Ragpicker
Wholenote
I'm playing it in a different key
Posts: 336
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Post by Ragpicker on Jun 14, 2022 15:45:11 GMT -5
Any thoughts on Strat bent steel saddles vs. Block type ? Any upgrade successes ? I am also curious about the "Highwood" bent steels that claim to be a sonic improvement. Still working on changing my Deluxe Players Strat.
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Jun 14, 2022 15:54:13 GMT -5
I have Highwoods on 2 guitars, quality stuff. I can't say they are sonically better but wouldn't hesitate using them on future builds. While part of their claim is to compensate for screw height issues I think most of that is a neck angle issue that can be corrected with a shim.
I've had the more contemporary block saddles and think they're fine too, but being a dopey traditionalist prefer the bent saddle look.
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Jun 14, 2022 16:22:37 GMT -5
These are the Highwoods on my Player. The bonus part are the grooves. I seem to have less whammy/tuning issues with these saddles.  |
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Ragpicker
Wholenote
I'm playing it in a different key
Posts: 336
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Post by Ragpicker on Jun 14, 2022 17:12:52 GMT -5
Thanks Auf . I havent decided whats going to happen yet but I am having a hard time finding block saddles in gold finish. Thats what my Strat hardware is. Dont think the highwoods come in gold either. This guitar also has a slightly wider bridge so the saddles are a touch bigger. 2-3/32" spacing 1st to 6th.
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Post by cedarchoper58 on Jun 14, 2022 17:17:58 GMT -5
I use fender old style replacement saddles and they sound great SRV used them also
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Jun 14, 2022 18:46:32 GMT -5
Yeah, if you're committed to gold hardware that probably narrows your options. I cobbled together a relic Mary Kay Strat and bought some used gold Fender hardware (tuners, trem, etc.) and it's one of my best sounding Strats. Nothing wrong with the old time tested stuff. My venture into Highwoods and the like is just to try something different.
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Post by theprofessor on Jun 14, 2022 21:56:42 GMT -5
Seems like I’m always getting up on this soapbox, but the cast/block saddles are one of my favorite parts of the 2000-2008 American series.
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Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Jun 14, 2022 22:33:38 GMT -5
Whatever saddles you decide on, measure your Strat's bridge carefully to make sure you're getting the correct saddles for it. If they're too wide, they will not all fit. If they're too narrow, they can move around under wigglestick wankage. Looky:  |
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Post by Lesterstrat on Jun 15, 2022 9:53:59 GMT -5
Seems like I’m always getting up on this soapbox, but the cast/block saddles are one of my favorite parts of the 2000-2008 American series. This post has me curious as to what saddles are on my Am Dlx HSS. It’s from the mid 2000s and has the LSR roller nut, which I absolutely LOVE! But, I’ve never paid attention to the saddles. Lol |
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Ragpicker
Wholenote
I'm playing it in a different key
Posts: 336
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Post by Ragpicker on Jun 15, 2022 10:17:51 GMT -5
Thanks guys ! Peegoo thats the best diagram Ive seen to show sizing. It seems my mexican strat has an American Vintage bridge. Who woulda guessed.
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Ragpicker
Wholenote
I'm playing it in a different key
Posts: 336
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Post by Ragpicker on Jun 15, 2022 13:30:13 GMT -5
Found some proper size gold brass block saddles. Will install at next string change. Will try to burnish the friction surfaces first , suggestions ?
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Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Jun 16, 2022 0:11:19 GMT -5
Apply some polishing compound to a 12" length of cotton twine. With the saddle held in the padded jaws of a small vise, thread the string through the saddle. Hold each end of the string and pull it "shoe shine" style through the saddle so it polishes the string's path over the saddle.
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Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Jun 16, 2022 0:12:21 GMT -5
Another way is a small felt polishing wheel in a Dremel, with jeweler's rouge as your polishing media.
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Post by cedarchoper58 on Jun 16, 2022 17:21:32 GMT -5
I run my strings thru wire insulation tubes where they go thru the saddles across the break point like SRV did and have not broken a string in 15 years and i bend them hard
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Post by samspade on Jun 17, 2022 19:21:53 GMT -5
I prefer the Fender vintage, no notch. They have a sound for sure. Blocks are more focused and great as well. I always think about Jazz Masters with this discussion. Like Mastery is more manageable, but the string contact with bridge is less from the vintage, so the Jazz Master doesn't have that mid sound cluck. It's all compromise.
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Ragpicker
Wholenote
I'm playing it in a different key
Posts: 336
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Post by Ragpicker on Jun 17, 2022 22:06:08 GMT -5
Cedarchopper. Not a breakage issue with me. Just expanding my tone pallet I hope. I have block saddles on an American Standard tele and I like them so I thought I would try them on a strat. I just changed strings on the strat so it will be a while till these go on. They showed up yesterday so I will get to burnish/polish them up and then install later.
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Jun 18, 2022 8:37:24 GMT -5
Seems like I’m always getting up on this soapbox, but the cast/block saddles are one of my favorite parts of the 2000-2008 American series. I had an early 2000's American Series in Inca Silver/rosewood. I remember being a bit turned off by the block saddles initially, but in reality that was probably one of the best Fender Strats I ever had. Gigged quite a bit with it and it never let me down. Foolishly sold it to a guy that hired my band for some studio work. Happy modding Ragpicker, let us know how it turns out. |
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Ragpicker
Wholenote
I'm playing it in a different key
Posts: 336
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Post by Ragpicker on Jun 27, 2022 20:29:43 GMT -5
The mod is done. An easy mod. Swapped mexican bent steel saddles for solid brass gold plated block style. My initial impressions are that the guitar is substantially brighter. The intonation process was quick and easy. Took the time to burnish the string contact points. The fact that it is brighter is a good thing as the Hot Noiseless pickups are not super bright so this helps I think. Haven't had a lot of time to ponder but all in all a worthwhile change for just a few bucks. The blocks also look cool.........
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