jvi Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 so whats the feeling and imput on switching the stock compensated saddle for a straight bone ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mountainpicker Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 Don't throw away the compensated one if you're going to try it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldCowboy Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 What Mountainpicker said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mafy31 Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 About these compensated saddles, are they adjusted for each guitar ? I mean, if it is standard say, for a hummingbird standard, why can't we find spare parts easily ? Are each compensated saddles that ship with a gibson unic in some ways ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 About these compensated saddles, are they adjusted for each guitar ? I mean, if it is standard say, for a hummingbird standard, why can't we find spare parts easily ? Are each compensated saddles that ship with a gibson unic in some ways ? Probably all share a common compensation, usually on the B string to lengthen the scale slightly. The saddle on my 000-28 EC came fully compensated, to my surprise. None of my Gibson flat tops are compensated, but they are all also the long, thin slot-through saddle, where compensation has pretty minimal impact. Full compensation is more common on archtops, and, of course, on electrics with adjustable saddles. You can buy retrofit saddles with B-string compensation off the shelf for a lot of models. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldCowboy Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 About these compensated saddles, are they adjusted for each guitar ? I mean, if it is standard say, for a hummingbird standard, why can't we find spare parts easily ? Are each compensated saddles that ship with a gibson unic in some ways ? You raise a good question and I hope somebody has a definitive answer. I suspect that if the saddle isn't handmade, it's generic - which inspires more questions.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hogeye Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 About these compensated saddles, are they adjusted for each guitar ? I mean, if it is standard say, for a hummingbird standard, why can't we find spare parts easily ? Are each compensated saddles that ship with a gibson unic in some ways ? They are generic and can be purchased from Stew-Mac. They are very easy to find. They are not individually adjusted in any way. If I were going to replace one I would get one designed for the scale length of the guitar. In the case of the Hummingbird just get one designed for a short scale instrument. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drathbun Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 Any saddle can be custom shaped for the individual guitar. I bought a bone saddle for my Songwriter from Bob Colosi in Georgia. It came compensated and highly polished. I then had a luthier intonate the guitar with the bone saddle. He shaped it perfectly and polished it to a great glossy shine. I could have done it myself, but with the saddle coming all the way from Georgia, I didn't want to screw it up and besides, my luthier shapes them so beautifully. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mafy31 Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 Thanks for the inputs. I bought a Tusq saddle for Gibson that seems to be suited for hummingbird. Will try it out sanding the base just for a test (these saddles are kind of cheap). But Drathbun post shows probably the best thing to do. I will try to find a good luthier to do it for me, though i am not sure i want to go with bone right now. I fear to loose the sweet tone for something too bright. My guitar sounds fine, but my luthier had sanded the saddle a bit too much i think, cause when i removed it i saw some kind of slim shim attached below it. I dont know if it comes like this from factory or if it has been added by the luthier... If that's the case he should have told me about it huh. So i'd like to get a perfect saddle now and see if the guitar can get even better than it is ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindboygrunt Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 Mines definitely compensated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvi Posted March 11, 2016 Author Share Posted March 11, 2016 wondering if notches for the strings are needed ,lot of pictures seem like they dont have them....Im installing a saddle in a beater for practice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drathbun Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 wondering if notches for the strings are needed ,lot of pictures seem like they dont have them....Im installing a saddle in a beater for practice Notches on the saddle are a no-no! Just say no to notches! All about saddles by Frank Ford at Frets.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 wondering if notches for the strings are needed ,lot of pictures seem like they dont have them....Im installing a saddle in a beater for practice Generally not. Between string tension and close proximity to the pins, there's not much opportunity for a string to move around in most cases. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted March 11, 2016 Share Posted March 11, 2016 ...I then had a luthier intonate the guitar with the bone saddle.... Right. It's all about getting the intonation correct for each string. That is, you don't want an in-tune string to sound sharp when fretted. He shaped it perfectly.... ...and the shape of the saddle where the string runs over has to be a certain way. Yeah, I just have my local tech cut me a new saddle for the specific guitar. Doesn't cost that much, IIRC. The saddle is the point where the vibes of the strings get to the soundboard (well, through the bridge). You want a good connection there, and bone as a material is pretty universally seen to work well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.