I'm sure someone has asked this before, but can I get a bone saddle for the parlor that will not require any technical expertise (filing, shaping, etc.) to install? There are no luthiers--or even repair shops--near here. I would like to put one in my new parlor.
Deb :huh:
give it a min. or 2 someone let you know where you can buy one.In the mean time almost all replacement parts need some TLC so be prepared.If I can be of help after you get it call me at the shop I can talk you thru it. :D
That would be good. I'm anxious to hear what it would sound like with a bone saddle.
(I suppose I could keep the one that is on it, in case I really screw it up.)
Deb
Sound wize you will hear an overall improvement in all freq.ALWAYS KEEP ORIGINAL PARTS.Let me know if I can help. B)
Wow, Ive played my rosewood parlor I guess about 50 hours so far and I wouldnt change a thing. I dont understand changing good stuff, I would understand if it had a plastic saddle or nut, but tusq is good stuff, i use all tusq on my strat. I would think that jean would use ivory or bone if it made a great diff. the cost in production would be very little. I play as I said about 1 1/2 hours a night and have been for 20 + years and my parlor is by far my favorite at home guitar. since your guitar is new to you, why dont you play it a while before changing things... i dont know maybe its just me, Ive started making plans for a custom orderd 14 fret walnut parlor..
Deb i know LMI has bone saddles but i'm quite sure they would probably need to be adjusted to fit your guitar. One thing i would be sure to do is keep your original saddle un-altered which as you mentioned in case things go wrong, but just as importantly the original saddle can be used as a point of reference for adjusting another saddle. Maybe your hubster can do the adjusting if you don't want to try it. I've adjusted my classicals saddle and it went well and was simple to do with a file and or sand paper (i think i used 120 grit)
Good luck, poki B)
What exactly does tusq look like? The saddle in my OM is much darker and looks much different than the one in the parlor. It looks like white plastic.
Deb :unsure:
The Tusq saddle in my parlor looks like Bone only a little lighter in color, off white no gloss. Maybe on 2001 hey werent tusq like they are now, Robb
Deb, changing the saddle on your parlor is not a hard job at all. You can get pre-compensated bone saddles from FQMS for about $6.00. You WILL have to do the final sanding to fit properly, but this is not a big job. A flat surface and some medium samdpaper is all that you need. Use your current saddle as your template. You will have to sand the bottom of the bone saddle to get the right string offset to the fretboard. You can also lower your action a little if you want to. Just make sure you sand the bottom of the bone saddle FLAT. You may have to sand the front and back of the saddle to fit the bridge slot properly, snug but not too tight.
We have done several, and I have done a couple myself. I have not done my Parlour as yet. I will when I put a PU in it.
You can find FQMS on the web, and order over the phone. Hope this helps.
Below you will find a link to an excellent article, including photos which details how to adjust a saddle. (Watch the wrap!) Process is straight forward. 150 grit sandpaper a pencil and straight edge. There are other articles here regarding saddle height and string height.
In summary if the distance between the top of the 12th fret and the bottom of the low E string is between 3/32 and 4/32 you are good. The distance between the top of the guitar (in front of the bridge) and the bottom of the low E string should be between 3/8 and 1/2.
Good luck and keeping the original (while working on a replacement) ensures you will not have any problem. You can always go back to the original.
http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/OwnerManua...anssguitar.html (http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/OwnerManual/manssguitar.html)
Check out rcolosi's post in "Buy, Sell, Trade". I haven't tried one of his saddles, but he seems to have had good feedback on the Taylor Forum and eBay. I was going to buy one of his but I've decided to try making one from scratch myself using the original as a pattern.
Ed
Keep in mind that the problem with bone is inconsistencies in the density of the material. Tusq is ALWAYS consistent because it is man made.
A bone nut or saddle can actually make your guitar sound worse!
Dave,
I'll be sure to keep the Tusq saddle incase I don't like the bone. As long as I use a good blank I don't expect any problems. Bone has been the choice in quality guitars for a long, long time.
Ed
I've used both bone and Mammoth Ivory....
ivory is much much better....clearer, more bass and makes your guitar louder...
Bone is good too....