Bridge saddle issue

[TaterBoy]

Hey y'all
Ive got a hipshot on a mid 70's tele. Original bridge and saddles. After 9 mos or so of use I just recently noticed that the b-string has worn a groove in the saddle! Enough so that the string clinks in and out of the groove with some heavy finger picking. Any advice on arresting this development? Suggestions for replacement saddles that will last forever and twang nice?
Thanks....

[bendecaster]

I've got 2 P/W benders. One has, Believe it or not, Graph Tech string saver(black) saddles(it's a 6 saddle bridge) on it since '98 and still is in great shape. The other P/W has Graph Tech Tusq 3 saddle/compensated and also has worked well without incident.

I play these bender Tele's a good amount too! I was told that the graphite would be too soft. Go figure.

[Heyz]

You could try a steel saddle. Preferably with grooves or a threaded steel to keep the string from slipping around.
for a 3 saddle bridge...

example of threaded;
http://www.darrenriley.com/shop/cart...t_detail&p=223

example of grooved steel;
http://www.darrenriley.com/shop/cart...t_detail&p=794

example of compensated grooved steel (rutters)
http://ruttersguitars.com/Hot_Rod_Parts.html
http://app4.websitetonight.com/proje...elSaddles2.jpg

I've used the first two and ordered the last, Rutters saddles). I've had both threaded and grooved steel on my P/G b bender. I've got brass compensated saddles on my Forrest Lee Jr B & G bender but "believe" that the strings are cutting into the bridge so I ordered the Rutters for it. ("believe", not measured)

If the string is popping out of the groove, I've read that cutting a hole in the bridge (versus cutting a notch) and using the teflon with a hipshot works to hold the string down. I don't have that issue with my benders.

I hope this helps.

[jmiles]

"If the string is popping out of the groove, I've read that cutting a hole in the bridge (versus cutting a notch) and using the teflon with a hipshot works to hold the string down. I don't have that issue with my benders."

Cutting a hole gives you the needed down force. If a saddle wears out? Simply replace it. Never has happened to me though. And I despise 6 saddle bridges on a Tele.

[milocj]

I don't have any info to add that will help, but didn't a mid-'70s Tele come stock with three grooved steel saddles? I'm pretty sure that my '73 has grooved steel and its original. My friend also has a '76 (I think) Tele Custom that was the first to use the Fender 6-saddle bridge and I think his six saddles are also grooved steel, though it has been awhile since I've seen it.

Like I said, that doesn't help you out...I'm just curious as to how it grooved a steel saddle that I thought was pre-grooved. I just added a Hipshot to my other Tele with Wilkinson brass compensated saddles but haven't put enough time on it to see if there is any noticeable wear.

[telex76]

My b-bender cut thru my brass saddle pretty quickly.
I went with a threaded steel saddle for the B & E and it hasn't cut in at all after alot of use.

[joyster]

I'm using a graph-tech E/B saddle as the brass saddles on the Baja are too soft. I tried a pair of cheapo pre-grooved 'steel' saddles but they were just as soft! (I guess they were some cheap alloy chrome plated)

[BrianF]

The steel grooved saddle works best for the B-E string pair. Forget brass if your using a B Bender.. brass is too soft as you have discovered.

[TaterBoy]

Thanks gents.
Seems I am not unique in having this issue. Its no longer gig-able the way it is, so it looks like new saddles here I come.....
graphtec ?

[brookdalebill]

You could flip the saddle piece over.
Of course, you would need to flip and re-insert the height adjustment screws.
You could also buff the groove out.
The other suggestions made are great, too.
I prefer the sound of brass saddles over the grooved steel ones.

[BedspreadPicnic]

I'm gonna try one of these as well. Thanks.

[WrapAround]

I use a set of stainless steel saddles on my bender.

[Heyz]

Here's my Joe Strummer Tele. I have a Fender grooved steel for B/E and Wilkinson's tilt compensated for the others. I didn't like the "relic'd" threaded steel that came with the Joe Strummer for two reasons;
1) It felt like the string might be hanging up on the relic rust... it was breaking strings. the grooved steel seemed to reduce breakage.
2) Invariably I'd get the string in the wrong thread and have to drop tension and move it.

After I got the new guitar I dropped tuned this one to CACGBE with heavier gauge strings.. I didn't like the intonation of the straight saddles, hence the tilt compensated saddles. It's back in regular tuning now with light gauge strings.

I don't think you're going to cut through a "genuine Fender" steel saddle. Or any real steel saddle for that matter.

The graphtecs work for some people. for that matter brass works for some people. Since you really only need B/E (if indeed you have a 3 saddle bridge) you can mix and match if you'd like. I'd recommend something with a groove, thread or slot so the string doesn't move around. Have at it and let us know how it goes.

[bender-freak]

Little late to the "party", but on most of my Hipshot equipped teles, I use the titanium (ABS?) saddles. They are a little pricey, but they ain't NEVER gonna wear out in my lifetime. On my '96 P/G tele with added Hipshot, I use graphtechs; they've been on that guitar since the week I bought it and they show no sings of wear 16 years later and I've gigged the snot out of that guitar. Have no idea why some experience "wear and tear" on their saddles and others don't.

[TelePeter]

Glad I found this thread. I'm getting a bender put on my American Special Tele in May and was wondering if there was a preferred saddle type. For now I don't think there's any reason to go to a 6-saddle bridge other than intonation and I was going to get a compensated saddle anyways. So the consensus seems to be against brass and toward stainless steel or graphite? I wonder if the Graph Tech String Saver would let the B and G strings slide more than steel without lube?

[jmiles]

Maybe someone should try making saddles out of Oilite. Nathan Daniels used Oilite nuts on some early Danos.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oilite
Hmmmmm wonder if I can get some Oilite in the right sized rod stock??????

[BedspreadPicnic]

Just ordered a set of these. Thanks.