Where to get saddles

[Sandstorm]

I recently acquired an Epiphone 1957 SJ-200 with a 12" fretboard radius.  I got a great deal on it preowned and plan to install a K&K pure or Schatten HFN and remove the stock LR Baggs VTC element bronze undersaddle system.

Once I remove the undersaddle wire, I'll need to either shim or replace the saddle and I'm having a hard time locating a saddle that specifies the radius and the ones that are specified seem to be 16".

I am comfortable sanding the bottom for height but no idea how to shape a radius on a fully compensated saddle...would be easier if I can just find a 12" bone saddle from somewhere. 

Any sources?

[BlueBowman]

Not cheap, but good quality IME: https://guitarpartsandmore.com/products-2.php?Gibson-reg-Style-Drop-In-Guitar-Saddles-with-12-Radius-37

Cheaper if you feel crafty and wanna make your own. I should note that I've bought their bone blanks, not their drop-in, ready-made saddles. But I would think the quality would be similar.

[B0WIE]

 I've been using GuitarPartsAndMore for years, back when ivory was legal. In fact, I need to place an order w/ him for a bunch of bone blanks. David picks great materials. I definitely recommend the blanks, they're like $5. And, you're going to have to shape the saddle anyway if you really want it correct. It's not ideal to buy a 12" radius saddle for a 12" radius fretboard. There's a common misconception about that. The string spacing at the nut is not the same as the spacing at the saddle so you will get uneven (possibly even problematic) string action if the saddle radius is not wider. Either the middle strings become too high or the outer strings too low. Also, if you're making the correct radius, might as well intonate the saddle to your particular guitar and string choice. I've personally never been satisfied with any of the drop-in compensated saddles. They are trying to be a one-size-fits-all so they're never actually great. And, with a blank, you can get the saddle thickness dialed in exact too, which allows the saddle to be snug and that can affect the quality of sound in a good way as it means much better contact on all 3 sides.

 Disclaimer; I'm a bit of a perfectionist about this stuff and intonation issues really jump out at me so my recommendation may be more than what's reasonable for someone who just wants to drop in a new saddle. But, for $5 in bone, a sheet of sandpaper, and the cost of a cheap hand file, you can make a perfect saddle.

[BlueBowman]

But, for $5 in bone, a sheet of sandpaper, and the cost of a cheap hand file, you can make a perfect saddle.

And a lot of patience if new to it. It's the preferred method though. As Bowie says above, the drop-in saddles will never be AS perfect as one made from a blank. The fit, front to back, is crucial, and some older guitars' saddle slots may have widened over time, meaning the drop-in replacement will not fit as snuggly as it should.

[Sandstorm]

Any saddle work I've done prior has only been minor fitment on the sides and length or adjusting the height.  Not sure about doing the intonation.  When I wanted to raise the action on my Larrivee, I just ordered a compensated saddle from the Larrivee proshop. 

I have a set of guitar radius guages and the current saddle fits perfect with a 12" guage.  The specs on the guitar indicate a 12" radius on fretboard.  I did find it odd that many bone, tusq brands didn't actually specify the radius'.  Would you be suggesting that a flatter radius may work just fine, supposed a 16"?

[StringPicker6]

If you're willing to try synthetic, then graphtech makes saddles that specify radius. I personally don't mind their tusq material, but I don't worry too much about bone versus plastic. I can understand how a lot of people prefer bone, it's probably the best.

[Sandstorm]

If you're willing to try synthetic, then graphtech makes saddles that specify radius. I personally don't mind their tusq material, but I don't worry too much about bone versus plastic. I can understand how a lot of people prefer bone, it's probably the best.

I believe the stock material on my Gibson Hummingbird was tusq, so when I removed the baggs vtc undersaddle, I put another graphrech tusq...no complaints here.

I did manage to find a fully compensated 12" radius by graphtech, locally so I snatched it up and length was perfect...just had to fit the width slightly.

All good in the hood now.

[BlueBowman]

All good in the hood now.

Glad it worked out. Fitting snuggly is very important.

[StringPicker6]

Out of curiosity, is that Epiphone 1957 AJ-200 actually a new modern build?

[Sandstorm]

Out of curiosity, is that Epiphone 1957 AJ-200 actually a new modern build?

It is from the inspired by Gibson custom line, the same specs of the Gibson 1957 SJ-200.  I've been very pleased with and quite keen on the look and sound of maple back and sides.  Love the gibson jumbo look, with all the fixings.

[StringPicker6]

Well that's a cool new offering! I have a soft spot for Epiphone. The history of that company is very interesting, and a bit sad how Gibson bought the brand cheap. Jumbos intrigue me and I like the narrow waist compared to dreads.

[Sandstorm]

Well that's a cool new offering! I have a soft spot for Epiphone. The history of that company is very interesting, and a bit sad how Gibson bought the brand cheap. Jumbos intrigue me and I like the narrow waist compared to dreads.

Epiphone has always had a few models I've considered buying because the value compared to Gibson equivalent was undeniable.  Like if you want the look and feel and sound of being able to pick up and play an ES-335 or SJ-200 without the significant cash outlay, it's hard to ignore Epiphone. 

I've always bought US made Fenders or Gibsons and bought, sold and traded (and returned  )many over the years...or Japanese Ibanez, Charvel guitars.  It took me a while to come around to spending my own money on a Chinese guitar because maybe I thought I was too seasoned of a player to buy something that is not a serious, heirloom quality, professional instrument.

My previous experience with a Chinese guitar was over 20 years ago when I wanted an acoustic, I bought a Chinese made Washburn with a transparent finish top, layered or veneer back and sides...cheap electronics and a cutaway.  I didn't have it very long before realizing it looked good but sounded poor.  Then I didn't touch anything made in China or take anything serious that was made in China.  Maybe that was my own ignorance and close mindedness. 

Earlier this year I bought a wine red Epiphone firebird and I absolutely love it. 

I stumbled on this Inspire by Gibson Custom on a trip into a music store and although I avoid impulsively buying gear, I jumped on this.  I play mostly fingerstyle and I find playing a dreadnought style guitar to be okay playing in my left leg sitting down and balance for me is a little lopsided playing in my right leg because of the waiste on the guitar.  The SJ200 is a big guitar but silhouette is not much different proportionally from a classical, so to me, it feels like a better fingerstyle instrument than a dread.

I had my eye in the Century series L-00, but the ebony finish was months out for availability up here in Canada and I'd always thought about pulling the trigger on an Epiphone jumbo from this Gibson line so when I saw a mint condition preowned one without even a pick mark on the pickguard for $700 Cdn less than a new one...I had to throw down.

I'll try to post a picture but still trying to figure out how to on here...