GAD's Bone Nut And Saddle?

[Taylor Martin Guild]

I question whether the nut and saddle on my GAD JF-48 are bone, like the factory states they are.
I tried putting a hot needle to them and also a known bone saddle, but I couldn't get any sure results.
Neither one melted at all or had any smell.
I see in another post someone else is questioning the same thing.
The saddle looks like some kind of plastic to me.
If it is, how can I get the factory to make it right?

 

[Jeff]

Likely the nut & saddle are bone, Try the hot needle on a known piece of plastic & compare the results.

 

[AfterDarkMusic]

From my understanding, if a hot needle didn't melt it it's not plastic.

What other reasons do you have to suspect that it's not bone?

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

I have several bone saddles and this one just doesn't look like the rest.It looks like plastic.
There are many types of bone and this may just be different than I have seen before.
It's really white!

 

[danerectal]

It could just be bleached and buffed bone. How's that for alliteration?

 

[DennisMiller]

I raised this issue about the new jumbo I received from MF yesterday. The saddle has the little tilted walls you usually see on molded materials. I've simply never seen bone cut that way, although it could be put on a machine and cut while the machine follows a form.

I played my new guitar for about 2 hours last night and don't feel compelled to argue with anyone about the material in the saddle. I like it fine the way it is, but it does look strange for a bone saddle. I may measure a blank I have here and cut a saddle for it. I may also try a Tusq saddle I have here if it fits. THEN, I'll decide what I like best.

BTW - not to steal the thread, but does anyone know what strings this thing comes with? I usually use D'Addario EJ16's on my acoustics, but someone mentioned this might have come with Guild strings. I never even knew there was such a thing.

 

[Graham]

BTW - not to steal the thread, but does anyone know what strings this thing comes with? I usually use D'Addario EJ16's on my acoustics, but someone mentioned this might have come with Guild strings. I never even knew there was such a thing.

Thread stealing is a good thing here, gets you extra Guildpoints.

As for the strings, I think they come with D'Addario's now. Guild branded strings are available from some ebay shops, but John Pearse also make a very good string IMO.

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

Ah strings!
This is where I tell everyone about my secret strings.
I am back to using Euphonon Strings.
Mail order a dozen sets for under $2.50 a set, and you can't tell them from D'Addario strings.
Best string buy out there!!!

 

[DennisMiller]

Not that the original strings are worn out by any means, but tonight, I'm going to take them off and oil the fretboard on the jumbo. I'll stick a set of EJ16 D'Addarios on and start playing them in a bit before the jam in Boca on Sunday. I've never been serious about testing strings, but buying bulk and saving money isn't against my principles. Maybe it's about time to try some things.

 

[JerryR]

Reverting to the thread topic (unusual for me, an inveterate veerer), when my D35 recently had the plastic nut and saddle replaced by bone, the new bone is very clean and white. No doubt age will weather it :mrgreen:

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

Thanks for the responses.
I'm going to believe Guild and accept that it is bone.
By the way, it's a great sounding guitar for the money!
Looks nice to!!