Recently, I found that the strings on my strat were buzzing a lot, especially the D and G. The buzzing was worst when I played open strings but not as bad (still pretty bad though) when I played elsewhere. I couldn't figure out what the problem was until I changed the strings and found that parts of the saddles had rusted. The strings had cut into the rusty part of the saddles and created a small trough of sorts. When I moved the strings out of the trough and into a part of a saddle that wasn't very rusty, the buzzing stops. My question is, is there anyway to fix this problem without replacing the saddles?
Rusty Saddles
- Thread starter AG2997
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darthphineas
New member
Rusty Saddles
What kind of version of Strat bridge? Stock standard saddles? Photos for confirmation of what you're dealing with?
What kind of version of Strat bridge? Stock standard saddles? Photos for confirmation of what you're dealing with?
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CTN
The Drama Dude
Re: Rusty Saddles
bent steel saddles?
depends how deep the grooves are. I had a similar problem recently when I wanted to switch from graph tech string saver saddles to the original bent steel saddles. The saddles had a good bit of wear and tear (rust) on them and string grooves.
I used some miniature fine-cut files to take some material off and smooth out the grooves so the string could rest on a smooth piece of steel rather than sitting in the groove. Then I used the wire brush attachment on my dremel to take off much of the file marks and smooth it further, and finally buffed it with some polishing compound and a buffing wheel, again using my dremel. You can also use the wire brush and buffing wheel on the main body of the saddle to get the rust off.
You can use the same method with cast zinc or cast steel or brass saddles, but instead of creating a smooth surface for the string to rest on, you need to make sure the walls of the V-groove of the saddle is smooth and that the strings aren't binding anywhere in that V. If they are plated cast saddles, just fyi, the files and wirebrush will likely take off some of the plating.
It's a bit of a pain in the ass, but the saddles come out looking and performing like new.
I wouldn't use WD40. It's a lubricant, but it doesn't really fix the problem you're having. Also it's a royal pain in the ass to clean off if you ever get sick of your hand being oily every time you touch anything that you put WD40 on. In general, I prefer not to use WD40 anywhere near guitars except as a dead-last resort when i have exhausted every other solution involving cleaning/lubricating/solvent.
bent steel saddles?
depends how deep the grooves are. I had a similar problem recently when I wanted to switch from graph tech string saver saddles to the original bent steel saddles. The saddles had a good bit of wear and tear (rust) on them and string grooves.
I used some miniature fine-cut files to take some material off and smooth out the grooves so the string could rest on a smooth piece of steel rather than sitting in the groove. Then I used the wire brush attachment on my dremel to take off much of the file marks and smooth it further, and finally buffed it with some polishing compound and a buffing wheel, again using my dremel. You can also use the wire brush and buffing wheel on the main body of the saddle to get the rust off.
You can use the same method with cast zinc or cast steel or brass saddles, but instead of creating a smooth surface for the string to rest on, you need to make sure the walls of the V-groove of the saddle is smooth and that the strings aren't binding anywhere in that V. If they are plated cast saddles, just fyi, the files and wirebrush will likely take off some of the plating.
It's a bit of a pain in the ass, but the saddles come out looking and performing like new.
I wouldn't use WD40. It's a lubricant, but it doesn't really fix the problem you're having. Also it's a royal pain in the ass to clean off if you ever get sick of your hand being oily every time you touch anything that you put WD40 on. In general, I prefer not to use WD40 anywhere near guitars except as a dead-last resort when i have exhausted every other solution involving cleaning/lubricating/solvent.
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SirJackdeFuzz
New member
Re: Rusty Saddles
No one told Rory Gallagher about rusty str@t saddles
No one told Rory Gallagher about rusty str@t saddles
Andrew Lamprecht
Minion of One
Re: Rusty Saddles
I love that strat.
I love that strat.
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Rusty Saddles
Try a very small dab of Big Bends Nut Sauce on the apex of the saddle where the string crosses.
Rusty Saddles....hey, didn't he ride with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans?
Bill
Try a very small dab of Big Bends Nut Sauce on the apex of the saddle where the string crosses.
Rusty Saddles....hey, didn't he ride with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans?
Bill
DreX
New member
Re: Rusty Saddles
Rust doesn't cause buzzing, AFAIK. Maybe the action is so low and the cut in the saddle so deep that it brings the string down to the point of buzzing against the frets, although that doesn't seem as likely to be the case if it also happens with open strings. Saddles are pretty cheap, though, I'd just replace them. The strings are liable to snag and break on that cut.
Rust doesn't cause buzzing, AFAIK. Maybe the action is so low and the cut in the saddle so deep that it brings the string down to the point of buzzing against the frets, although that doesn't seem as likely to be the case if it also happens with open strings. Saddles are pretty cheap, though, I'd just replace them. The strings are liable to snag and break on that cut.
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