Strings binding at the saddles on my Strat.

[Diego]

My saddles bind my strings out of the block of my Strat. I always guessed that couldn't be good, and reading Dan Erlewine's book confirmed it. They produce a sharp angle that I presume lends itself to string breakage. Thank God I don't use the whammy bar or I'd be breaking strings all week.

What sort of tool do I need to carve the saddles and leave a clear way for the strings from the block to the top of the saddles? And how is it done?

If possible, please post a picture of said tool. My english sucks when it comes to tool names and DIY explanations overall. Thanks!

 

[ganzosrevenge]

Re: Strings binding at the saddles on my Strat.

you need some sort of drill with a tiny, finetoothed yet sharp wheel on the end of it, to make small divots (valleys) into each saddle. Be careful and make sure it's sharp, or you'll make more burrs for binding.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Strings binding at the saddles on my Strat.

I'd advise against using any sort of tool to grind the saddles. It the strings are binding, use a lubricant like "Big Bends Nut Sauce" on the apex of the saddle. A tiny amount goes a long way, and it will help prevent string breakage. Use it in the nut slots and your guitar tuning will be easier, and it will make your vibrato as smooth as silk.

If the strings are binding on the bridge plate, or as the come through the string holes in the saddles, again, a small bit of Nut Sauce can really help ease things up. You only want to use a very small amount.

Here's the website for the Nut Sauce, or order it from a catalog company like Musician's Friend if you can't find it in Chile.

http://www.guitaristonly.com/

This is a MUCH better solution than filing your bridge saddles. That should only be done as a matter of last resort.

Good luck!

Bill

 

[super rad stuff]

Re: Strings binding at the saddles on my Strat.

imo the best thing to do as far as the saddles go is to cut little strips of sandpaper and feed them in with the strings slack, and tighten them slightly so you can press the paper against the binding parts. personally i use 220/320 grit for all my saddle/nut stuff-220 to grind it down and 320 to even it out.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Strings binding at the saddles on my Strat.

I second the sandpaper or emery cloth approach. Just polish the heck out of those saddle tops and rough surfaces until they're smooth. Another approach would be to switch to Graphite or Brass saddles. That would change the tone a little although Graphite saddles do sound pretty good and a lot of guys swear by them. Lew

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Strings binding at the saddles on my Strat.

Pity that you did not specify which variety of Stratocaster bridge saddle is fitted on your guitar.

If it is the typical OEM Squier part, the usual causes of binding are the grooves worn into the saddles by the strings and the point on the baseplate where the strings emerge vertically and bends towards the hole through each saddle.

There are several good reasons to junk the Squier saddles and upgrade to brands such as Graph Tech String Savers.

If these are too expensive, take a tip from an article by Dan Erlewine about Stevie Ray Vaughan's Number One Stratocaster.

SRV was notoriously hard on strings. To prevent premature breakage, Vaughan's road tech threaded short lengths of electrical insulation tubing over the strings whilst restringing. The PVC tubes would ride over the break point of each saddle. (The article appeared in either Guitar World or Guitar Player magazine.)

Do not ask me what little pieces of PVC did to the guitar's tone?

 

[Diego]

Re: Strings binding at the saddles on my Strat.

Oh, forgot that. Mine is the Guitar Fetish upgrade steel trem/block for imports.
This one:

It has vintage style, bent steel saddles.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Strings binding at the saddles on my Strat.

Those pressed steel saddles would need to have become fairly corroded in order to cause the strings to bind.

Take a look at the string holes in the top face of the baseplate. If the edges left by drilling are vertical and sharp, expect string breakages. If the edges have been smoothed or even countersunk, things should be okay.

 

[Diego]

Re: Strings binding at the saddles on my Strat.

I don't think I've explained myself too well.
They're not binding at the saddle top, but at the holes of the saddles right after the exit of the strings from the trem block. It's not a matter of polishing the steel, I should actually carve the saddle holes deeper I think! But I don't know how to do it. I don't think I can do it with just a drill, right?

 

[DLT]

Re: Strings binding at the saddles on my Strat.

So it is the trem block that has a sharp edge...right?

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Strings binding at the saddles on my Strat.

Those pressed steel saddles would need to have become fairly corroded in order to cause the strings to bind.

Take a look at the string holes in the top face of the baseplate. If the edges left by drilling are vertical and sharp, expect string breakages. If the edges have been smoothed or even countersunk, things should be okay.

Read this again, peeps.

You have to remove the saddles in order to see the baseplate holes properly.

EITHER round any sharp edges with a countersink drill bit
OR use a small round hand needle file.

When you are finished, remember to coat the exposed steel with clear lacquer. Otherwise, rust sets in.