Genuine saddles or graphtech ?

[charlieratz]

Hi, last year I had to replace a saddle on, my custom 24 as it kept on breaking the a string. Now the same thing has started happening with the d string and I'm thinking should I just replace the whole lot with a set of graphtech string saver saddles

one genuine PRS saddle costs about the same as a full set of graphtechs so if I'm going to have to replace all 6 eventually then PRS ones will work out very expensive but is genuine best?

Thoughts please .

cheers

 

[gush]

I purchased a 2011 cu24 in june 2012. Started breaking A and D strings like crazy. There were wear grooves on those saddles so I called to get a couple replacements and was told I would have to buy the whole set. I filed out the grooves checked intonation and switched to 10s, problem solved. I think that problem is unusual for a guitar that has so little age. Anyway, I heard people talk about tone change going to graphtechs so I was reluctant to do that. Good luck.

 

[Boogeyman]

I Love graftech saddles. Usually put them on every guitar I have. If you have a graphite nutt on your guitar, they will sound even better IMO

 

[charlieratz]

My cu24 is pretty old now so to be expected that a few bits need replacing. Is there really likely to be a noticeable tone change if i go to graph techs cos I love the tone as it is. Suppose in the meantime i will have to start playing my Dave Navarro instead. Hard life !

 

[Boogeyman]

Dont be skeered, if you dont like them you can always change them back to stock. Everyone hears things differently, but my ears say they improve tone.

 

[vchizzle]

I don't like Graphtech at all. I had them on an adjustable tone pros stoptail piece and hated it. Found the attack of the note sounded dull and muffled by comparison and the note died quicker. Came off the same day I put em on.
Should be able to have a good tech resolve the issue. I can see having a "bad saddle" once in awhile that no solution can be found, but I just can't see it being a recurring issue with PRS parts.

 

[Hopeful Sinner]

I had an "F" guitar that was doing this, so I polished and buffed the saddles smooth and it worked great for a more cost effective way around the problem...

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Usually put them on every guitar I have.

Me too.

 

[yankeebulldog]

Anyone notice a different in the older graphite saddles vs. the newer steel ones with the insert? I'd expect the newer ones to have a little more sustain with the added mass.

 

[Boogeyman]

It only makes sense to me that having the strings rest on the same material at the bridge as at the nut is going to help the sound. Another thing I like about graftech...when putting their saddles on a tone pros bridge i had to "modify" them with a dremel tool. I ended up breaking one, and when I notified graphtech via email that I had broken one, they sent me 2 free replacements no questions asked. Hard to beat that kind of customer service.

 

[garrett]

Graphtech saddles are a polarizing product. Some people swear by them, others despise them. I'm in the latter category.

As mentioned above, sometimes grooves that can break strings get worn in the saddles. You just need a qualified luthier to file down the burrs and you're rockin' with no broken strings again.

 

[charlieratz]

I'm gonna go for the getting a luthier to sort out the original saddles option I think as too many people think graphtechs will change the tone etc so gonna stick with genuine parts. The old girl is due a refret anyway so needs a trip to local luthier anyway. Thanks everyone for your opinions - much help .

 

[Hopeful Sinner]

Send her to the PTC!!!

I'm gonna go for the getting a luthier to sort out the original saddles option I think as too many people think graphtechs will change the tone etc so gonna stick with genuine parts. The old girl is due a refret anyway so needs a trip to local luthier anyway. Thanks everyone for your opinions - much help .

 

[John Beef]

I broke strings like crazy on my black CU22 the 1st year I had it. I swapped out the saddles for graphtecs but felt they made brand new strings sound like older strings, just sort of dull. So, I put the originals back on, and I must have swapped around which ones went where, because I haven't broken as many strings in 5 years as I did that 1st year. So, maybe try that instead?

That reminds me, I ran across that set of graphtec saddles a while back, I need to dig them out and put them in the ebay pile.

 

[swede71]

I will try a set of Babicz saddles soon

 

[sergiodeblanc]

That reminds me, I ran across that set of graphtec saddles a while back, I need to dig them out and put them in the ebay pile.

Holler at me if you find 'em.

 

[Boogeyman]

Holler at me if you find 'em.

:laugh: ^ and if he doesn't want them I'll buy them from you if they'll fit a stoptail.
People always try to discourage me about the guitars I play too. Somehow this thread feels the same.

 

[StevenJS]

Hi, last year I had to replace a saddle on, my custom 24 as it kept on breaking the a string. Now the same thing has started happening with the d string and I'm thinking should I just replace the whole lot with a set of graphtech string saver saddles

one genuine PRS saddle costs about the same as a full set of graphtechs so if I'm going to have to replace all 6 eventually then PRS ones will work out very expensive but is genuine best?

Thoughts please .

cheers

I replaced the stock saddles on my CU22 tremolo bridge with GraphTech. The guitar is set up professionally but it seems when the saddles are lowered as much as can be the action is higher than with stock saddles. Do they ride higher than usual? I like to use my trem in both directions so I don’t wish to lower the 6 bridge height screws to compensate. Any suggestions or does anyone have a similar situation after switching to GraphTech? Thanks!

 

[László]

If you like the tone of the stock saddles, why mess with it?

It's hard enough to find a guitar whose tone "fits".

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Woof!

Since @LSchefman os liking my post from almost ten years ago, I should clarify and say that I do not put them on every guitar anymore.