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Post subject: Stratocaster Saddle Screws
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2016 3:35 pm
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I am considering getting a Callaham Premium Upgrade Kit for my USA Standard Strat to replace the trem block and saddles. The saddles come with 1/4" screws for the E strings and 5/16" screws for the other strings.

Callaham also offer screw sets in 1/4", 5/16" and 3/8".

My question is, to avoid excessive screw protruding above the saddles, how many of each screw length would I need? My action will be set at, or very close to, Fender specifications.


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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Saddle Screws
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2016 3:40 pm
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The can't cost much, get tem all.

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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Saddle Screws
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2016 6:15 pm
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John Sims wrote:
The can't cost much, get tem all.


+1

That's often my strategy.

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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Saddle Screws
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2016 7:23 pm
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Four of each.


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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Saddle Screws
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2016 7:48 pm
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Blue Notes wrote:
Four of each.


+1

I believe that would cover any conceivable scenario.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Saddle Screws
Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2016 1:08 am
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In retrospect... 3/8"? As this is longer than the Fender screws I can't imagine you would ever need them unless setting up for slide. I certainly wouldn't bother with them.

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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Saddle Screws
Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2016 2:12 am
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Yes, skip the 3/8". Get 8 of the 1/4", as sometimes you can use them on the first and last saddles, as well as the 2nd and 5th saddles. Get 8 of the 5/16" also, this will cover the 3rd and 4th saddles, and the 2nd and 5th saddles, should the 1/4" not be long enough for the 2nd and 5th saddles. This way you are covered either way, and will have 4 extra screws.

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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Saddle Screws
Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2016 3:07 am
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fifty4 wrote:


My question is, to avoid excessive screw protruding above the saddles, .


Easy to make them shorter with a grinder.


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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Saddle Screws
Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2016 3:47 am
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stratele52 wrote:
fifty4 wrote:


My question is, to avoid excessive screw protruding above the saddles, .


Easy to make them shorter with a grinder.


And cheaper!


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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Saddle Screws
Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2016 3:52 am
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Peter S wrote:
stratele52 wrote:
fifty4 wrote:


My question is, to avoid excessive screw protruding above the saddles, .


Easy to make them shorter with a grinder.


And cheaper!


+1

And you make what you really need


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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Saddle Screws
Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2016 4:21 am
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Their name are set screws. These screw are not made for guitare use, in the beginning, guitar builders use what they find.

If I'm right, I see these screws at some hardware store like Home Depot. Cheaper


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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Saddle Screws
Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2016 5:25 am
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stratele52 wrote:
Their name are set screws. These screw are not made for guitare use, in the beginning, guitar builders use what they find.

If I'm right, I see these screws at some hardware store like Home Depot. Cheaper


Exactly.
Also I'd be careful about going too short on the screw. The saddle is only 3/16ths thick or something.

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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Saddle Screws
Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2016 6:41 am
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John Sims wrote:
In retrospect... 3/8"? As this is longer than the Fender screws I can't imagine you would ever need them unless setting up for slide. I certainly wouldn't bother with them.

I don't usually measure saddle screws (I use the grind-to-fit approach), but long screws may come in handy if you (generic) believe in roybuchananism; also that a steep break angle (high action or shimming the neck) over saddles produces better sound.


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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Saddle Screws
Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2016 6:53 am
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Peter S wrote:
stratele52 wrote:
fifty4 wrote:


My question is, to avoid excessive screw protruding above the saddles, .


Easy to make them shorter with a grinder.


And cheaper!


Unless they go ping, or you snag them and damage the saddle.

They are just a fixing, but are also quite unusual and specific in their length and thread size. While commonly used nuts and bolts are readily available at DIY stores it is unlikely they would stock the exact sizes, if at all, and in consumer size packets. Also, you can often pay the same for a pack of 20 screws as you would for a box of 200.

So you are looking at engineering specialist suppliers and, unless willing to split a box, will end up getting 1000.

Or you find a manufacturer who buys them in quantity and might let you have a handful ...assuming they use that exact size and thread. Get the wrong thread and it could wreck your saddle.

Some things are worth making the effort to save on and some things aren't. IMHO these are the latter.

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Post subject: Re: Stratocaster Saddle Screws
Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2016 9:02 am
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I'd agree with buying/using the genuine/original article, John. All I say is that shortening the screws (carefully) is cheaper than buying loads of new ones! And as Stratele52 says, you then get exactly what you want.

I suppose it depends on whether you have the tools/skills to shorten them accurately. If not, well yes, a selection of various-length screws should get you to roughly where you want to be. When I shortened my Special ones, I had a few spares knocking around, so yes, they are handy.

Cheers - Peter.


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