Bridge Saddles...Stainless Steel or Brass

thadacaster · June 6th, 2008, 01:22 PM

I am considering which type before I order my Calliham Tele Bridge with Enhanced Vintage Compensated saddles, they say the Stainless Steel offers a punchier sound with better sustain and the Brass is warmer with stronger Mids. I have heard bridges with brass saddles before, has anyone played or heard Stainless Steel?

robt57 · June 6th, 2008, 01:32 PM

Use that new google search here and do a search for 'Stainless Steel Saddles' The first few returns has info specific to your question.

It is a great question, but do not deprive yourself of the previous answers others have got from the same question, in addition to the ones you will get here.

Of course, when you get what you decide, your post telling us will add your own distinctiveness to the collective. How is that worded ??

Tommy Tourbus · June 6th, 2008, 01:42 PM

the bridge plate is steel. i don't know if i'd want al all-steel bridge. if the plate were brass i'd go w/steel saddles.

fenson · June 6th, 2008, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thadacaster

I am considering which type before I order my Calliham Tele Bridge with Enhanced Vintage Compensated saddles, they say the Stainless Steel offers a punchier sound with better sustain and the Brass is warmer with stronger Mids. I have heard bridges with brass saddles before, has anyone played or heard Stainless Steel?

IMO go for what Callaham site has to say based on your needs, and do not forget , tone controls on guitars and amps are there for a reason.

thadacaster · June 6th, 2008, 02:09 PM

Well said, and thanks folks...I found alot on this using the "Search" - guess I should have tried that before posting.

robt57 · June 6th, 2008, 02:34 PM

Excuse my manors, welcome. I did not spot your post as being early in your TDPRI social life. ;)

ajgus · June 6th, 2008, 02:41 PM

Welcome! I have found brass to be a bit brighter than steel. I guess, kinda the opposite of what you're saying. However, many have said that there is no real desernable difference.

Soulman · October 11th, 2008, 07:49 PM

i have just put some compensated brass saddles to replace the stock steel saddles on my Fender Highway One Upgrade Telecaster.

The steel saddles are definately punchier and louder, cut through the band better and have more highs...the brass ones are sweeter and mellower...more bluesy tone, but I need to add treble on my amp to be heard amidst the band when I switch to the neck and inbetween positon.

I'm not sure which I prefer at the moment.

MatteusNova · October 11th, 2008, 09:49 PM

I got Callaham steel saddles, that I just installed on my Tele. Chrome bridge, it's awesome.

PJ · October 12th, 2008, 12:29 AM

I just put a set of threaded steel (60s type) saddles on a humbucker Tele and I like how they balance the humbuckers, which can be thicker and warmer than single coils. But, on my normal-configuration Teles, I prefer brass.

doublee · October 12th, 2008, 11:36 AM

Under the theory that steel gives a little more highs, I put a mixed set on my Tele: steel for E thru G, and brass for B&E, because I wanted more treble on the lower strings and less on the high. I believe it helped with that somewhat.

I dont know if Callaham does mixed sets but Glendale does...

mad dog · October 12th, 2008, 12:01 PM

I'm going for the mixed set myself, a Glendale set with steel bass E and A, the other two brass. To go in a G&L ASAT Classic along with their steel bridge. It's just a guess on my part as to what will sound best.

June 6th, 2008, 01:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
thadacaster NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Tacoma, WA USA Age: 34 Posts: 9	Bridge Saddles...Stainless Steel or Brass I am considering which type before I order my Calliham Tele Bridge with Enhanced Vintage Compensated saddles, they say the Stainless Steel offers a punchier sound with better sustain and the Brass is warmer with stronger Mids. I have heard bridges with brass saddles before, has anyone played or heard Stainless Steel?

June 6th, 2008, 01:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
robt57 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Lost Yankee in Nashville Age: 51 Posts: 3,703 21 Photos	Use that new google search here and do a search for 'Stainless Steel Saddles' The first few returns has info specific to your question. It is a great question, but do not deprive yourself of the previous answers others have got from the same question, in addition to the ones you will get here. Of course, when you get what you decide, your post telling us will add your own distinctiveness to the collective. How is that worded ?? __________________ Leo's Great, Leo's Good, let us thank him for our... Twang!

June 6th, 2008, 02:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
robt57 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Lost Yankee in Nashville Age: 51 Posts: 3,703 21 Photos	Excuse my manors, welcome. I did not spot your post as being early in your TDPRI social life. ;) __________________ Leo's Great, Leo's Good, let us thank him for our... Twang!

June 6th, 2008, 02:41 PM	#7 (permalink)
ajgus Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: chicago Posts: 2,302	Welcome! I have found brass to be a bit brighter than steel. I guess, kinda the opposite of what you're saying. However, many have said that there is no real desernable difference. __________________ "I'm still married to my first wife...and that's my first guitar...she don't talk back to me, she talks for me..." -Stevie ray Vaughan

October 11th, 2008, 07:49 PM	#8 (permalink)
Soulman TDPRI Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 19	i have just put some compensated brass saddles to replace the stock steel saddles on my Fender Highway One Upgrade Telecaster. The steel saddles are definately punchier and louder, cut through the band better and have more highs...the brass ones are sweeter and mellower...more bluesy tone, but I need to add treble on my amp to be heard amidst the band when I switch to the neck and inbetween positon. I'm not sure which I prefer at the moment. __________________ I can't play country music.

June 6th, 2008, 01:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tommy Tourbus TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: seattle Posts: 71	the bridge plate is steel. i don't know if i'd want al all-steel bridge. if the plate were brass i'd go w/steel saddles.

June 6th, 2008, 02:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
thadacaster NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Tacoma, WA USA Age: 34 Posts: 9	Well said, and thanks folks...I found alot on this using the "Search" - guess I should have tried that before posting.

October 11th, 2008, 09:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
MatteusNova Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sweden, Svipjóð Posts: 308 3 Photos	I got Callaham steel saddles, that I just installed on my Tele. Chrome bridge, it's awesome. __________________ Telecaster is my thang, cuss it got that twang...

October 12th, 2008, 12:29 AM	#10 (permalink)
PJ Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 2,077 4 Photos	I just put a set of threaded steel (60s type) saddles on a humbucker Tele and I like how they balance the humbuckers, which can be thicker and warmer than single coils. But, on my normal-configuration Teles, I prefer brass. __________________ PJ "I don't know if it's art, but I like it."

October 12th, 2008, 11:36 AM	#11 (permalink)
doublee TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Garrison, NY Posts: 26	Under the theory that steel gives a little more highs, I put a mixed set on my Tele: steel for E thru G, and brass for B&E, because I wanted more treble on the lower strings and less on the high. I believe it helped with that somewhat. I dont know if Callaham does mixed sets but Glendale does...

October 12th, 2008, 12:01 PM	#12 (permalink)
mad dog Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 784	I'm going for the mixed set myself, a Glendale set with steel bass E and A, the other two brass. To go in a G&L ASAT Classic along with their steel bridge. It's just a guess on my part as to what will sound best.