Make comp saddles '51 RI?

I've done a fair share of grinding brass for Tele/Esquire Partscasters...

Has anyone ground down '51 RI P-Bass saddles to be compensated for better intonation? Should I do it?

Wilkinson's swivelling comp saddles (All-Parts part# BB_3355-001) look like a bad design, besides... I'm broke :)

I absolutely love my '51 RI... I've been getting the mod/customizing bug while looking at it, and perhaps I shouldn't mess with it (was thinking of routing for a Jazz Bass bridge pickup).

Maybe comp'ing the saddles will save the Bass from my terrible compulsions :twisted:

Why are the All-Parts part# BB_3355-001 saddles a bad design?

Not saying they are, don't own a pair, but...

It appears the rotation screw is sitting right over the intonation length screw. Not sure how that is good for the threads, or even if that's how it works.

My main concern is lack of funds. If I had the dough, I might try the Wilkinson/All-Parts ones - then I'd know if they're a good desing or not :)

Eeek I hated the dual saddles on my 55' style, changed it out for a 4 saddle brass wilkinson and am very happy. I really don't enjoy off kilter intonation and the problem with 2 saddle bridges us that they have to be spaced much farther than guitars so grinding the saddles can be futile as you will only get so much distance between the points of contact.
I would personally rather save up for these swiveling saddles or put in one with 4.

Eeek I hated the dual saddles on my 55' style, changed it out for a 4 saddle brass wilkinson and am very happy. I really don't enjoy off kilter intonation and the problem with 2 saddle bridges us that they have to be spaced much farther than guitars so grinding the saddles can be futile as you will only get so much distance between the points of contact.
I would personally rather save up for these swiveling saddles or put in one with 4.



Very true.

I'm looking at these saddles and realizing I only have so much real-estate to grind away. It just doesn't look like it'll work.

I have a '51 reissue that I put the Wilkinsons on and they work well. I haven't taken them apart, but I don't think the center pivot screw is long enough to make contact with the intonation screw and cause any problems. The only issue I had is the saddle adjustment screws were about twice as long as I needed them to be, so I cut them down and ground the bottoms smooth. Once I got the intonation set, I haven't had to mess with them.

As far as modding this bass, I think part of it's charecter is the fact that "it is what it is". A classic and simple, yet very unique and effective design in the world of standard P and J basses. That being said, it's your bass, so do what will make you happy.

Eeek I hated the dual saddles on my 55' style, changed it out for a 4 saddle brass wilkinson and am very happy. I really don't enjoy off kilter intonation and the problem with 2 saddle bridges us that they have to be spaced much farther than guitars so grinding the saddles can be futile as you will only get so much distance between the points of contact.
I would personally rather save up for these swiveling saddles or put in one with 4.

I have a reissue 51 pbass that is actually a P/J (Highly recommend the P/J on these) and I just didn't like the 2 saddle bridge and went with a 4 saddle. I much prefer it. It's not like I was needing any twang from my bass anyway:wink:

Just bend the screws, Gatton-style. Cheap, it works, and is infinitely adjustible to boot!

Or you can spend a bunch of money or grind things up. Your call. :lol:

- Scott