STRAT saddles and Bridges

[ehdwuld]

Which saddles do you prefer?
Bent
Block
Roller
Brass Block
Brass roller
Fixed (like on the Floyd or VS100)

I have one of the Wilkinson M Series bridges on my Fesley
It has the bent saddles and the push in arm
I really like the push in arm and the way it sounds
But it doesn't "sound" dramatically different than my other two

But if I'm gonna upgrade either of the others to the Wilkinson
I would like to know what your opinions are
There are so many choices

Do I stay with the six screw?
Does the two point loose sustain?
Bent or Block?
Roller?
Fixed (as on the VS100)
They even have a locking version
The WVLS that locks the sting to the saddle....

Ok here are the images of what I have

The M Series on my Fesley


The OEM Block saddles on my Squire Standard


The six screw no name on my IYV


The IYV has a 36mm Block but has room for the full size 40mm like the other two have

The two point spacing on my Squire is the wider 62mm not thee 54 like on the Fesley

All three guitars have string spacing of 54mm

I think I can convert the IYV to two points easily, unless we agree that that's detrimental to the tone / return to zero

What's the group's opinion?

 

[uOpt]

Bent steel, otherwise I use a Les Paul

 

[Mincer]

My palm likes the block ones, preferably Graph Tech.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I like bent steel. They sound brighter. I like my Strats to sound bright.

There are downsides to the bent steel ones, though. But Highwood Saddles address those, so those are my favorite.

 

[ehdwuld]

What do y'all think about 2 point vs 6 screw vintage

I have heard that the 6 screw doereturn to zero as well
Also I have heard there is a loss of tone with the two point

Does anyone have any thoughts on that?

 

[Mincer]

2 point feels better to me. Both are at the mercy of the nut, as far as returning in tune.

 

[jeremy]

i voted bent steel, but specifically callaham bent steel. there are other good ones too

 

[Sam SG]

I Vote Bent Steel.
My favorite strat bridge I ever had was a 70s one piece trem( block and plate are one) with bent steel saddles I put on. That setup added so much tone to the guitar I put it on.

 

[JMP/HBE]

Gibson.

 

[uOpt]

What do y'all think about 2 point vs 6 screw vintage

I have heard that the 6 screw doereturn to zero as well
Also I have heard there is a loss of tone with the two point

Does anyone have any thoughts on that?

Among the Strats I liked sound-wise it is always (to the best of my memory) 6-point.

One trick with 6-point is to tighten it down with the 2 outer screws mainly and leave the 4 inner ones a bit more loose.

 

[Chistopher]

When going vintage, 6 point looks better. But if I was building a Strat around the tremolo, I would use a blade design like a Super Vee or Vega Trem

 

[ehdwuld]

When going vintage, 6 point looks better. But if I was building a Strat around the tremolo, I would use a blade design like a Super Vee or Vega Trem

Well I plan to upgrade the ones I have
And I was wondering if there was any benefit to molding the 6 screw to a 2 point

I like the VS100


It comes in a 2 point and a 6 screw i think

 

[GuitarStv]

I want something smooth under my palm that isn't going to cut or poke me. I've got several Floyd setups that are meet this criteria and sound good to me.

 

[jeremy]

Well I plan to upgrade the ones I have
And I was wondering if there was any benefit to molding the 6 screw to a 2 point

I like the VS100


It comes in a 2 point and a 6 screw i think

wilkinson makes some good stuff. i have an old vsvg thats been great for 20+ years

 

[ehdwuld]

I saw this variation of the VS100

Kinda between trem and hardtail

 

[jeremy]

they make a variety of awesome stuff https://www.wilkinsondirect.com/

 

[Juanhanglo]

Wilkinson by gotoh. Go to the gotoh site

They have all the versions.

I'd go for the vs1300 with the locking saddles and strings.

That and the reintroduced wilky roller nut (loce these!) and locking tuners are going on my next build.

I am looking for max comfort and stability.

I havent found anything better to date

 

[Mincer]

The Wilkinson is a fantastic trem that functions well, and feels great to play. I don't know what you'd have to do to make a 6 screw trem into a 2 point one, but my guess is that you'd see at least 4 screw holes.

 

[jeremy]

there are plenty of good six hole options out there as well

 

[Ascension]

What do y'all think about 2 point vs 6 screw vintage

I have heard that the 6 screw doereturn to zero as well
Also I have heard there is a loss of tone with the two point

Does anyone have any thoughts on that?

Both the Wilkerson 100's on my US Washburns and the Ghoto 510 on my Kiesel Delos have absolutely no loss of sustain to a regular 6 screw bridge. I have owned many with 6 screws including the PRS US system, they had no increase in sustain over the 2 posts.
It's all about set up, but my favorite system is the Ghoto 510 with a properly set up Wilkerson 100 right behind it. The Ghoto 510 on My 23 Delos is super smooth, articulate rock solid in tuning and sounds great!