received and installed my ferraglides into my MIM alder strat. They didn't change the tone or attack, at least to my ears, which is a good thing; they got rid of the strange rattles I'd had with the stock saddles' loose fitting height screws; and they did increase sustain a bit.

But one of them is discolored, with brown streaks on the top. More have such streaks, but only on the bottoms. Notiecable enough to stand out and look like pooh. Can these streaks be polished out?

Regarding the sustain improvement, it's subtle but, on this guitar, it was just where it was needed. Before, in the higher strings and up the neck, a few seconds after initial attack the level would drop farily quickly and at a faster rate and then from there it would more slowly fade out. The ferraglides have filled in that gap and made the drop smoother and more gradual. Probably not noticeable with other instruments going on, but alone it's noticeable.

Thanks

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: Graph Tech Ferraglide & Discoloration

Maybe put the saddles in some jewelry cleaner or polish

 

[Bludave]

Re: Graph Tech Ferraglide & Discoloration

I wouldn't worry about it too much. If it plays good and sounds good leave well enough alone

 

[gvis]

Re: Graph Tech Ferraglide & Discoloration

Maybe put the saddles in some jewelry cleaner or polish

Thanks, that seems like a good idea. I'm trying to get my options together before discuss it with graph tech and the place I ordered them from. I'd like to avoid the returning/exchanging process.

 

[gvis]

Re: Graph Tech Ferraglide & Discoloration

I wouldn't worry about it too much. If it plays good and sounds good leave well enough alone

Thanks for the opinion, but I was really looking for a solution instead, because I'm not ok with 1 of 6 saddles being discolored brown while the others are all silver. It looks like sh*t imo.

 

[gvis]

Re: Graph Tech Ferraglide & Discoloration

Called Graph Tech and they were very good about it. They said they've never seen such discoloration and preferred to not even worry about trying to remove it. They will replace the set, outside of the company I bought it from and at that companies price.

The research I'd done before buying them showed a pretty even mix of people who either felt it did affect their tone (some postively and some negatively) or it didn't. Either way, their customer support is great.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Graph Tech Ferraglide & Discoloration

Called Graph Tech and they were very good about it. They said they've never seen such discoloration and preferred to not even worry about trying to remove it. They will replace the set, outside of the company I bought it from and at that companies price.

The research I'd done before buying them showed a pretty even mix of people who either felt it did affect their tone (some positively and some negatively) or it didn't. Either way, their customer support is great.

I didn't mean to make light of it. All I meant was if it sounds good don't worry too much about it. Graphite can have some funky looks to it. I have several sets of graphite saddles in many guitars and have never seen a color as you described, but I have had a couple of saddle sets that I didn't feel fit right. I contacted Graphtech as you did & they were very good about replacing anything I needed. They are a great company & make a great product. I have their saddles in all 5 of my Strats, 3 of my 5 Teles, both Les Paul's & my SG & 335. I have yet to break a string on any guitar that has these saddles & I feel my guitars sound better.