Graphtech saddles changing tone?

Re: Graphtech saddles changing tone?

im not sure dude, graphite is used for its tensile strength in rackets, not shock absorbtion...

they make things like fishing rods and tent poles out of it because its a bugger to break through bending..

tom
 
Re: Graphtech saddles changing tone?

daCaT said:
It always struck me as strange that you would use graphite for saddles when the material is used to absorb vibrations in almost all other applications.

since when does graphite absorb vibration? it enhances movement, which possibly means allowing vibrations to occur more readily
 
Re: Graphtech saddles changing tone?

my question is, do either the string savers or ferraglide help keep in tune like the graphtech nuts do?

also, any help with intonation??
 
Re: Graphtech saddles changing tone?

Imp said:
im not sure dude, graphite is used for its tensile strength in rackets, not shock absorbtion...

they make things like fishing rods and tent poles out of it because its a bugger to break through bending..

tom
Yep, what we´re talking about here (in both cases, and golf clubs, and similar) is that graphite is MUCH more rigid than the same amount (volume) of steel or Aluminum, while weighing significantly less.. in tennis or golf this adds to more power because of the faster swing(less weight), and an additional dose of power AND control because the frame / Shaft doesn´t twist as much from an off center shot.

On a fishing rod, it just lasts longer :D:D

Carbon fibers DO have a use in luthiierie, though: companies like Status and Moser make necks from them, and companies like Carvin, Jackson(CS Option), many bass manufacturers... well, they put carbon fiber rods in teh neck to strengthen it further ;)

nahfuten said:
my question is, do either the string savers or ferraglide help keep in tune like the graphtech nuts do?

also, any help with intonation??

Intonation and Tuning stability are more of a question of setup skills than of the Saddle construction in most cases. ;)

I´ve had problems in neither area with Stringsavers, on my guitar or custom guitars. Can´t speak for the Ferraglides....

Theoretically there should be a minimal advantage with the tuning. But if you know how to set a guitar up properly, you shouldn´t need it ;)
 
Re: Graphtech saddles changing tone?

nahfuten said:
my question is, do either the string savers or ferraglide help keep in tune like the graphtech nuts do?

also, any help with intonation??

I don't see any advantages when speaking of intonation, but in tuning yes. They provide a super lubricated surface for the strings to travel on, which prevents binding just like the nuts do.
 
Re: Graphtech saddles changing tone?

i would say yes, graphtecs are easier to intonate.. IIRC the screws have a much thinner thread than the stock saddles, and everything's just higher quality all round. much easier to really fine-tune things..

i have definitely noticed an improvement in tuning stability as well though, but it depends on the quality of the ones you're replacing with regards to a 'noticeable' effect ;)

and zerb - carbon is VERY light too.. its something you appreciated when you're holding a rod for hours at a time, waiting for something to bite hehe (is crap at fishing) wasnt there a brand of carbon fibre guitars called rainsong?

tom
 
Re: Graphtech saddles changing tone?

I have been wondering the same thing
I just installed Ferreglide saddles on my strat

And it has lost all the body & fatness
The guitar sounds glassy and nasty on the high notes
even with a Dimarzio fast Track-2.

I thought something went wrong when I cleaned up my pickups wiring.
but it must be the saddles !

It used to be one of the Fattest Souning guitars I have owned....
 
Re: Graphtech saddles changing tone?

Wow, over 2 years! What is the record for a resurrected thread?

Yes, those graphtech saddles did exactly what you said to my guitar as well. Gone was the warmth, say hello to GLASS.

Took em out, put orignal saddles back, & and learned how to sand the saddle grooves so they are smooth. No more broken strings (well, until they wear out from natural causes). :D
 
Re: Graphtech saddles changing tone?

Dude, a friend of mine a while ago had a Vintage reissue Strat one made in around 1994 or something. it was one of the first ever made. They were supposedly REAL good or something. actually i remember the guitar being amazing.
So the guy is a real goof and goes and buys the Graphtech saddles and................there goes the tone!
Sorry but i am totally convinced that they ruined the tone of the guitar. They made it brittle Bright sounding, totally lost the vinatge smoothness.

I cant believe he did that to that guitar. I dont think that any famous tone guy plays with those saddles.
Anyway, if you have heard of the Callaham Trem i think it is a great way to upgrade you tone. The steel used to make this is great and the whole thing is a work of art. really. im not doing an ad for this guy, he is just really good.
Plus the MIM strats have trem blocks that are made out of crap. Zink or something like that totally bogus.

i would recommend that in the blink of an eye. And if you break the strings more often.........who the heck cares????



I definitely agree, Callaham just added that extra something special to my MIM. You notice a difference even playing it unplugged. I put trem block and new CG saddles. Sweet sweet tone.
 
Re: Graphtech saddles changing tone?

My personal experience with Graphtech saddles is in relation to a Bacchus BST64v... which, for those who haven't heard of it is a very high quality handmade stratocaster with a vintage style trem.

On trying the Graphtech saddles, I was immediately aware that the sound had become very mid-rangey. The G and B strings in particular sounded horrid. I noticed a loss of both low end and high end - which was surprising, given the company's advertised claim of "sizzling highs".

I was prepared to hear that the new saddles had dialled out the "2kHz spike" that steel saddles have which Graphtech say dominates the tonal spectrum. It was gone, for sure, but what replaced it was smooth, boring and soulless to my ears. My gorgeous strat tone had been replaced by something which to my ears was anonymous and mid-rangey - certainly not filled with the promised harmonic complexity.

I suppose that to some ears the smooth, I'll call it "LA session tone" might appeal to some folks - but I like my Strat to sound like the sort of strat Jimi, Stevie Ray and many others wouldn't want to ever give back... although I'm happy to concede that they'd probably break fewer strings with Graphtech saddles!

This isn't a criticism of the Graphtech product per se... I'm just observing that for me, it changed the tone of my strat in ways I don't care for. This may be because my musical tastes are hewn from the hard rock of the 60s and 70s, I guess.

I should add that in the interest of full disclosure, we fit lots of Graphtech products in our luthiery shop (xperienceguitars.co.uk). In fact, I believe that the Ghost system is the best product of it's type available and fully recommend it. As a company, Graphtech are great to deal with and their guarantee policy is a shining example to the music industry.

Jenna
 
Re: Graphtech saddles changing tone?

I started reading this thread from the top, and did so for about 3 minutes before realizing how old it is. Why has this been bumped, and why do I feel like we're getting trolled?
 
Re: Graphtech saddles changing tone?

Yeah, I hate getting trolled by informative, well thought out opinions from knowledgable people who work professionally in the luthier industry.
 
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