Saddle on F512 - what's it made of?

[chazmo]

Hi folks,

I changed the strings on my 2006 (Tacoma-built) F512 over the weekend. The saddle didn't feel like plastic. I think it might be bone.

Unfortunately, the "specs" on the Guild website leave something to be desired. Any idea what I've got? Does Guild publish details anywhere that I can go consult? I was also wondering about the soundhole rosette material (which looks like the pickguard), and the white plastic binding material...

 

[West R Lee]

Gotta be bone.

West

 

[Scratch]

Just changed the saddle on my F512 a few weeks ago from something synthetic to bone!

 

[chazmo]

Scratch, you think it was synthetic? It sure didn't feel like the plastic saddles I've seen in other guitars. It had the gritty, porous feel of bone, but I'm not sure since I've never actually had a bone saddle before...

 

[Scratch]

Scratch, you think it was synthetic? It sure didn't feel like the plastic saddles I've seen in other guitars. It had the gritty, porous feel of bone, but I'm not sure since I've never actually had a bone saddle before...

Chazmo; my good friend and awesome luthier , Ross Jennings, said it was definitely not bone, although the nut was definitely bone. Go figure! Anyway, it certainly sounds better now...

 

[RussD]

Next time you re-string, touch a red-hot needle to the underside of the saddle for a second (just long enough to get a tiny puff of smoke.) If it smells like plastic, it is. If it smells like hair, it's bone.

 

[chazmo]

Hey, thanks guys.

Russ, great suggestion.

So, anyone know if Guild publishes complete spec sheets anywhere? Anybody have connections in Tacoma with FMIC?