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Post subject: Hardware upgrade question, if you dont mind
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 6:08 pm
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Location: Coastal Bend, Tx.
I purchased my FSR strat a couple years ago. I have noticed a lot of saddle issues burrs on the 5/6th saddles and wanted to upgrade the original vintage saddles to deluxe type to solve the issue(really tired of moving saddles around between string changes). I already bought the saddle replacements from GC online and trying to install them noticed they don't line up correctly. My question is do I need to replace only the bridge plate for a proper fit or more?
My rig is vintage style trem w/ 6 screw plate.
If I only need the bridge plate, where can I find one?

appreciate any help


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Post subject: Re: Hardware upgrade question, if you dont mind
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2015 12:32 am
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What's wrong with the line-up?
Are you trying to replace centered screw vintage saddles with offset screw modern saddles?
Or is it a case of different string spacings?
(= What model is the guitar, and is it MIA, MIM, MIJ, other..?)

Anyway, I'd say forget the bridge plate idea - the development so far suggests there may be more fitting issues.
Diagnose which bridge you have, and get a set of new saddles that fit the existing bridge. You got burrs - go TUSQ.


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Post subject: Re: Hardware upgrade question, if you dont mind
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2015 1:12 am
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Get yourself a Dremel and follow John Cruz' advice.



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Post subject: Re: Hardware upgrade question, if you dont mind
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2015 1:44 am
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As per the post above , but if you don't have a dremel , 1200 wet and dry paper wrapped round an ordinary lollipop stick works well for polishing off burrs (use it end on), then lube

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Post subject: Re: Hardware upgrade question, if you dont mind
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2015 7:36 am
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I have to echo the comments already stated...sounds like you purchased the wrong replacement saddles. Remember that just because it's a "Strat" doesn't mean that any Strat saddle should work. American saddles for example, aside from being off-set are also a tad wider...that whole standard vs. metric spacing thing. If you're trying to use American saddles on a Mexican (or other import) or vice-versa, it doesn't work. Likewise, just because it's a "vintage style" bridge, doesn't mean it has vintage spacing...most of the imports are in fact metric spacing despite being "vintage". Also, if it is an import, don't assume that it has metric spacing either...I have a couple of older Japanese Strats that actually have vintage American spacing. With that said, I echo the comment about NOT replacing the bridge plate...I'd just get the correct saddles.

With that, I have to ask - why do you need to move the saddles around between string changes? With all of the Strats I own (12 at the moment of various breeding), I've never really had this problem. Also don't forget that it's always a good idea to check/reset your intonation with every string change anyways...dealing with saddles is just part of playing a Strat :-)


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Post subject: Re: Hardware upgrade question, if you dont mind
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2015 8:30 am
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Appreciate the replies, yup rookie mistake on my part. Impulse buying w/o DD. I bought offset saddles when I need center models. I spent a little time doing the research after my fail....
The patent pending saddles on the B/E strings wear really fast w/ Elixir's for some reason(I suppose its harder vs softer metal issue). I have been rotating them every few string changes to slow the wear, will work the burrs out next time w/ x-fine files and sandpaper.
I was trying to upgrade, ie. get a little more contact area from the saddles and get a little less screw rash on the hand. Anybody have thoughts on the FCH saddles, I know made in Taiwan but they seem to offer direct replacement and address both reasons.


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Post subject: Re: Hardware upgrade question, if you dont mind
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2015 9:03 am
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Putting a shim in the neck pocket will allow you to reset the height of the bridge saddles and reduce your bridge rash.

You probably don't have a neck tilt adjuster on your guitar, but this video gives you an idea of what neck shimming can do for you



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Post subject: Re: Hardware upgrade question, if you dont mind
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2015 1:21 pm
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sfceric64 wrote:
I was trying to upgrade, ie. get a little more contact area from the saddles and get a little less screw rash on the hand. Anybody have thoughts on the FCH saddles, I know made in Taiwan but they seem to offer direct replacement and address both reasons.

For the "screw rash", one cure is to change the neck angle like stratmagler suggests. (I don't think shimming helps with the saddles wearing, though :lol: ...)
Other available cures would be shorter screws, or just grinding the ones you have (do it on the bottom side).

The FullContactHardware (Babicz) saddles are wa-a-a-y overpriced. Go TUSQ (GraphTech), they're half the FCH price and permanently lubed. IMHO, of course.


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Post subject: Re: Hardware upgrade question, if you dont mind
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2015 4:31 pm
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I replaced the bridge of my Squier Jazz Bass with a Babicz bridge - if the rest of their hardware range is built as well then it's not at all a bad avenue to travel along.


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Post subject: Re: Hardware upgrade question, if you dont mind
Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2015 6:28 pm
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All the info here has been helpful. Was trying to stay true to the brand when I purchased the offset saddles mistakenly. They were part "B" of my birthday gift to myself this year, part "A" Schaller locking tuners are a magnificent upgrade. After really looking at block style saddles, didn't see any that alleviated the contact area except for the FCH's. I haven't really had string breaking issues so, I will continue to use the originals to the guitar until purchasing new ones if I'm unable to maintain them w/ some sand/buff & polish. Also gonna pass on the neck articulation, really not necessary but I'm gonna give the screws some love (thinking of a hot wax on the tips) just kidding but it might work temporarily.

I agree on the price point of the FCH saddles, they can be found for under $100 if you look hard enough, still way to much money......


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