String Savers vs Fender saddles

[BenPerkins]

Good afternoon,

In getting parts together for a white & black Frankenstrat, I found a set of Graph Tech string savers in my parts bin, and I’m thinking of using these vs Fender saddles. Will there be much of a difference in tone? Or are offset saddles not recommended. Thank you.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Offset saddles are only recommended if that's what your bridge came with, my man. Otherwise, you're gonna have your strings be all offset.

I don't have direct experience, but every review I was reading when I was researching them is they make the tone warmer/darker/rounder compared to metal stuff. I'd go for metal saddles, personally unless you think your Strat is too icepicky or something. I kinda like my Strat to sound nice and stringy, so I went with Highwood bent steel saddles.

 

[BenPerkins]

Back in the parts bin they go. Thank you

 

[Mincer]

While you can't use yours, Graph Techs do have their own tone. I like what they do with the tone, but if you are used to the sound of bent saddles, it might take getting used to. They are warmer with a smoother attack.

 

[solspirit]

I honestly think it depends on your style and what you play.

 

[beaubrummels]

IME Graph Techs aren't as bright compared to stamped Fender types, but other things can make up for it a bit, like string material/composition, body/neck, tuner hardware, nut, etc.

 

[jeremy]

i use the string saver classics on a few guitars and really like em

 

[BeKindRewind]

I replaced both my Strats saddles (they both had the 80s/90s square brushed style saddles) with graphtech tusq saddles a while back. As I understand it they're basically string savers but tusq instead of graphite
To me, noticable tone difference isn't much to be honest but i would say it may have made it a tiny clearer and more sustain. They definitely seem to be an improvement in terms of smoothness and probably do mitigate string breaks at the bridge as advertised