Graphtech Saddles

[big_black]

I have been looking onto getting some GraphTech saddles for my Strat, putting them on my G, B, and E strings to mellow and warm them. GraphTEch makes two different kinds now, graphite and steel with a graphite insert. Does anyone here have any experience or wisdom to share about these? I was wondering if it was worth the extra $20 to get the steel with graphite insert saddles use and tone wise.

 

[mark]

Re: Graphtech Saddles

Never used the saddles, but have used the tremnuts on my strats. They made a world of difference in tuning stability. Graphteck is a great company with wonderful products. peace

 

[big_black]

Re: Graphtech Saddles

I have a blocked trem, so tuning is not a problem. I would be using them more for tone. The high strings can be kind of shrill at times with a JB and maple neck. I just wanted to try and mellow them out some.

 

[KoreanGuitarMan]

Re: Graphtech Saddles

I'd wager that the steel saddles w/inserts would be almost as shrill sounding as your existing saddles. They were created to sound more like regular Strat saddles. Get the original StringSavers if you want to mellow out the highs a bit. They are a bit more midrangy though. I like 'em.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Graphtech Saddles

The insert material on the steel saddles is the same as the solid graphite models....the difference is going to be mainly cosmetic. I think it comes down to whether you want it to look as original as possible, or whether you don't care.

I had a set of the solid graphite saddles on my 01' Am Standard...I loved them. I want them on my Hwy 1 strat now...but it has vintage saddles and I want to preserve the look. My vote would be the steel to keep the look consistant. I like my things to look nice.

It really doesn't matter...though I'm sure some would argue that the graphite inside the steel resonates at a different frequency than the solid graphite, thus infringing on the even order harmonics in the upper flat/sharp register. :alcoholic :smack:

 

[big_black]

Re: Graphtech Saddles

Cosmetics are not an issue. This is my guitar for modding and beating the hell out of.

 

[Hellion]

Re: Graphtech Saddles

I use them on all of my Fenders. The difference is incredible. One of my Strats and my bastard Tele too, both ate strings at a rate of one per 2 hours. Once I put on the GraphTech, they stopped doing that and their overall tone improved. You can believe every bit of hype that you read about them improving the tone. I've got 3 guitars that are testament to this. But put them on all 6 strings. Don't mess about with just the 3 strings.

 

[Hellion]

Re: Graphtech Saddles

I also know other players that have switched and were amazed at the difference. They're a bit more dense than normal steel, but they're self lubricating, so when the string stretches at the attack, it doesn't bind on the bridge. Oh, the nuts are great, too, as are the string retainers......

 

[some_dude]

Re: Graphtech Saddles

I have a set on my trem-blocked JB equipped bastard Strat and I love the difference they make. The main reason I got them was because the damn S-saddles would buzz together and irritate the hell out of me, but now that I have them I like how they mellowed out the tone a bit.

A second vote for replacing all 6 saddles.

 

[Simon_F]

Re: Graphtech Saddles

I tried some Graphtech saddles in my LP and didn't get on with them at all. Graphtech were very helpful in their replies to my e-mails, and when I decided not to keep the saddles I received a full refund under their no-quibble guarantee. Very good people to deal with, so you can buy with confidence.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Graphtech Saddles

I have graphite saddles on a LP, 335,SG, and two strats. I would highly recommend them. I replaced them to eliminate breaking strings. It worked incredibly well. I have not broken a string on any of the guitars that have these saddles since they have been installed. As far as tone is concerned I think they sound better! I have also put a graphite nut on my Strat that I use the wammy on, and it stays in tune extremly well. Go for it!!!!!

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Graphtech Saddles

I have some graphtec saddles on my Epi LP and they work pretty decent. Somehow, they aren't quite balanced right, sometimes when I play aggressively, they shift to the side and create a pinching sound. Besides that, I like them.

 

[Maggot]

Re: Graphtech Saddles

I recently got Graph Tech saddles for my strat (the regular graphite kind), and they improved the sound and tuning considerably. The also made my guitar louder, so maybe you shouldn't mix them with the regular steel saddles, because there may be a volume disparity. The tone isn't that different, but there are a lot fewer messy artifacts in the sound, some more sustain, and some more volume.

I'd say, don't try to outsmart yourself by mixing them up, using the steel ones, etc. Just put em on and enjoy them.

 

[TheProphet]

Re: Graphtech Saddles

Love 'em ... on all my non floyd 6 strings

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Graphtech Saddles

I've done exactly what you're talking about! When I first started using Stringsavers, I was happy with the tone and the string breakeage was finally a thing of the past. Over time, I realized that the wound strings seem to deaden a little bit sooner with the stringsavers, since they tend to mellow the tone a bit. I love this effect on the plain strings, but not the wound ones. So, I use stringsavers on my E, B, and G ONLY. The half and half saddles don't bother me, but the balance of tone from low strings to high strings is amazing. NO ICEPICK, just big bold notes. The low strings retain their bell quality longer with the stock steel saddles. Plus, you can setup two strats for the price of one, by splitting them up.