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Need a source for thick bone saddles
https://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=48425		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Chris Pile [ Tue Oct 18, 2016 9:39 am ]
Post subject:  Need a source for thick bone saddles
Folks - I have a Xaviere flattop in my shop, seems to be decent quality, but the action was high at the bridge. I pulled the saddle, and touched it to my disc sander and the thing broke into 3 parts immediately. I checked and the stuff has the strength of a dried slice of cheese.

Make a new saddle, right? The stock saddle mics out right at .125 thick, and all the plastic and bone blanks I have measure between .110 and .115. I have crawled the usual providers like StewMac, and checked out other internet sources. No one can guarantee a thickness of .125 to me.

I do not want to shim a blank - just seems cheap to me. Years ago Ibanez used to provide extra saddle blanks for their flattops, and they were great - almost .180 thick. I used them frequently when making intonated saddles on other guitars. Anyone still have some of them laying around? Or just some thick bone saddle blanks?

Thanks for any help you can provide.
Author:  bcombs510 [ Tue Oct 18, 2016 9:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Need a source for thick bone saddles
FWIW: I have 5 of the Item # 6031-V from SM and they all are .145+
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Tue Oct 18, 2016 10:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Need a source for thick bone saddles
I have been buying mine from Allied, mostly, and they are 1/8 thick, but they have them up to 1/4 thick. That should do it!
Author:  Hesh [ Tue Oct 18, 2016 2:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Need a source for thick bone saddles
Chris I just reordered yesterday from Christie at Chrislin Trading (China and sometimes west coast US). We've been getting our bone from her for 5 years or so and we are always happy with what we receive. The guys on the OLF who have taken our classes that was Chrislin Trading bone you crafted.

I usually get .141 wide, she calls it 3.6mm :). I buy oversized for our needs because no matter where I've bought bone in the past it often can have a slight amount of bend to it. Thicker lets me mill .005 or so of error over the span of a saddle off the thing.

Besides good quality Chrislin is great for quantities and that's much of the attraction here too.

If you only need one and wanna PM me an addy I'll be happy to drop a blank in the mail to you on Thursday when I'm back in the city.
Author:  bftobin [ Tue Oct 18, 2016 5:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Need a source for thick bone saddles
+1 for Chrislin. Bought a dozen or so nuts and saddles a little while ago.
Great product and people.

Brent
Author:  johnparchem [ Tue Oct 18, 2016 6:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Need a source for thick bone saddles
Depaul Supplies http://luthiersupply.com will go as thick as .250
Quote:
Guitar Saddle, Short Size; 3.5" X 3/8" X 1/4" (9cm X 1cm X 7mm)
. I use them when I am doing 8 string classicals and I need long saddle.

I am not sure how thick their 1/8" are for sure.
Author:  jfmckenna [ Tue Oct 18, 2016 10:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Need a source for thick bone saddles
I just got a bunch of saddles in from DePaule that were sold as 1/8th and measure a good deal wider then that for final fitting.
Author:  bobgramann [ Wed Oct 19, 2016 8:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Need a source for thick bone saddles
LMI can provide .125 if you ask them to make sure it is at least that thick. Worst case, you can go to the pet store and buy a bleached bone and cut it down.
Author:  Chris Pile [ Sun Oct 23, 2016 11:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Need a source for thick bone saddles
Thanks to Hesh for fixing me up with a couple blanks. I finished the new saddle tonight - it looks great, and sounds good!
Author:  Chris Pile [ Thu Nov 03, 2016 9:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Need a source for thick bone saddles
The new saddle, and the owner.... played for about an hour.
The guitar is a used Xaviere - a cheapy with a Fishman pickup.
I gave it my usual "rock and roll low" setup, sounds quite decent.

http://s588.photobucket.com/user/studem ... sort=3&o=6

http://s588.photobucket.com/user/studem ... sort=3&o=4
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