Saddle Up!!!!

Inspector #20

Inspector #20

Ambassador of Tone
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So, I been messing with my 1987 Stratocaster after finding myself using it rather frequently for tremolo parts on various recordings.

I noticed that even though my tremolo is decked, it still comes back sharp every time.

That's when I really took a close look at the saddles!!!!

Each saddle had multiple string grooves from 30 years of use. I think the strings were walking across these ridges and failing to return in the same place each time.

Until replacement saddles can be obtained, I notched them so I can use the guitar today at rehearsal for the tremolo dive in Ratt's Round And Round.

Here's the gun camera footage...

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Black stripe is part of original groove from 30 years of string wear.

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Nut saws come in handy...

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After polish...

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The 'lightning bolt' pattern after intonation adjustment...
 
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If it were my guitar (which it isn’t...so my opinion doesn’t matter much!) I’d still replace them with cast saddles. Those stamped steel saddles annoy me.

I much prefer the two-point bridge with cast saddles.
 
flatrockmobile said:
Cancel the order for the new ones. Problem solved!
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smitty_p said:
If it were my guitar (which it isn’t...so my opinion doesn’t matter much!) I’d still replace them with cast saddles. Those stamped steel saddles annoy me.

I much prefer the two-point bridge with cast saddles.
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I still think a roller saddle would be a good upgrade. I like the gentle radius of the roller, even though it doesn't actually 'roll' back and forth.

Yes, I think two point is an improvement....
 
Honestly, I was really shocked at how well Carl's Stratocaster stayed in tune. I tried his setup and it just would not work for me...and that's when I noticed the triple-grooves with raised edges on my saddles. So, what appears to have been happening was, when I would dive, my strings would raise up at the leading edge of the saddle radii and then come to rest on top of those raised edges, which is why I went sharp every single time I used the bar.

After getting a really smooth and polished radius, I can divebomb until the strings rattle on the pickups and it goes back to pitch everytime. I also polished the nut slots with #800 paper to remove the fluting.

My 1987 Squire has roller string trees stock. They do not affect tremolo tuning stability. It stays in tune either way with zero issues, exactly as Carl demonstrated in his video.

To be honest, after experimenting, I think the way to go - really - is a Floyd with a roller nut.
 
Since I sometimes need a tremolo equipped guitar, and I have no desire to go and buy yet another guitar to take up space - I will move forward to modifying this one. Those saddles are the originals and they were so worn it was scary. Since it is not my main guitar, I never paid it any real attention....

Most studios will have rentals or 'House Instruments' available. Some are really good and others have seen better days, depending on where you are, but I like having my own equipment that is properly intonated.

I think my guitar will be more versatile - for my work projects - with the Dimarzio stacked single coils back in place. They have a tone faithful to a vintage single coil, but without the bad habits of buzz and hum. Not only is this a nice tool to have laying around for work, it keeps me from having to borrow a Stratocaster for home projects.

Also, I borrowed a Wah to record 'Watchtower,' and it can be heard on the version that SoundCloud banned for it's sonic similarity to the hendrix original. When I recorded the second version - with all the doubled solos - I used the wah 'effect' in Audacity and it is really sad when compared to the "express-a-bility" of the Dunlop pedal...
 
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Robert Herndon said:
I still think a roller saddle would be a good upgrade. I like the gentle radius of the roller, even though it doesn't actually 'roll' back and forth.

Yes, I think two point is an improvement....
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As you’ve observed, a roller saddle wouldn’t roll on Strat-type bridge. Obviously, this is because there is no need for the string to move across the saddle. Everything moves together as a unit. Consequently, you are unlikely to find a Strat-type bridge with roller saddles.
 
smitty_p said:
As you’ve observed, a roller saddle wouldn’t roll on Strat-type bridge. Obviously, this is because there is no need for the string to move across the saddle. Everything moves together as a unit. Consequently, you are unlikely to find a Strat-type bridge with roller saddles.
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I've seen quite a few Strats with roller saddles. They rock slightly, but they dont turn a full revolurion or anything like that. I like the improved - more relaxed - string break across the saddles.

I think a Floyd bridge with a roller nut would be the best combination.
 
Robert Herndon said:
I've seen quite a few Strats with roller saddles. They rock slightly, but they dont turn a full revolurion or anything like that. I like the improved - more relaxed - string break across the saddles.

I think a Floyd bridge with a roller nut would be the best combination.
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smitty_p said:
Seriously?

Where?
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Hmm...I just did a search and found some...it seems Schaller makes one.

I gotta ponder that. I’m not sure if it’s legit or hype or a little of both.

In a way you already proved it’s unnecessary, though, by simply smoothing out your saddle grooves.

I admit, I am a bit surprised. I’ve done a LOT of searching on Strat bridges and never ran across a roller saddle. Of course, I never searched specifically for a roller Strat bridge, either.
 
smitty_p said:
Hmm...I just did a search and found some...it seems Schaller makes one.

I gotta ponder that. I’m not sure if it’s legit or hype or a little of both.

In a way you already proved it’s unnecessary, though, by simply smoothing out your saddle grooves.

I admit, I am a bit surprised. I’ve done a LOT of searching on Strat bridges and never ran across a roller saddle. Of course, I never searched specifically for a roller Strat bridge, either.
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What I like about the roller is the gentle radius. I'm not sure how good my notches are!
 
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