TUSQ saddles or Graphite?

[Frantic_Rock]

Hey guys.
I'm sorry to bring this up again :smack:
But i'm looking to improve the tone of my guitar as much as possible using a set of new saddles.

I have 6 vintage metal saddles on my strat right now.

I'm going to install graphite or tusq saddles and a roller nut.
Which saddles should i go for?

I just seen these terra glides..
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Nuts,_saddles/Electric_guitar_saddles/FerraGlide_Saddles.html

TUSQ saddles...

or Graph-tech...

Which ones will sound absolute BEST?

Anyone at all?

What would YOU put in?

 

[Frantic_Rock]

Re: TUSQ saddles or Graphite?

Anyone at all?

 

[sgstrat]

Re: TUSQ saddles or Graphite?

I can't say which is best but I've had Graph-Tech saddles in one of my strats for years and have been completely satisfied. I have recently used a Tusq saddle on a Guild D-25 acoustic and Tusq bridge pins on my Martin and they improved the tone of both guitars. However, I don't think Graph-Tech makes Tusq saddles for Strats.

I've ordered direct from Graph-Tech and both their products and service are excellent.

P.S. Why do you want to install a roller nut? I would use a regular nut made from bone, Graph-Tech or Tusq instead.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: TUSQ saddles or Graphite?

My main axe has Graph-Tech StringSaver saddles, and I´ve actually gotten to the point where the stock saddles are the first things to go on ANY axe.

´Nuff said?

Although I have to add I personally despise roller nuts and would recommend a Graphtech Trem-nut (if trem-axe) or TUSQ

*EDIT* BTW, Sgstrat, I think Graph-Tech now also makes saddles with a TUSQ insert at the breaking point (although I´ll stick to my String Savers. They´s da real thing, Man )

 

[TheProphet]

Re: TUSQ saddles or Graphite?

Another satisfied Graphtech Customer

 

[Frantic_Rock]

Re: TUSQ saddles or Graphite?

Thanks for the tip.

I don't think the TUSQ saddles on allparts.com are by graph tech, but regardless i think i'll get them.

I wanted a roller nut because I thought I can get my strat to stay in tune better through dive bombing (i have locking tuners). But I guess those 6-point tremolos are next to impossible to keep in tune...

 

[Frantic_Rock]

Re: TUSQ saddles or Graphite?

Okay I see.

I guess i'm chasing a ghost here - the roller nut won't do much for me...

K then it's settled. Graph tec string savers with a bone nut

 

[Zerberus]

Re: TUSQ saddles or Graphite?

Thanks for the tip.

I don't think the TUSQ saddles on allparts.com are by graph tech, but regardless i think i'll get them.

IIRC, Allparts is a licensed GT Distributor, so they´re almost certainly the real thing

I wanted a roller nut because I thought I can get my strat to stay in tune better through dive bombing (i have locking tuners). But I guess those 6-point tremolos are next to impossible to keep in tune...

Not true, I can get a 6 point to stay in tune almost as well as a Floyd with Graph-tech Nut + trees and a set of Sperzels or other good locking tuners

But a Bone nut and powdered graphite usually work just as well

 

[Frantic_Rock]

Re: TUSQ saddles or Graphite?

IIRC, Allparts is a licensed GT Distributor, so they´re almost certainly the real thing



Not true, I can get a 6 point to stay in tune almost as well as a Floyd with Graph-tech Nut + trees and a set of Sperzels or other good locking tuners

I have sperzels. Now Your saying the nut has to be graph tec and the trees too? (Some kind of special trees?)

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: TUSQ saddles or Graphite?

I would like to put graphtech saddles on my Highway 1, but they don't make them with the vintage style. I think for mine I'll go with a slipstone nut from Stewmac and locking tuners. I loved the Graphtech saddles on my American Standard.

As for setting up the vintage 6 point bridge, I set mine up as recommended on the Callaham guitar site. I also ordered a bridge assembly from them...supposed to be the best vintage parts on the market...barr none. Here's the specs from Callaham's website on setting up the bridge...it works great for me.

Callaham Guitars


When installing a new bridge or checking the set-up of your current bridges, I recommend the following:

On vintage styled bridges the pivot screws need to be down almost to the top plate. I screw the screw down until it touches the plate and lifts the back off the body. Then back the screw off until the plate rests back down on the body. You should feel small movements, side to side and forward and back of the bridge. It pivots fully up and down. Too far down and the bridge will bind. Too far away and the bridge will slide up the screws. Both mistakes cause tuning problems.

I recommend a minimum of 4 springs for the bridges. They should be set so that if you are doing double stop bends, the guitar remains at pitch. This means the top plate will have a slight pressure against the body. Sorry no pull ups with a vintage bridge, unless you can live with pitch problems.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: TUSQ saddles or Graphite?

I have sperzels. Now Your saying the nut has to be graph tec and the trees too? (Some kind of special trees?)

Not "have to", a properly cut bone nut and decent trees(AM Std or better) work fine for most. But Graph-Tech also makes string trees out of the Trem-nut material, and I definitely give them :bigok:

 

[Frantic_Rock]

Re: TUSQ saddles or Graphite?

Thanks Jeff man!
Ya i have 4 springs on my red Highway 1 strat right now. The bridge is lying on the body and i can bend a note with other holding out no problem. I haven't checked my 6 screws ever because i didn't know what to look for but now thanks to you I just might!!!

I'm going to get a bone (or graph tec) nut soon and new saddles, and give it to the tech to install the nut.

My guitar needs some checking ... I shielded it but the improvement hasn't been apparent (my tech will check it out - he's unbelievable)

 

[Frantic_Rock]

Re: TUSQ saddles or Graphite?

Not "have to", a properly cut bone nut and decent trees(AM Std or better) work fine for most. But Graph-Tech also makes string trees out of the Trem-nut material, and I definitely give them :bigok:

Thanks Zerb man!! I'm all excited now - WEEEEEEE!!!!

After this there's nothing that I can possibly add to my axe to improve it !!! (maybe a midrange booster ! hehee )