Wilkinson compensated saddles

[Gilby]

Are these saddles the best option for intonation improvement or do I go for a modern bridge.
I've very recently bought a tele copy, (I know I should be posting a pic but I'm a bit slow in learning how to do such things on the iPhone). It's a Farida FTC 12, basically a tele with different headstock and the body shape is a little odd. The body mass at the cutaway is short, however, the neck felt the same as the cv50 squire and was as equally well finished. Tone was nice, little more "aggressive" than the cv. Felt and sounded so much better than a squire standard that sound quite dull in comparison. Only fault as such is it's weight, couldn't tell you what wood but the guitar is Chinese made.

Anyway, best move for intonation suggestions please folks.

Oh, forgot
Cv50 @£280
Standard squire @£220
Farida FTC 12 @£199 list, bought at a lot less !

 

[CrisHendrix]

Yeah I have a set, they work great

 

[Telliot]

I have a Callaham, with brass compensation saddles. Probably the best thing I could have done for that guitar.

 

[Gilby]

Callaham gear looks tasty ! Not sure if there is a uk distributor though.
Thanks for the swift replies.

 

[mobaar]

I've never used the Wilky compensated saddles myself, and while I think you'll get a bit of a tonal improvement over a 6-saddle configuration, and better intonation than the standard 3-saddle brass setup, it still won't give you *perfect* intonation. Some folks have said it's still just a little off, but honestly, at that point, it's really picking nits. Just don't expect any static bridge saddles to give you perfect intonation, but they'll certainly get you closer. I think it's worth it though to have the sound of brass 3-saddle over the modern 6-saddle.

HTH

~Mo

 

[mobaar]

Oh, and a Farida pic just for reference (cool looking guitar!):

 

[Gilby]

That's the one. I've already posted about buying a telly on a small budget and even after scrapping the extra together for a cv50 I struggled to justify ( for my needs ) the extra cost. As I said the only real drawback is that it's a bit heavier than the squires but that may well be why the tone was so nice. If I were a gigging musician I may of chosen differently.
For any of those interested to look it up, Farida do a couple of nice takes on the thinline, double cutaways !

 

[gatc]

Oh, and a Farida pic just for reference (cool looking guitar!):

For a budget guitar, it looks really nice!!
How is the nut and fret work? Is this made in the same factory as the Squier CV50?

regarding intonation, before you even think about changing the bridge, you will have to make sure the mounting holes are the same as a Fender.

 

[Rich_S]

I've put the WIlkinson bridges on three Teles now (two of wich I still own). They are a great upgrade, price right for a budget-friendly guitar. Sure, there are fancier bridges/saddles, but I question the logic of using a $180 bridge on a $350 guitar.

 

[Gilby]

Frets are very well finished and need nothing doing. The nut is plastic but is all correct, evenly spaced and well fitted. I've seen worse on pricier guitars. Tbh I really could not tell the cv and this Faridas neck apart in terms of feel and finish.
The sales guy did give me the "It's from the same factory, fender asked them to do the body a bit different". I tend to not take too much stock in sales speil. It just felt like the right guitar for my needs at a ridiculously low price.
I have had a measure up with some calipers and the wilkinson appears to by spot but I may just do the saddles only and see how it goes. Decent material nut maybe and some sensible 10s are the only immediate further changes.
Thanks for the interest folks.

 

[Old Cane]

They are fine. The Callahams are very nice. The Glendales are very nice also. The Budz I've been using on everything for the last year or two, well, overused phrase I know but; THEY ROCK.

 

[chrisj1602]

I put some wilkinson compensated saddles on my 72 custom and I'm really happy with them. I got them from axes r us, think they were £8.50! It's worth a try at that price.

 

[Teleblooz]

I've put Wilkinson bridges with the compensated saddles on both my Teles. Was using steel saddles for a while (never seen them before or since) but eventually went back to brass. They do a good job with intonation. Of course it's not gnat-hair perfect, but even if you dial it in right on the money with a 6-saddle, you'll be off as soon as you fret the strings anyway.

 

[TxTeleMan]

My Tele has 'em. I like 'em.

image removed

 

[crossroader]

I put a Wilkinson bridge - with the compensated saddles - on my homebrew Tele.

Great piece of hardware and if I ever build another Tele I'd buy another Wilkinson in a heartbeat.

 

[1962guitargeek]

I put a Wilkinson bridge - with the compensated saddles - on my homebrew Tele.

Great piece of hardware and if I ever build another Tele I'd buy another Wilkinson in a heartbeat.

^^^^this

I have 2 of them, don't let the price fool ya, they are great pieces of hardware.

 

[bray83]

I put some Glendale twang sets on my teles. They sound really good. Like someone said earlier, not PERFECT intonation, but WORLDS better. If you go to brad paisley's new website, you can look at pics of all his guitars. Looks like he now has hipshot compensated saddles around his g-benders.

 

[gatc]

Frets are very well finished and need nothing doing. The nut is plastic but is all correct, evenly spaced and well fitted. I've seen worse on pricier guitars. Tbh I really could not tell the cv and this Faridas neck apart in terms of feel and finish.
The sales guy did give me the "It's from the same factory, fender asked them to do the body a bit different". I tend to not take too much stock in sales speil. It just felt like the right guitar for my needs at a ridiculously low price.
I have had a measure up with some calipers and the wilkinson appears to by spot but I may just do the saddles only and see how it goes. Decent material nut maybe and some sensible 10s are the only immediate further changes.
Thanks for the interest folks.

All production Fender guitars also have a "plastic" nut. If you do a search here, you can find what material it is made of. Fender calls it "synthetic bone". Bottom line is, your nut might be fine.
If you like the sound of your guitar, just change the saddles. Changing the bridge may affect the tone. (I said may)
By the way, are you going to post pictures of the guitar (either in this thread or start a new one)? I was tempted by the new BSB CV50 but this Farida looks like a serious contender!

 

[Gilby]

Really not sure how to post pictures up using only an iPhone. Could mail some pics to some to do the honours. Obviously pm me the email address.

 

[gatc]

I guess the best way is to upload to the photo gallery:
(link removed)

Or if you click on the Go Advanced button at the bottom of this page, you will be able to attach files.