Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Anyone have experience with graph-tech saddles? From what I hear they increase sustain and reduce string breakage. The actual brand name "Graph-Tech" doesn't make them for Rickenbackers, a local guy said he'll do it for $130.00 plus tax. Sound like a good deal? Is it worth doing?

Above mentioned price in Canadian funds, $130CDN = $93US.

well my question for you is do you break strings often?


I have the graphtech piezo saddels on my dakota (which is doing well now) but I never played it without them. I would say its not worth it justto get the saddles. 100 is a lot for a little more sustain - probably not noticable.
and your stings shouldnt break unless there is a problem with you saddles (such as burrs)...


JP

No I don't break 'em often, but they always seem to break on stage.

So, if I don't have problems with my current saddles all I will gain is sutstain?

If thats the case then I'd agree, its not worth it.

Thanks!

They say stings will last longer, but eventually they are still gunaa break, you just get more play time out of em.
and really I dont believe that, all my strings loose their tone quality before they break. so I change them anyway...

as to sustain, Im not sure how perceptable the difference is. Id be amused if it was enough to notice.

JP

besides how is your local guy going to "do it". I believe graphtech has a patent on their saddle composition. I know they are not graphite, cant remember what they are made of though.

Apparently you can buy "blank" graph tech saddles and make saddles for just about any guitar out of them. I dunno, thats what the guy said at the music store.

hmmm,

what guitar do you have? I wasnt thinking about most of the ricks having a bridge similar to a tune o matic.

There may be some logic in investing in the saddles if your guitar has a tailpiece. The extra length of string beyond the saddle would be cause for more movement over the saddle.

My strings go into the saddle and then through the body - kinda like a strat or PRS. So there is only a very small amount of movement over the saddle...

If you have some basic tools you may consider making the saddles yourself

http://www.graphtech.bc.ca/product_display.asp?SearchType=brand&brand=StringSaver

the acoustic blanks are probably your best bet. It might be worth a shot considering the blank is only $10. The hardsest part would be drilling the hole and tapping it for the screw. but that wouldnt be too bad if you have access to a drill press..

JP

My axe is a 620, not tune-o-matic style.

I don't know what you call them, but they're the saddles that are adjustable in half a dozen directions. The ones you need to loosen the string, adjust and retune for intonation. I don't think I want to get into making my own saddles... I'm sure it would be a total disaster, I somehow always manage to blow up non-explosive materials and start fires where there's no heat or fuel...

You have a 620 with a 650 style bridge and no R tailpiece?

Or are there more then 2 styles of bridges...

JP

No, its got the R tailpiece.