NSD: New Saddles Day

Just had the final setup and picked up my guitar after the install on my Rutter's Steel Saddles for my Forrest Lee Double Bender.

1) I had worn 1/64" into the brass b saddle. Its good to have a tech who can measure. :)
2) The new Rutter's Saddles needed an additional slot filed into the B string saddle to keep it from popping out while finger bending. The G string had enough down-force as it is it's closer to the bridge. It took the guy a few minutes with a 0.013" file and emery cloth to do that while I waited.
3) The intonation, according to my tech, was near perfect. :)
4) I had worn 1/128" into the G string saddle.

I bought a $12 dollar Fender bridge plate from Musicians Friend for the new saddles, the two match almost perfectly. The tech had to remove some plating from one of the saddle screw holes... it is more on the Fender Bridge Plate side than the Rutter's Saddle side of the equation.

It looks great. And it's not in my head; I really do wear out brass saddles. I haven't spent any time with it yet. I'll put some hours on it over the next few days.

I have a set of GraphTec saddles for my another bender as I got free shipping with the $12 bridge plate if I order something additional. It will be months before I've got that guitar sorted. ;)

good luck with them.

telepeter posted a nice pic of their Rutter's chrome plated brass saddles. These are the Rutters steel saddles. Also, the switch tip is Rutters.

I've got a few hours on them now and like them a lot. No issues, good intonation.

Pretty guitar! We'll have to do follow up posts after maybe six months to see how they hold up. Do you have to lube the saddles?

Yes, they need lubrication. I've just started using Finish Line Ceramic wax now. It seems to be staying on the saddles. I guess every time you reapply it will last a bit longer. I'll keep a pencil and sharpener in the case to get by if I have to.

I'm sure that if they do squeak a bit, they wont wear out like my brass ones did. In 6 months I'll have a set of Graphtecs as well on another guitar. This guitar will stay as is. It sounds great and I like the look of the Rutters hardware.