Bone Saddle With Ust - Problem?

[dberch]

I'm thinking of putting a bone saddle on my D-05.  It has the B-band UST.  Will a bone saddle introduce the possibility of string imalance?  Anyone done it with UST?  

Thanks!
David

[bing4sons]

You just have to make sure that the bottom of the saddle is sanded flat, so that it makes contact with the UST the same across all 6 strings.

[jwieties]

You need to check this out.
http://littlebrother.nlpd.com/
Little Brother swears by it.
-josh

[Thig]

Exactly what are we looking at.  That web site seems to cover a lot of ground.

Mike

[ronmac]

Under "Tips and Links" go to "Clay Shim Trick".

Ron

[jwieties]

Exactly what are we looking at.  That web site seems to cover a lot of ground.

Mike

Sorry Mike
I meant to post a direct link to the what Ron referred to.  Although the entire site is should be checked out.  Especially the free lessons.
-josh

[dberch]

Sorry guys, I should have been more clear.   I'm happy with the sound of my UST/AST combo in my D-05.  The reason I'm considering bone is to avoid the grooves that strings always cut into the Tusq saddles.  It affects tone, especially on the B string where the saddle is much more thin where the sting rests. Grooves can cause string pinch and a rattle similar to having the nut too low.  Combine that with the fact that Tusq is softer than bone and the constant wear of changing strings (which I do a lot), can cause some pretty deep grooves.

I've read some places that say bone doesn't transmit vibration as evenly as man-made materials, so string imbalance can occur in a UST application.  The plus is acoustic tone will most likely improve a bit.  

So, back to my original questions:  Have any of you noticed string imablance that was introduced by adding a bone saddle to a guitar equipped with a UST?

Thanks!
David

[unclrob]

David I've never seen or heard any of problem using a bone saddle.Like everyone has stated just make sure the bottom of the saddle is flat.I use the guitar top to make sure I'm flat bottomed.

[dberch]

Thanks, all.  Sounds like it's a go.  Got some research to do on tuners - my D05 tuners are breaking the little white washers. Probably upgrade to Grovers.

Unclrob, Sorry to hear your flat-bottomed.  I'm sure there's a doctor on the west coast who can fix that right up. :D

David

[JohnM2001]

Under "Tips and Links" go to "Clay Shim Trick".

I listened, and the clips with the clay shim did indeed sound better.  My question is this:  the pics show the clay mod being used with a rigid UST, which is what my Fishman Matrix is.  However, my other guitar has a Markley Sweet Spot, which is a flexible metallic tape-like UST with the piezo crystals inside.  Will the clay mod work with a flexible UST like this???

[dbirchett]

I use the guitar top to make sure I'm flat bottomed.

Dang Rob,

Your guitars must be really strong!  ;)