Like the tone, not the feel

[misterwhizzy]

I'm trying to get some use out of my Strat, but there are minor annoyances that make me unlikely to take it off the wall instead of my Les Paul.

I think the biggest one is that I can't mute right at the bridge because the adjustment screws of the saddle eat into the meat of my picking hand. After a little bit of research, I came across these Highwood curved saddles. Does anyone have any experience with these or with a comparable product designed to work around this issue?

 

[d1dsj]

Can’t you just get some shorter grub screws from StewMac?

 

[Artie]

Someone here recently turned me on to some cool new saddles that solve that problem. A bit pricey, but they do the trick.

Highwood Saddles

Sold here: GuitarParts

 

[misterwhizzy]

Someone here recently turned me on to some cool new saddles that solve that problem. A bit pricey, but they do the trick.

Highwood Saddles

Sold here: GuitarParts

If it makes the difference in playing a guitar worth several hundred and not playing it, I’d say $55 is worth it.

 

[ehdwuld]

Shorter grub screws for the budget consciousness

I have M3x.05-8mm long
And in 6mm long
If you have solid block saddles
The shorter ones can be used for all positions

Shorter than 6mm aren't of any use as the bent saddles are taller

Grub screws on Amazon

 

[Chistopher]

You can also file the ones you have down if you have the means

 

[magillver]

I'd never seen those Highwood saddles, that's an elegantly simple solution to a looong-standing issue!

 

[strat dude]

Those high wood saddles are sweet, but another option is the block stainless saddles. I switched to those a long time ago. You can get them for like $15 bucks.

 

[Securb]

This is the exact issue that motivated me to put Babicz bridges on all of my Fenders.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I used to have the Highwood saddles on my old Road Worn. They were really nice, and they sounded great. They are very well made. They fit together snug (unlike the stock Fender bent steel saddles), and the adjustment screws feel more secure... and of course, don't poke you.

They're great if you want the tone from bent steel saddles, but don't want to deal with the downsides.

I like how they sound over cheapie block saddles, personally. I tried steel and brass block saddles off Amazon until I landed on these. I've never bought into the whole "heavier hardware is better".

 

[Sam SG]

I had( have in parts box) old graphtech saddles. The screws never protruded the top of the saddle.

 

[Mincer]

I had( have in parts box) old graphtech saddles. The screws never protruded the top of the saddle.

They don't on any of my GraphTech saddles, either.

 

[ehdwuld]

The block style are good about that

The bent steel that everyone goes on about have the issue.

I personally don't hear much difference
There is benefit in the height adjustment screws having a longer threaded area
The alignment slot in middle or the saddle to hold the string
The slope of that slot softens the break angle as it exits the block

There ia a reason they upgraded the design


On the bent steel design,
If you don't a lot of bends, the string can move from one side to another changing intonation.

Clearly an inferior design

 

[Rex_Rocker]

On the bent steel design,
If you don't a lot of bends, the string can move from one side to another changing intonation.

Clearly an inferior design

Highwood saddles have a groove so that the intonation stays put as well as block saddles.

I wouldn't say the difference in tone is huge either, but they do sound that extra bit more zingy vs solid block saddles, IME. There's clips on YouTube that prove it. It's not a make it or break it change in tone, but if you're happy with the rest of the chain, it's a good way to get that extra 1%.

It's not even that they sound "better". It's just a more traditional vintage Strat sound. It's kinda like how Les Paul enthusiast must have the lightweight aluminum tailpiece, I suppose.

Some people care about that. Some don't, and it's alright too.

 

[Mincer]

I'd rather not have little screws chewing into my palm. I just think the bent steel ones aren't a very good design.

 

[ehdwuld]

I'd rather not have little screws chewing into my palm. I just think the bent steel ones aren't a very good design.

The bent steel could be rolled out and sheared to width
Or just stamped on a press

The block style are a machining process

Probably automated now but more involved

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Yes... but Highwood saddles don't have screws sticking out either.