graphite saddles (string savers)?

[timewave]

Hey all,just bought some graphite saddles(string savers) off M.F. anyone have them? any good?

[Wrong-Note Rod]

This probably isnt a forum where those are going to be popular.

If you do break a lot of strings, you might find them to be very helpful.

Personally, I like graphite nuts, because I do a lot of bending and the guitars with the graphite nuts I have, tend to stay in tune better than those with bone or epoxy, even with graphite powder poured into the slot.

I've had guys tell me its going to kill the tone; I dont really pay that sort of talk any attention; it still sounds like me when I play it.

[Stickyfingers]

I have them on my B bender. I use the bender a LOT and have not had any issues. I tried everything else and either had breakage problems, or the B string would saw into what ever was under it. Easier to set intonation also. I also work over the nut with a graphite pencil at each string set change. As well as the bender, I use a drop D lever, and I want it to come back every time, which it does. So, they work great for me, but others mileage may vary of course....

[boris bubbanov]

I bought 3 sets (big discount) from Stewart Mac.

With brand new strings, they tamed some of the trashy noises I was getting from some cheap guitars and seemed ok.

But once the strings played in, something was gone. No sparkle. Someone here recently said it is as though the saddle was made from dried chewing gum. I made a mistake; I consider the money I spent totally wasted.

No idea where those saddles are and if they're around here they're not for sale.

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Bear in mind, a couple guys will solemnly promise you there is no way you won't love them. I fell for that, once. Don't go for it.

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Hard to explain, but the same material works fine as a nut.

[docwest37206]

I've used sting savers off & on for 30 or 40 years. They can help with string breakage. Any difference in timbe I can work with.
Timewave - you're the guy who just bought your first set. Try 'em and see what you think. Yours is the only opininion that needs to matter.

[timewave]

Hey Thanks Doc we'll see how it goes

[photoweborama]

I've heard they take a little of the brightness out of the guitar, but I'm not sure, I've never used them myself.

I retrofitted a customers Strat with them, he bought a kit that had the saddles and a new nut. Sounded OK to me.

I have a set in my parts box, but they have been sitting there for about 5 years now..

[beatup78]

I have a set of the compensated saddles on my '78, since many times I can only bring one guitar to the gig, and cannot afford a broken string mid-show. They take a little bit of the tone away (top end/brightness), but nothing I cannot compensate for with amp settings. They do give peace of mind on those one-axe fly gigs, however. I have other Tele's with brass saddles that sound sweet, so no worries.

[timewave]

I was orig.looking for a set of brass saddles that would fit my HW1 tele and had no luck finding them 27/32 in. saddles,any one who might have such a set or know where I can get them please e-mail me @stevetucc@yahoo.com Thanks All!

[bullfrogblues]

I put a set on my Tele Custom II, the original Squier saddles were breaking strings. I didn't really notice any difference in tone, and I haven't broken a string lately.

[timewave]

Well Thanks all!
We will see how they work out today when I bring my tele to my tech and have it set up,also changing pick guard to a little wilder look,tired of the gtr looking like I play for the 4 seasons in 1968(honey blonde,w/wht pg)

[JohnS]

I have tried the SS saddles on a Am Series Tele. They worked OK, but there is a problem. They used to make a conductive set, but no more. The standard non-conductive set does not maintain the string ground needed for quiet operation. Took them out. Nuff said.

[chrisgblues]

Been using them for probably 15 years or so...can't remember now.

Had them on...had them off...had them back on again...had them back off again...

I finally got it where I like it! I just use the string savers on the 1st and 2nd strings (the high E and B) because those were the main culprits for string breakage. The other 4 saddles are just steel. I would rather use all steel because I personally hear a slight dampening of the high frequencies with string savers (very slight.....) but I'll be darned if they aren't the best thing since sliced bread for saving strings!!!!! When you're gigging, that's pretty much the most important thing.

Save yourself years of fiddling around and do what I did. Oh who am I kidding...you gotta figure out what works for you right?

JMHO. YMMV.

[backalleyblues]

Put them on my foto-flame telly after I was breaking strings left right and center on the original saddles, no breakage now! Will say the tone did change, and for this guitar the better-bass is fuller now, the top end is a little less bright... original saddles sounded alright, but bass on a basswood body just ain't gonna happen.

Horses for courses, I suppose... I'm sure I wouldn't use them on all my guitars, but they worked good on this one...

Franc Robert

[timewave]

Got em on today cant say I hear a very big change in highs,but strings are new(kinda like the sound . Happy so far! Thanks All

[jefrs]

I tried them on a strat. They are a graphite-loaded plastic, and sound like it too.
I quickly reverted to steel strat saddles.

The material a saddle is made of does affect the sound - brass, steel and aluminium have their own merits, very hard woods like ebony, rosewood and boxwood can be quite bright, bone and plastic are used on acoustics, HD nylon is used effectively on some ToM and roller saddles, but I am afraid plastic is not my ears' favourite for saddle or nut, even if graphite loaded. ymmv and hope you like them.

[timewave]

I"m trying to break a string and .....nope . I bent the high e,almost to the low e and...no break. The sound diff. cant really notice! new set up on gtr, but the strings are getting played alot since so we will see! so far no complaints!

[boris bubbanov]

Some guys break strings often and in the middle of a show, that's not a good thing.

But for those who don't break strings except very rarely, the need is not there.

Reminds me of a guy I know who bought a vehicle that was way too expensive and he truly hates everything about it except - it had 2 more airbags none of the other choices had. I'm just not inclined that way.