Vintage ES Owners: What do you prefer for Bridge/Saddles?

Davidos · Dec 6, 2019

I have a '64 ES-335... It came with Nylon saddles but they were pretty mangled... I put graphtech ABR saddles on the original bridge and that is what is on there now... I thought the graphtechs were harder and more like the original nylon than the seemingly soft nylon replacement saddles available from allparts, etc.

Wondering about nickel plated brass or trying some original vintage nylon saddles that I would have to re-slot...

What do you prefer?

Wilko · Dec 6, 2019

I tend to like a brighter sound for a few reasons, so the nylon has to go. I prefer good ol' factory saddles and those tend to be brass. I'd probably love some sort of light alloy, but haven't sourced any.

With heavier objects, simple physics says that higher frequencies tend to smaller, weaker vibrations so it's easier for them to attenuated by heavy or soft materials.

1965 stop-tail converted and long guard

Guitar Whiskey · Dec 6, 2019

I have a ‘61 335 with the stock brass/nickel saddles and had a ‘65 with the stock plastic saddles. I thought both sounded great on the respective guitar but never swapped them to hear the difference between them. I would personally go with what ever the guitar originally came with if you can find them somewhere.

deytookerjaabs · Dec 6, 2019

I put ABS Plastic saddles on my ES-340 and my Freddie King that I used to have and now have some on order for my current vintage ES335. No, no big tone upcharge or secret explanation as to why they have some magical molecular composition. Just freakin' plastic, 8 bucks a set, and harder than current Nylon saddles:

https://www.philadelphialuthiertools.com/bridge-and-tailpieces/abr-1-bridges/abr-1-parts/non-wired-abr-1-white-abs-string-saddles-set-of-6/

musekatcher · Dec 7, 2019

I'm wondering the same thing. I've ordered a brass replacement for my nylon-saddled bridge, I also ordered a roller bridge, that is heavier, but with roller saddles. Haven't tried either yet, because I'm too darn happy with it (65' 330) as it is. I will eventually try them, I'm a curious cat most of the time.

RAB · Dec 7, 2019

I've tried just about every saddle out there, new and vintage. I always wind up using vintage milled brass saddles, either nickel or gold plated to match the instrument. The saddles have a bell like tone quality that I really like! Have these on my '59 First Rack ES-345 and on my '62 Epiphone E-360TD Riviera. :hank

Davidos · Dec 9, 2019

Ended up putting some original Nylon saddles back on. The spacing is not ideal as I had to make due with the slots that were already on there...

The original nylon saddles cut like bone... very similar.

I did notice a slight harmonic improvement... Need to put on new strings...

First pic is the Tusq saddles

Second pic original nylon saddles.

deytookerjaabs · Dec 9, 2019

Yeah, they cut easy. I have original nylons on an old Gibson ABR that I tried to swap (the ABR came on a floating bridge with my Gretsch!), two of them snapped in half with just a tiny turn of the screw, uhg. Got too brittle over time. Thus, back to plastic.

latestarter · Dec 9, 2019

I’m with RAB. Brass sounds best to me, and was how my ‘60 335 came. I have had nylon on a number of later 3xxs and a ‘70 SG and never gelled with the sound. Missing attack - I play reasonably hard.

crashbelt · Dec 12, 2019

I have a 59 335 and 60 355 with brass/nickel and a 64 335 and 68 Trini with 'nylon'. All factory I think.

They all sound great in their own ways so I'd never give this question any thought!!

OKGuitar · Dec 18, 2019

The original nylon is hard as a rock and they work great but they are brittle and break easily and often. That said, I'm with Roger (RAB)-the milled brass saddles from the 50's are the best-especially the ones with the flat top-not the knife edge. Tusq work pretty well to if you want your 60's 335 to look right but can't find the milled nylon saddles form the era. The nylon ones they sell now are awful.

renderit · Dec 19, 2019

Mashed potatoes for saddles. I use gravy for nut sauce. If I run the scales I have dinner. MMMMMmmmmmmm!

marshall1987 · Dec 19, 2019

A good follow on question and perhaps a bigger issue is....

How do you accurately intonate vintage 1958-1964 ES-3XX bridges, especially with modern light gauge strings? Frequently the G-string saddle does not have enough travel.

It seems many of these vintage thin-line, semi-hollow body ES guitars will not intonate properly with modern light gauge strings. :dang

Wilko · Dec 20, 2019

marshall1987 said:
It seems many of these vintage thin-line, semi-hollow body ES guitars will not intonate properly with modern light gauge strings. :dang

With 0.01"-.046" and pretty low action mine works great with flipping the two that need it (G and low E)

Vintage ES Owners: What do you prefer for Bridge/Saddles?

Davidos

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Wilko

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Guitar Whiskey

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deytookerjaabs

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musekatcher

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RAB

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Davidos

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deytookerjaabs

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latestarter

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crashbelt

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OKGuitar

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renderit

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marshall1987

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Wilko

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