Just installed a bone SADDLE in my L-03R....and

[bearsville0]

So, I'm going to change out my Tusq for bone too. Do you have to pull out the old saddle with pliers or does it come up with finger pulls only?

Cheers

[jeremy3220]

So, I'm going to change out my Tusq for bone too. Do you have to pull out the old saddle with pliers or does it come up with finger pulls only?

Cheers

You'll find out when you go to pull the saddle. It just depends.

[dragon1952]

I couldn't get a very good grip on mine because I had my action adjusted a little low, so I had to use a pair of pliers but it came out easily.

[bearsville0]

Thanks guys.

[naboz]

Yes, sometimes the saddle can be seated really tight.  Use an old t-shirt scrap for lifting w/pliers so no scratches on the bridge (or saddle).
DO make sure, like Roger said, to get the bottom sanded in as perfect a 90 L as possible, so it transfers those sounds!

[bhika]

Yes, sometimes the saddle can be seated really tight.  Use an old t-shirt scrap for lifting w/pliers so no scratches on the bridge (or saddle).
DO make sure, like Roger said, to get the bottom sanded in as perfect a 90 L as possible, so it transfers those sounds!

Your new saddle does not need to be that tight. Snug is good, but if it is to tight it could split the bridge. The wood bridge will expand more with a humidiy increase then the saddle and make a tight fit even tighter.

[bearsville0]

Thanks again, now I can't wait for the strings on the guitar wear out so I order a bone and enjoy something new.

[jeremy3220]

Thanks again, now I can't wait for the strings on the guitar wear out so I order a bone and enjoy something new.

You might want to think about changing the saddle without changing the strings so you can get a better sense of how the sound changes. Then change the strings.

Change.

[dragon1952]

I can never wait that long. I just go ahead and rip 'em off of there regardless of age
Actually, you can just loosen them enough to pull the bridge pins out and then a little more if you need to to get the ball ends out. Throw the new saddle in, put the ball ends and pins back in and re-tighten the strings.

[bearsville0]

Good ideas, thanks again

[markyboy]

You'll find out when you go to pull the saddle. It just depends.

Yes, I had pliers ready when I did mine, but it came out by hand. Almost a slip fit.

[Mr_LV19E]

I can never wait that long. I just go ahead and rip 'em off of there regardless of age
Actually, you can just loosen them enough to pull the bridge pins out and then a little more if you need to to get the ball ends out. Throw the new saddle in, put the ball ends and pins back in and re-tighten the strings.

It also helps if you put a capo on first, keeps the strings from loosening up on the tuning posts.

[bearsville0]

So I went ahead and ordered a "fossilized walrus" saddle from the esteemed Mr. Colosi, took the tips provided in this thread and installed it myself. The height was the same as the Tusq that the git ( L-03 walnut) came with so I didn't have to mess with that and risk making it uneven. I sanded down the sides and fit it in and plugged the strings back into the bridge.

Wow, what a difference! Feels like I added a couple hundred bucks to the value of the guitar.  The bass is much better defined and each note has a distinct "shape" if you will. It all sounds smoother and "soulful" for lack of a better word. Glad I waited this long as I had been conditioned to the Tusq sound and can hear the nuances and improvements in the FWI very clearly.

Thanks again for your tips and encouragement.

[jeremy3220]

cool beans

[pkaczor]

My L-03R recently went back to a Tusq saddle from the bone that had been in there.  Mine actually prefers/ sounds better with the tusq.  While tone is definitely subjective, I know for sure that the intonation in the 8-11 fret range is much better with the tusq.  that was actually the reason for my switch. 

[BluesMan1]

How much was the "fossilized walrus" saddle? They're not cheap, so you probably got what you put into it. Might not have been a couple hundred, but probably a little under (not much). They do make a difference; check out the prices for bridge pins of the same material. Say $125- $250, depending on who makes them & the quality. I'm not trying to burst your bubble, but you can mod out your git & spend alot of money. If you think the money spent justifies the end results, God bless you. Tusq is just a decent sounding material, & you get what you pay for. Some think bone sounds better, like I do, others think Tusq is better. Personal preference.  Great that you feel & hear that it made that much of a difference. I can't afford fossilized walrus anything @ the prices they sell for. Don't mean to sound negative; just expressing my opinion. LOL
Jeff   

[dragon1952]

Actually you can get one for around $50 shipped, which comes out to about 2 pizzas worth of coinage. If you go with regular bone, it's about half that. The bridge pins are a lot more expensive because they are a lot more material and much more craftsmanship involved, plus the inlays. But the regular bone pins are less than 2/3 the cost of the ivory. It's all relative I guess. Personally, if I spend $1000 and up for a git, I don't mind springing for $70 Gotohs and $25 (or more) for a nice bone saddle. And if the pins weren't very attractive, I would definitely spend some more to dress things up a bit. But I actually think the Larrivee pins are pretty nice looking. And when you clink them down on the table, they don't really sound like plastic. They must be a really nice plastic. But I definitely don't like the looks of the Tusq saddle. It may sound OK, but it doesn't look very classy. It kinda looks like a toy material to me.

[bearsville0]

The FWI saddle from Colosi was 49 bucks (US $) including the 6 for shipping.

[BluesMan1]

Guess I was thinking more about pin prices. I'll have to try to get the f.m. saddles for my gits. Can't pass up the tonal increase for that price. Sorry if I sounded too negative. Didn't mean it that way. 
Jeff   

[Johnny M]

Glad to hear that you like the results.  I had an L-03R that I changed the tusq saddle for bone and didn't like it.  Granted it gave it more sustain, but the trebles sound thin and kinda harsh.  I played it for a couple of weeks like that and I never warmed up to it, so I put the tusq saddle back in the next string change.  Both my guitars now have bone nut and saddles and love them.  I guess it really comes down to the particular guitar.  As I said, glad it worked out well for you.

John