Some opinions on Graphtech saddles

robwright

I've been getting forumites opinions on steel trem blocks for a strat and have decided on a Callaham-style block.

My next question is - to Graphtech or not to Graphtech?

It has been suggested that they affect tone comapred to steel saddles. Will it 'cancel out' any improvements from the steel block?The existing saddles are perfectly serviceable vintage-style bent steel.

Am I now getting in to 'snake oil' territory?!!!

stickyfiddle

They add a little zing and potentially stop string breaks a little. I have them on my Tele and CS336 but never got on the strat ones I tried. There's nothing wrong with bent steel saddles tbh. 

As for Callaham, I have the full assembly from them, saddles & all. It's very good...

ElectroDan

I stuck some on a Strat I once owned, and it sounded just as good after as before.

I went through a period of busting strings quickly, when I first started playing live. I don't know whether this was due to nervousness and hitting the strings too hard, sweating more or just not having as good a technique as I have now.

I don't often break strings now. Until this last month I was only taking one guitar out with me, and I don't hold back with big bends or vibrato.

frankus

Personally I don't get the all or nothing approach to the saddles on strats - there are six of them with different string thicknesses on them.

I put a sintered steel saddle on the high E and titanium/unobtanium bent saddles on the others.

stonevibe

I found Graphtech saddles take some of the highs out of the guitar.

Not a bad thing on some Strats.

HAL9000

I think they're more to prevent string breakage than to improve tone. If you're not breaking strings then stick with what you've got.

Wolfetone

I fitted a set to my '89 LP and it solved the string breakage issue. It didn't affect the tone that I could hear.

Gassage

OK- on Andersons and others, fabulous.

On a vintage RI strat, for me, NO. I believe that the whole vintage tone comes from the bent steel and spring and block. Remove the saddles and you change the chime.

The Callaham block is brilliant, mind you.

callmesnake

Put them on 3 guitars and very pleased with them! Got some on my old LP and never break a string no matter how shagged out the strings are.

ICBM

I don't like them. I think they sound thin and lack the 'ring' of steel, but it's certainly true that they stop strings breaking as easily.

Jeremiah

I've put some on my Strat style partscaster. I didn't notice a difference in tone, but I think they feel nicer when palm muting and resting my hand on the bridge.

WezV

I think they do sound warmer and more rounded.

its why i like them so much on peizo saddles, they really make the acoustic sounds a lot more usable

ElectroDan

To follow on from what I said earlier.

I don't have any on my current guitars, and don't intend to. I just don't need 'em.

richardhomer

WezV;587360" said:

I think they do sound warmer and more rounded.

its why i like them so much on peizo saddles, they really make the acoustic sounds a lot more usable

I have a set of (IIRC) Mike Christian piezo saddles - which were made by Graph Tech - on my 'slide' Strat.

The guitar is a '94 American Standard - so it was fitted with 'block' saddles from the factory.

The piezo saddles definitely dulled the 'zing' from it - which as its used for slide - which can sound a bit strident - or as a midi controller, is fine.

If the OP is after 'vintage' Strat tone, Graph Techs are not the way to go.

WezV

richardhomer said:

If the OP is after 'vintage' Strat tone, Graph Techs are not the way to go.

I would agree with that

robwright

I'm not a big string breaker so I'm saying 'NO' to Graphtech!

Thanks all

HHwarner

I like them on my Gibson Sg. Seems to add a bit of bite and I like the feel. That said, once fitted I could only intonate the top e so had to flip them and fit them all facing backwards. I also had to lower my bridge quite considerably as they were not only thicker but taller than originals. My sg is post 2000 Nashville so they should have slotted straight in. I can’t remember having the same problem on a previously owned sg

axisus

I've had them in the past, but I wasn't keen on the look of them so they went in the end. I suppose I wouldn't mind with a modern looking guitar but all mine are pretty trad looking.