New Floyd saddles not like old saddles?

[Top-L]

Every Floyd Rose Special I have seen have had different proportions than an OFR. I wouldn't expect any parts to be interchangable. Even the locking nuts aren't, so I'm positive that this has to be so by design.

I own two FRS guitars and the parts are interchangeable with my two OFR guitars.

The FRS stay in tune perfectly like the OFR, the only difference is the block needs to be replaced, and the saddles are inferior quality.

 

[nexion218]

Maybe. But I've used this level of torque on all my Ibeanez Edge and OFR trems for years and never had a saddle break. I've only ever had two saddles break, and they were on this FRS trem.

The FRS saddles are made of cast metal, and are not as sturdy. I always thought they were underengineered on purpose. If they were as sturdy as OFR saddles, the trem would essentially be as good as an OFR (with a block replacement).

Because a set of FRS saddles cost $20, I kinda view them like strings.

Ive gotten in the habit of using this level of torque to stop any string slipping.

Yep, the cast metal is the problem. The steel strings are are much harder than them, and when too much torque is applied, the pot metal gives in to the string and indentations are created in the saddles, essentially enlarging the pocket. You can see them when changing strings, sometimes even the blocks have them too. Thats what will eventually cause the strings slipping: one needs to crank the screw harder to get the block to push more on the strings, creating bigger indentations and not being able to retain the strings under tension. And then comes a point where the screw cannot be tightened any harder, the string locking block deforms the pocket and/or the screw strips the thread. Both the block and the screw are hatder than the pot metal saddles , so its only natural the saddles gives in.

 

[dave74]

Those cheaper old Jackson trems were like that too. They were probably all crap metal head to toe.

 

[Top-L]

Yep, the cast metal is the problem. The steel strings are are much harder than them, and when too much torque is applied, the pot metal gives in to the string and indentations are created in the saddles, essentially enlarging the pocket. You can see them when changing strings, sometimes even the blocks have them too. Thats what will eventually cause the strings slipping: one needs to crank the screw harder to get the block to push more on the strings, creating bigger indentations and not being able to retain the strings under tension. And then comes a point where the screw cannot be tightened any harder, the string locking block deforms the pocket and/or the screw strips the thread. Both the block and the screw are hatder than the pot metal saddles , so its only natural the saddles gives in.

But on the plus side, the pot metal saddles are $25 for a set of six and readily available. So basically a saddle costs 4 bucks. This guitar was heavily played over ten years and had two saddles break in that time. Saddles cheaper than strings.

Don't get me wrong, I like the FRS trem and the fact you can get something that works so well on bargain basement guitars.