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Post subject: Problems with strings moving on vintage saddles
Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 10:14 am
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As a Stratocaster player I am used to the Strat bridge, so it was a bit of shock to me to see the Tele saddles (on vintage bridges) and the way strings sit on them.

Is it just me or they look very unstable and prone to moving on the saddle when the guitar is played really hard and stings are hit with force? Is this a common problem?

How do people avoid that?

Also, I am reading about intonation issues with vintage Tele bridges, but not sure how severe these are (I suffer from a degree of fastidiousness when it comes to inexact tuning).

I am considering a few Tele models - Baja, '52 Reissue and Ash Teles (some of which include the Vintage bridge) but I am really concerned that strings might move on the saddles and that tuning might not be exact.


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Post subject: Re: Problems with strings moving on vintage saddles
Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 3:34 am
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Anyone?


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Post subject: Re: Problems with strings moving on vintage saddles
Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 5:00 am
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There has been quite a bit of discussion on this issue recently. I've never noticed the strings moving around on the saddles. I am not a super aggressive player and I have a pretty light touch with my picking hand, but I do bend pretty hard on occasion. As far as intonation issues go, I have 2 Teles. One has vintage style saddles that are adjustable, meaning they pivot, and I was able to get perfect intonation. The other has compensated brass saddles which is very close to perfect and definitely good enough for my ears, and I do think I'm a bit finicky in this area.

As Nikininja pointed out the bridge on the G&L ASAT (Tele style) has 6 saddles brass saddles, which is probably the best solution for perfect intonation while maintaining an accurate Tele tone.

Another member here just posted instructions on a way to set up a vintage 3 saddle bridge to get perfect intonation in a thread yesterday.

I would say your best bet is to get a model with 6 saddles, or change to the adjustable saddles if you get a vintage type bridge.

Either way, good luck with finding the right guitar. :)

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Post subject: Re: Problems with strings moving on vintage saddles
Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 6:14 am
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The very reason I get individual saddles on my guitars. Those vintage saddles seem to have intonation problems too. I believe you can have them changed, correct me if I`m wrong. I was told you could order a `52 RI with individual saddles and when I decide to order one I`m having them installed on it.

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Post subject: Re: Problems with strings moving on vintage saddles
Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 6:43 am
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Glendale Guitars "Intone Cutting Edge" Compensated Saddles.

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Post subject: Re: Problems with strings moving on vintage saddles
Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 7:40 am
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Thanks for your answers. I looked up Glendale and their saddles look identical to Fender's. How are they supposed to help? Ant they have like 12 different types. A bit confusing... for me anyway.

Either way, I am sceptical about buying a guitar that needs replacement parts straight out of the box (although I'm sure many will say their Teles are fine as they are).

I guess I'd better start looking at the newer (non ashtray) bridges. My pursuit for the right Tele continues...


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Post subject: Re: Problems with strings moving on vintage saddles
Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 9:35 am
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The Glendale saddles are compensated and touch at the ends so that cuts down most if not all movement of the strings and saddles themselves. I have them on my Tele and have noticed a huge difference. I used to have both problems with intonation and the strings moving but no more.

This is the set youll want for starters

The "Brass" Intone Cutting Edge set. Three Brass.

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Post subject: Re: Problems with strings moving on vintage saddles
Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 8:17 pm
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If your vintage style saddles are not threaded (which allows you to set string spacing too!), you could always file a grove in the "saddle barrels" at the string spacing you prefer. OR, are you talking about your concern that the entire saddle will move with the 2 strings side to side?


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Post subject: Re: Problems with strings moving on vintage saddles
Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 8:41 pm
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I've got a American Special Tele, with the vintage brass saddles and yes, I notice intonation problems when playing it high up the neck, I've set it up as best I can, but once your strings get a bit dirty you really start to notice it in the higher registers.

As far as movement goes, yeah the strings move when you dig in, but you don't really notice it that much and they tend to go back to norm any way.

Give the compensated saddles a crack, they should work for you. The Blacktops have 6 saddle bridges but are HHs, not super traditional teles like the ones you're looking at. Theres a plethora of options, just have a look around.

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Post subject: Re: Problems with strings moving on vintage saddles
Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 3:30 am
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JPD wrote:
The very reason I get individual saddles on my guitars. Those vintage saddles seem to have intonation problems too. I believe you can have them changed, correct me if I`m wrong. I was told you could order a `52 RI with individual saddles and when I decide to order one I`m having them installed on it.


A new 52 Reissue comes with a spare 6 saddle bridge in the box.

I really would advise anyone to not fix problems until they actually have the problem. My '52 with three saddles intonates well enough to fool my ear and my electronic tuner. More accuracy than that is no use to me. With the grooveless saddle barrels it is possible to misalign the string when restringing, but I haven't managed to make one move while playing, even plucking and strumming hard near the bridge.

A problem I actually did have was a too-loud G string. I replaced the plain one with a wound G string and now it's fine. In fact the B is now the loudest, but not intrusive like the G was.


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Post subject: Re: Problems with strings moving on vintage saddles
Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 9:51 am
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I believe the strings are designed to move, actually the saddles move and give the Tele it's unique sound. I LOVE it!

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Post subject: Re: Problems with strings moving on vintage saddles
Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 9:59 am
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jaknzax wrote:
I believe the strings are designed to move, actually the saddles move and give the Tele it's unique sound. I LOVE it!


And it doesn't go out of tune?!?


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Post subject: Re: Problems with strings moving on vintage saddles
Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 1:15 pm
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your name is tremelo arm and your wondering about going out of tune?...no..it's stay in tune fine..we don't have to reinvent the wheel here..what is it 60 anniversary model coming out and we're questiong the design?

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Post subject: Re: Problems with strings moving on vintage saddles
Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 3:43 am
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jaknzax wrote:
your name is tremelo arm and your wondering about going out of tune?...no..it's stay in tune fine..we don't have to reinvent the wheel here..what is it 60 anniversary model coming out and we're questiong the design?


:) You've got a point there. It's just that coming from a Strat, the vintage Tele bridge looks... flimsy. But you are right - 60 years is a long enough test!


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Post subject: Re: Problems with strings moving on vintage saddles
Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 7:06 am
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I'm sorry that's a bit off. And infering that a tremolo equipped guitar can't stay in tune is equally so.
If you move the string from anything but it's straightline, you'll increase tension. Once you do that, you've lost tuning.
As far as old brass saddles moving around, yeah they do and the string will move around on the saddle if you let it. The design is far from perfect, thats why it only took two years for it to be superseeded by the Strat. But you'll soon learn to compensate for that, or adjust your playing so that you're not hitting too hard.

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