Blazing Saddles

[mijstrat72]

So I am on a saddle hunt for my esquire. I'd like to stay with the traditional look of the 3 brass saddles...I have the 3 nickel coated saddles currently. I like them, and they work, but I want to venture into brass for diversities sake.

So I'm looking at the beveled type compensated saddles, the compensated offset drilled type saddles, and then there are the traditional brass saddles, with no compensation.

What do you folks think? Stay retro or go new school?

[Parma_TeleMon]

I went beveled. Pretty happy with the results.

[Fatmanstratman]

The bevelled type of saddles to which you refer are most likely the Wilkinson "Compensated" saddles. I have tried them and found them to be worse than useless - others here may have different opinions.

I have had the best success with the Glendale "Cutting Edge" intonated saddles:



These made a HUGE difference to my intonation - in fact, I would say that it is as near as you can possibly get with a three-saddle bridge. Here they are on my 50s Classic:



Superbly engineered, beautifully made. Not cheap, but worth every penny. In time I will fit these to EVERY Telecaster I own.

As a comparison, I also tried a set of the (much cheaper) Stewart MacDonald compensated saddles:



These are just slightly "tilted" - there doesn't seem to have been an awful lot of thought put into them. They are not "engineered" to fit perfectly together like the Glendales. Here they are on my old reliced beater:



All-in-all, they DO work to some extent, and HAVE improved the intonation - just nowhere near as good as the Glendales. I guess the old maxim is true, in that "You get what you pay for...".

You are right to do your research before buying - the saddles are one of the most important parts of your setup, and I'm sure the good folks here will give you all the advice you need.

[KevinB]

I use Callaham's Enhanced Vintage Compensated brass saddles on my Esquire. They are simply superb...

[spotface]

Glendale=awesome

[HC]

I have the Stew-Mac compensated ones. They work great and mine looks just fine compared to Fatmanstratman's, but maybe not as good as the Glendale ones.

[musicmatty]

I recently did a setup on a new Highway 1 Tele with the stock 3 saddles...they intonated perfectly. Not one of the six strings was off on it's tuning...is this unusual for stock saddles??

[TeleVisor]

I just put Glendale's on my '52 AVRI. Better tone and perfect intonation. Just ordered another set for another Tele.

[cotecj]

Don't fool around, get the Glendales.

[leylandbobby]

Hi, can I ask where you bought your Glendales from. Did you have to go direct?
regards, Dave.

[Ringo]

I have a set of the Callaham Enhanced saddles and a Callaham bridge plate, great stuff.
Nothing wrong with Glendale either.

[caytele]

...used them all,they all work well...although the Glendales seem to be a bit more precise with the intonation...The Wilkinsons work well too..(in fact i really love the Wilkinsom bridges that come with these saddles...the chrome finished ones really can add some nice sparkle to an otherwise dull sounding tele, while the black finish ones can reduce the 'ice pick' sound of the bridge pickup that some teles exhibit),...although the sharp edge can play havoc with your high 'E' and 'B' strings..i solved that by dulling the edge slightly with some 600 sandpaper...

[Fatmanstratman]

Originally Posted by leylandbobby

Hi, can I ask where you bought your Glendales from. Did you have to go direct?
regards, Dave.

Yes Dave - just type in "Glendale saddles" on Google, and you'll find a link which will take you to the saddles page on Dale's website. Plenty of choice!

You can pay by credit card on the site. Dale ships very promptly and the saddles arrive at Fatmanville in the UK within just a few days.

You will NOT be disappointed. I only tried them because the folks here spoke so highly of them, but I was blown away by both the quality and the fact that they really work! I've never considered using anything else since......

[polidechi]

... I have "sitarizer brass saddles". Although they are meant to imitate the sound of a sitar (and it work fine !) when tuned up in the right position they also keep a nice sound when held in regular position.

[polidechi]

Sorry, forgot the pic.

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1258243042

[Fatmanstratman]

Originally Posted by polidechi

... I have "sitarizer brass saddles". Although they are meant to imitate the sound of a sitar (and it work fine !) when tuned up in the right position they also keep a nice sound when held in regular position.

Can't see your pic, polidechi, but we did discuss this concept before.

Do they look like these by any chance?

[El Reclusa]

Wow. Where does one obtain a set of "Sitarizer" saddles?

[KevinB]

From Thomann...in Germany

[mijstrat72]

Those are wild looking saddles. I snapped up a pair of vintage brass saddles for now, but I'm going find some of the Glendales asap. Thanks for the advice.

[Jammin'John1]

I use both type of Callaham,3 saddle compensated.
I have a Barden as well.

JJ

[leylandbobby]

Originally Posted by Fatmanstratman

Yes Dave - just type in "Glendale saddles" on Google, and you'll find a link which will take you to the saddles page on Dale's website. Plenty of choice!

You can pay by credit card on the site. Dale ships very promptly and the saddles arrive at Fatmanville in the UK within just a few days.

You will NOT be disappointed. I only tried them because the folks here spoke so highly of them, but I was blown away by both the quality and the fact that they really work! I've never considered using anything else since......

Many,many thanks. If it's good enough for you lot....
Now all I've got to do is work out which permeation to go with

[stephent2]

I like the Glendale saddles a lot and have used them on many guitars. His cold rolled steel may be my favorite. Great intonation.

I recently picked up a couple sets of Budz TripleThreat Saddles in brass that I like a lot as well. Nice design and great sound. From the Budz site,..

[ADK Teleman]

I have the stock Fender 3 saddle bridge on my HWY 1 Tele and I absolutely love it. Maybe it is just my style of play but they are perfect..:) But I do have the 3 saddle Glendales Brass on one of my others and I love that..absolutely awesome!!

[blimpo]

I have glendales and never regretted it.

Buy the glendales and it will rid you of any worry.
Mine let me play in tune and the tone is superb. What else do you need.

Yeah, they're more expensive, but after you are dead and gone, they will still be on a guitar somewhere sounding good. They're that good....

[Dion]

The Glendale saddles are worth every penny, do it!

[telepathetic]

I have the Glendale's on my flower Tele.



Wilkinson on this one.


VERY happy with both!

[Groovey Records]

1949 Fender Snake Head Prototype Bridge
W carbon steel saddles


Glendale Wide In Tone Brass Saddles on Custom Solid Brass Bridge

[surfco]

Nice.