To compensate or not to compensate?

[Guitar Rod]

That is the question. I'm seriously torn here. Need new brass saddles and I like the idea of better intonation, I don't like the looks compared to regular barrel saddles. The Gotoh saddles look closest to the part. The angled Fender ones look like an old timer tweaked the regular saddles with some pliers, which is cool. But good old barrels look the best. What do you like and experiences with each?

 

[dlew919]

I’ve said it a million times here but I’m really happy with my Wilkinson. Perfectly intonated but brass saddles like a traditional tele. Put it on and set it up myself. I put it on about 9 years ago and occasionally consider changing it. But I’m too happy with it.

Made my 1500 AUD Nashville sound like a 3000Aud guitar.

 

[dlew919]

Wilkinson Adjustable Compensated Bridge for Tele - StewMac

A three-saddle bridge that can be adjusted to play in tune!

www.stewmac.com

 

[nickmm]

Compensated Saddles are important to me if I want to record with that guitar.
The rest is a bit of cork sniffing.

 

[trev333]

Do you spend more time looking at your saddles....or playing on them.?..

I think function should prevail, if you think your intonation on regular brass saddles needs looking into..

 

[thegaijin]

You’ll hardly notice how they look once they’re on for a while, plus you’ll have proper intonation. I have Gotoh, Glendale, and Callaham and they all get the job done. It’s just math If there’s any difference in tone, I can’t hear it.

 

[MisterBlonde]

I don't have much experience with Tele's, not used to the traditional barrels. Did try slightly flat tuning but went for Gotoh 'in tune' brass saddles.

Not gonna bother with brass nut...

 

[MisterBlonde]

Compensated Saddles are important to me if I want to record with that guitar.
The rest is a bit of cork sniffing.

I don't have the right attire, or money, to be a corksniffer... lol

 

[FuncleManson]

I like the old-style barrels. Then I have an excuse for my bad intonation.

 

[nickmm]

View attachment 1016816

I don't have the right attire, or money, to be a corksniffer... lol

Notes of copper with a hint of brass, bitter aftertaste of out of tuneness.

 

[Slip Kid]

I’m for compensated. I’ve replaced the stock plate and saddles on my Tele with one from Callaham. I could live with the original set up if there was no alternative, like others did for 40-50 years, but like having the tuning improvement.

I did the same to my Rickenbacker 12 and replaced the standard 6 saddle bridge with a 12 (I don’t understand why that’s not standard at this point, it’s hard enough to tune and keep in tune as it is!).

 

[Blues Twanger]

What bugs you more, hearing the intonation error or seeing a compensated barrel?

 

[memorex]

I like a bridge that's easy to intonate, so I prefer the modern. If I cared about the differences in tone between bridges or saddes, I wouldn't have put noise cancelling pickups in both of my Teles. And since I play through a modeling pedal, I can make my partscaster sound like a Les Paul or Strat through a Marshall or Fender amp, or even an electro-acoustic. So who cares what sound comes out of the guitar jack.

 

[user name]

I'm not sure why anyone would chose regular saddles because they're "close enough" when there are so many great compensated options available nowadays. If you enjoy playing a chord anywhere above the 5th fret, you'll want a guitar that is intonationated. I like Glendale, but there are plenty of others that get the job done

 

[speranza]

I love the Glendale ones and after a few years of using them the uncompensated ones look weird to me. You'll get used to it!

 

[Guitar Rod]

Do you spend more time looking at your saddles....or playing on them.?..

I think function should prevail, if you think your intonation on regular brass saddles needs looking into..

Well looks must play into it for most people because otherwise they would just use a 6 saddle bridge instead of compensated saddles with a fixed intonation if function were the only objective.

 

[yegbert]

Most any: straight uncompensated, offset compensated, 6 block or barrel.

 

[brookdalebill]

Be in tune!
I have spoken!

 

[bobio]

I generally use Rutters Straight Compensated Brass Saddles.
Never had a problem getting perfect intonation out of them.

Rutters Brass Straight Comp Saddles

Individual discrete grooves to get that intonation right while retaining the vintage straight look. No string wandering; precision cut to vintage 2 1/8'' string spacing.

ruttersguitars.com

I also have been dabbling recently with Gotoh In-Tune saddles.
Still managed to get perfect intonation from them as well.

BS-TC1S - G-GOTOH

Brass "In-Tune" SaddleString Spacing : 10.8mm

g-gotoh.com

 

[hd09]

Plain old barrel saddles for me. Close enough to perfect.
.