12 string saddle
- Thread starter timbo2
- Start date
I had some work done on mine several years ago and compensated the existing bone saddle. I don't think it really made a big difference.timbo2 said:
Brad
Tim, that's correct. The compensated saddles started either in late Corona or early Tacoma era, around 2005. There are several different examples of these saddles from the 2005-2007 period. My F-512 has kind of a notched compensation that was done for each course. Newer ones seems to have perhaps better compensation as they appear to be compensated on a per-string basis. Not sure. I have not tried installing one on an earlier bridge; you would have to rout out the slot to permit the wider saddle. I would leave such a job for a luthier. In fact, most luthiers can cut a compensated saddle for you from a bone blank, so the real issue isn't actually finding one of these saddles, it's reshaping the bridge to accept one.timbo2 said:
Taylor Martin Guild
Senior Member
I have had some compensation work done on 2 of my old Guild 12 strings.
The B strings and the Bass E strings were done, which helped intonation quite a bit.
For those of you familiar with Chris Proctor, before he went with Taylor Guitars, Chris played a Guild D212.
When he sold it, I was able to play it. The saddle on it had been replaced with a fully compensated saddle.
The slot in the bridge was enlarged to accommodate a wider saddle.
The entire saddle was compensated to give the guitar the best possible intonation.
I would have been interested in the guitar at the time, but I already owned a D212.
It was a tuning monster though!
Chris' on the other hand was very nice.
I wish that I knew then what I know now!
The B strings and the Bass E strings were done, which helped intonation quite a bit.
For those of you familiar with Chris Proctor, before he went with Taylor Guitars, Chris played a Guild D212.
When he sold it, I was able to play it. The saddle on it had been replaced with a fully compensated saddle.
The slot in the bridge was enlarged to accommodate a wider saddle.
The entire saddle was compensated to give the guitar the best possible intonation.
I would have been interested in the guitar at the time, but I already owned a D212.
It was a tuning monster though!
Chris' on the other hand was very nice.
I wish that I knew then what I know now!
Dr Izza Plumber
Senior Member
I bought a few compensated saddles to replace those on My GAD 212, D55 and one for My JF30-12, however, I'm replacing the bone with tusk. The tusk saddles and nuts are harder/denser material, and seem to last longer than bone. My ears tell me that tone is healthier with tusk as well.
On the JF30-12 and D55, I may have the bridge opened up for the thicker saddles, not sure yet, that may be in the not too distant future. For now, I'll leave the bone nuts in place, but should they deteriorate and crack, they'll also be replaced with tusk.
I bought the compensated saddles at a local guitar/music store, because I was able to select heights and lengths close to those I needed to replace.
.
On the JF30-12 and D55, I may have the bridge opened up for the thicker saddles, not sure yet, that may be in the not too distant future. For now, I'll leave the bone nuts in place, but should they deteriorate and crack, they'll also be replaced with tusk.
I bought the compensated saddles at a local guitar/music store, because I was able to select heights and lengths close to those I needed to replace.
.