Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi,

What is the difference if you purhcase a saddle and nut from place like
http://www.guitarsaddles.com/pricing.asp

Or from LMII/Colonial and cut it your self?

I mean is there a quality difference in material?

-How many of you make your own from scratch or get it from places like the www.guitarsaddles.com?

thanks!

It looks like your first link supplies saddles and nuts built to factory production specifications on height width radial shape and B sting intonation. in other words builds aftermarket OEM nuts and saddles for specific production line models.

LMI sells some factory spec nuts and saddles and bone blanks

Factory specs are just that built to a specific production line guitar specs and need only final intonation adjustments (Height and intonation positioning)

Blanks and rough pre-shaped blanks need thicknessing, radial shaping, height slotting (nut) and intonation adjustment.

My opinion is since I do not use one of these factories pre-slotted bridge. I am going to need to thickness, cut to proper length radial shape, adjust to proper height, slot and intonate to make a truly properly fitted nut and saddle. So I can not assume that factory spec length, width and radial shape will match my requirements therefore i build my own from bone blanks

Learn to make your own.. those prices are high, and obviously for people/shops who dont know how to make one !!! what says the new saddle he sells is the right hieght anyway - your action may get messed up, and then you have to know how to set it up ... guitars all change over time, so each saddle has to be made on a per guitar basis for optimum setup. It may fit into the slot, adn have a nice compensated .. but theres more to it than that

I like how the bone nut blank is all polished up (and shaped -OK), and you pay the 25 bucks, then you have to file/sand it to fit (cause he even says it slightly oversized), polish it again, and cut the nut slots - what the heck did you pay the 25 bucks for ???? Its only worth 3 or 4 to start, you can shape your own.

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Bob Colosi makes some amazing nuts and saddles. As long as you tell him which model you are installing it on, he has a good handle on thickness, radius, compensation, etc...

On the other hand, one of my favorite things to do is to sculpt on my belt sander. It only takes a $3 bone blank and some time and attention to detail. Couple that with a few rubs on a micromesh cloth and you have something that is glass smooth that you can be proud of.

You DO need to keep an eye on the quality of bone even from StewMac or LMI. I have received bone from both that looked fine, but when put up to a strong light, I could see a couple of dead spots. Bob takes care of things like that before he sends you the final product.

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Don't confront me with my failures--I have not forgotten them.

I believe Bob sells blanks also.I`ve bought some pick -ups from him and he`s great to deal with.He has free delivery on LR Baggs pick -ups.The I-Beam is great sounding and a breeze to install.I`m like Tony and Michael and shape my own nuts and saddles.Sorry if I sounded like I was hijacking this thread.
James

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James W Bolan
Nashville Tennessee

I have bought from this Ebay seller a couple times and was happy with the blanks he sells

http://stores.shop.ebay.ca/Pennington-Luthier-Supply__W0QQ_armrsZ1

Fred

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Fred Tellier
http://www.fetellierguitars.com
Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/FE-Tellier-Guitars/163451547003866

4 or 6 bucks to make your own and 25 or 30 to buy one. that may or may not fit your custom built guitar perfectly. id much rather shape my own.

You can get them from my store.
We have blank and precut bone nuts and saddles, plastic nuts and saddles and brass nuts at
http://www.janika.co.uk/Nuts_and_Saddles.php

We ship worldwide.

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See our website at www.janika.co.uk.
Parts for guitar violin and other string instruments.
Luthier supplies.
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Janikamusic ! this place is not for advertising products. and its been on debate on here that we should use our real names as members. Not company names. No bad intention with my post now, just as some free info .
the guys on top of this page pay money for having their ads up !

Lars