I just got some new Graph Tech saddles installed on my custom Strat! I'm really glad I held off from buying them before, because I didn't know I could order them directly at work. I did, and I ended up spending no where near the $80 retail price for them. I also installed some pure nickel strings while I was at it. It definitely doesn't have as sharp of a tone anymore, and I'm not sure if it's mostly the strings or the saddles yet. Though I'd guess it has more to do with the saddles. I like it though, now I can roll the tone knobs down and get that muted jazzy tone I like sometimes on Strats. Before the tone knob wasn't so effective.

Now I don't have to worry about the saddles slipping like the vintage style saddles tend to do, or getting burs in the saddles which cause strings to snap.

And finally, here's a picture of them.

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I put GraphTechs on both my '88 & '98 AmStd Strats. When I got my '88, brand new, I broke a 'B' string immediately at a gig that night. I polished the string guides and rubbed some lead from a pencil in the bridge guides, still broke a strings.

I had just saw a ad in Guitar Player mag about GraphTechs, I called them and ordered a set, and have not broke a string since! When I got my '98 Strat, the same thing happened, so I installed a set on it.

My guitar tech Steve http://www.jthomasdavis.com/home.html doesn't like them, he feels that they suck tone, but I don't break strings anymore.


Also, Robert Cray has GraphTechs on all his Strats.

Oh, I also use GraphitAll created by 'Texas Guitar Whiz' René Martinez http://www.texasguitarwhiz.com/ on the string nuts on all my guitars. It really works great on my '66 Jazzmaster's whammy bar for my surf songs.

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Tony Houston

Just curious, are they made of graphite? If you palm mute, wouldn't you get dusty hands?

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1984 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster
1986 Peavey Envoy 110
1967 Kingston Acoustic

I just don't break strings. Whatever gauge, whatever saddles, however I play. I rarely change strings any more. I change more for something to do than I do tonal difference from worn strings.

I can't remember the last time I broke a string. I think it has more to do with how hard you hit the string than anything else.

I don't like the sound of Graphtech saddles though. My 04 Deluxe came with String Savers on. I thought it sounded muted. And ended up giving them away.

However as I always will maintain. If something makes you comfortable. You will play better for using it, you'll also be more inclined to practice. Which will make you sound better than any amount of money or fancy nonsense you throw at the instrument.

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No no and no

Becks,

I too use graph tech saddles on my Highway 1 and only use pure nickel strings on all my guitars. My Highway 1 is extremely warm sounding. I am very pleased with them.

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

Cool review and pic, Thanks for posting.

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

I like the black Graph Tech Saddles.

The use of them really stopped string breakage issues I had on a couple of Strats.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

I have a set on my Highway Strat.

They're solid Graphtec Tusque, rather than just having a tiny graphtec insert in a metal saddle. The packaging says they are actually from PRS, and just happen to be identical in size to the standard Fender saddle.

Very slightly mellowed sound compared to the stock, crappy plated Highway saddles that peel, but they're the last word on friction reduction for tuning stability on a floating trem bridge, which is why I fitted them. And since using them, I've never broken a string either.

A tweak on the amp EQ soon takes care of any minor change in tonality..

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Fender Highway & Classic 60s Strats, Fender Toronado, Telecaster, Gretsch Projet, Charvel 3, PRS SE Soapbar II & Custom 24, Burns Batwing and many others!

I'm the same as niki. I never break strings and only change them when my wife buys them for me for a birthday or Christmas. Although, I have friends that swear they can't play strings less than 13's without breaking a string within hours. I think it's more about how deep and hard you're digging when you play.