Silly saddles question

ThePrettyDamned · June 2015

I've tried teles before and, if I remember correctly, I preferred the unplugged sound of the one with threaded steel saddles.

But online concensus is that brass is better...

So what are the differences in sound? I'm assuming it's quite small compared to the pickups, neck, body etc making differences but I thought I'd open a can of worms.

crunchman · June 2015

I changed my old Tele from threaded steel to brass. To me it sounded a bit warmer and not quite so cutting with brass.

The main reason I changed them was not specifically to get brass but to fix the intonation. The intonation was horrible with the stock saddles and I wanted to get some compensated ones. The ones I got were brass. What I would say is that whatever material they are made from, you will probably want to get compensated saddles. The guitar just didn't sound in tune with the original saddles. I don't know if anyone does compensated threaded steel though.

ThePrettyDamned · June 2015

Hmm okay, that's interesting...

From memory, steel saddles were louder and the guitar was a bit punchier.

I may try a six saddle bridge to be honest - I just love the look of three saddles! Are compensated ones like callaham really that good? I can't imagine how they can accurately compensate so I assume it's just a rough, better than stock estimate?

Corvus · June 2015

Got both here, brass is slightly warmer and the steel slightly more metallic, but not an earth-shattering difference.

With compensated saddles I got mixed results. One is better with non-comp, two saddles seemed over-compensated. I have some I think if you want to try 'em out (no cost, just ping a pm).

stickyfiddle · June 2015

I'm know it's the minority opinion but I like steel more. Much more zing, and Teles are all about zing, right?

ThePrettyDamned · June 2015

Corvus said:

Got both here, brass is slightly warmer and the steel slightly more metallic, but not an earth-shattering difference.

With compensated saddles I got mixed results. One is better with non-comp, two saddles seemed over-compensated. I have some I think if you want to try 'em out (no cost, just ping a pm).

That's very kind of you, but I'll hold off until I've chosen my design. I may go for six saddles.

57Deluxe · June 2015

...is that like Potty Putty??

Sassafras · June 2015

I made a partscaster with wilkinson compensated brass saddles and it works very well with plenty of 'zing'.

MattFGBI · June 2015

http://intl.fender.com/en-GB/guitar-bass-parts/bridge-assemblies-components/3-saddle-american-vintage-hot-rod-telecaster-bridge-assembly-with-compensated-brass-saddles-nickel/

This is 3 brass intonatable saddles.

ThePrettyDamned · June 2015

MattFGBI;655219" said:
http://intl.fender.com/en-GB/guitar-bass-parts/bridge-assemblies-components/3-saddle-american-vintage-hot-rod-telecaster-bridge-assembly-with-compensated-brass-saddles-nickel/

This is 3 brass intonatable saddles.

Nice. Are saddles sold separately and in steel? I like that you can adjust intonation. Neat.

MattFGBI · June 2015

No Steel I'm afraid.

The intonatable saddles are not available on thier own but you can get the compensated saddles from the older '52 Hot Rod in a kit:

005-8544-049 SADDLES, COMP VINT TELE (KIT)

FelineGuitars · June 2015

If you can get intonatable 3 saddle sets , consider having an Earvana nut fitted - it'll give you th sizzle and better in tune-ness

I know you've had one before with the LTD but I'm a big believer in what they do.

ThePrettyDamned · June 2015

FelineGuitars;655278" said:
If you can get intonatable 3 saddle sets , consider having an Earvana nut fitted - it'll give you th sizzle and better in tune-ness

I know you've had one before with the LTD but I'm a big believer in what they do.

Yeah, I didn't really appreciate the difference it made until I started playing other guitars.

May get an earvana, I don't have a nut yet so may just drop it off to you when it's done.

frankus · June 2015

what about Alu saddles? there was a big thing about them a while back - personally I like mixing them up on all my guitars.

The Suhr has bend steel and a couple of sintered steel saddles.

ICBM · June 2015

I don't care what online opinion says, I dislike brass saddles and much prefer steel ones. Brass ones have a particular, distinctive upper-midrange tone which once you pickup on it, becomes difficult to not hear - a sort of 'whang' overtone that I really detest. Steel ones are deeper and brighter-sounding, without so much mid emphasis - they have more of an 'industrial' grind and twang that I much prefer. Threaded ones are my favourites, I'm not sure if there is an actual tone difference compared to the plain ones or not but they just seem to sound better somehow!

ThePrettyDamned · June 2015

ICBM;655385" said:
I don't care what online opinion says, I dislike brass saddles and much prefer steel ones. Brass ones have a particular, distinctive upper-midrange tone which once you pickup on it, becomes difficult to not hear - a sort of 'whang' overtone that I really detest. Steel ones are deeper and brighter-sounding, without so much mid emphasis - they have more of an 'industrial' grind and twang that I much prefer. Threaded ones are my favourites, I'm not sure if there is an actual tone difference compared to the plain ones or not but they just seem to sound better somehow!

Yeah, I remember preferring steel but it's been a while...

frankus;655365" said:
what about Alu saddles? there was a big thing about them a while back - personally I like mixing them up on all my guitars.The Suhr has bend steel and a couple of sintered steel saddles.

Now that's interesting! A mix of saddle types might fit in visually too. Hmm...

I think a 6 saddle bridge and a combination of steel and brass is where I'll start. I'll experiment and see what happens.

I bet I end up with all steel though...

stickyfiddle · June 2015

stickyfiddle;654947" said:
I'm know it's the minority opinion but I like steel more. Much more zing, and Teles are all about zing, right?

Having written this earlier, I've just remember that for the last 9 years I've had graph tech saddles on my Tele and had completely forgotten... More like steel than brass though

Bogwhoppit · June 2015

I wonder what diamond tipped titanium saddles sound like ?

ThePrettyDamned · June 2015

I have some callaham strat saddles... Might just use them?

jonnyburgo · June 2015

Steel on mine,to my ear there are no tuning or intonation issues.

Rocker · June 2015

Kinda out on a limb here, but I think the bridge plate featured on the first of @MattFGBI post looks well daft. I know, I know that that is how the original Tele Bridges were made. But they still look daft. Why have two raised sides? Just looks daft.

The three saddle bridge and an Earvana nut as suggested by @FelineGuitars would be my preferred option. If I were in the market for a Tele.

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