New saddles for my Strat, an improved vintage style saddle!

[Ringo]

I got a set of Highwood Strat saddles from Stewart McDonald.
I've always hated having the screws on the saddles dig into my palm.
But these saddles are made differently, there is a loop at the front of the saddle. The lower part of the loop is threaded for the height adjustment screws, so they are recessed and don't stick out of the top of the saddle.
Just got them installed this evening, I'm taking my Strat in for a set up this week.

more info here
www.highwood-guitarparts.com/

And some pics

 

[kingvox]

Nice! I saw those on Stewmac but haven't tried them myself yet. They look really comfortable.

I do a fair amount of staccato picking using palm muting, and even if the screws don't "hurt" my hand they tend to grip it and make it harder to move. I'm really liking how rounded over those saddles look...seems like it would feel great. They look very nice as well.

Gonna add those to my wishlist so I don't forget. Thanks for sharing!

 

[adamsappel]

Nice design!

 

[awasson]

Those are great! Definitely on the wish list.

The bent saddles on my 94 MIM Strat are nice and low and they’re staggered lengths to follow the arc of the fretboard but my other one (CP60’s) has a 2-point bridge with bent saddles and the adjusters sit high enough to stick and immobilize my hand. These look like a great solution.

 

[Ebidis]

That's actually kinda brilliant. I might have to give them a try.

 

[Zepfan]

What? You mean I don't have to trim the height screws down anymore?

It's about time someone made these.

 

[gentlyweeping]

These are good. I've been using them for quite a while now. Glad we finally got a US distributor cause it was getting expensive ordering these from The Netherlands!

 

[Ringo]

These are not priced too high really, I have in the past used the Graphtech saddles, but they have gone up a lot in price, and don't sound the same as the vintage style saddles.
I bought these from StewMac but on eBay so didn't have to pay the shipping costs from Stewmac direct, which are a bit high IMO.

 

[archetype]

That’s simple, brilliant design. Why didn’t I design those? I’m simple.

 

[macatt]

The Wilkinson Gotoh VSVG trem comes with saddles that also feature that same wrap around type bent saddle. The intonation method is a little different.
It also features a press-in arm and it's a great trem.
I've been using them for years.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EB11ZN0/?tag=tdpri-20

As far as I know, you can't get the Wilkinson saddles separately but I posted this to show that idea has been done before.
If I was buying just the saddles, I'd go for the Highland.

S Mac

 

[Ringo]

I have seen that style bridge but it’s totally different, those saddles are made specially for that bridge notice how they are fastened to the tremolo plate, they wouldn’t fit or work on a Fender Strat bridge.

 

[schmee]

That's a good idea. I usually have to cut and file each screw to get the height right on the fender inserts.

 

[Ringo]

Got my Strat back from a local shop Revolve Music in Bartlett TN, they did a great set up. The new saddles are really nice, I've owned a bunch of Strats over the years but this one really feels plays and sounds great.
Late model American Special, very comfortable neck, 22 med jumbo frets, 9.5 radius, Fralin Vintage Hot pickups.

 

[jlagrassa]

Just installed these on my Modern Player Tele Plus and they work and feel awesome!

 

[brookdalebill]

Brilliant!
No more belt sander grinding the screws down down (from the underside)!

 

[macatt]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EB11ZN0/?tag=tdpri-20[/URL]
The intonation method is different though.
As far as I know, you can't get the Wilkinson saddles separately but I posted this to show that idea has been done before.
If I was buying just the saddles, I'd go for the Highwood.

S Mac

I have seen that style bridge but it’s totally different, those saddles are made specially for that bridge notice how they are fastened to the tremolo plate, they wouldn’t fit or work on a Fender Strat bridge.

I know that. See what I wrote?
The wrap around saddle with the threads in the bottom curve has been done before. On the wilkinson/Gotoh VSVG bridge. I never said that the saddles fit a Fender plate just that the design is not a new idea invented by Highwood as far as I know.

S Mac

 

[Ringo]

Not arguing just said these are the first saddles of this type I’ve seen that directly replace Fender vintage style saddles.
Also not keen on how those other saddles are adjusted for intonation , I’m sure it’s a good bridge.