1964 Vintage vs. Callaham vs. Raw Vintage Stratocaster Bridge Saddles

The Stratocaster saddles are an important part of the overall tone of the Strat. Different saddles have a different sound. This video shows the difference in vintage saddles vs. two of the most popular so called "vintage correct" replacements. I always wonder why all engineers think that Fender got it wrong and can improve on their designs. I go over a few improvements that are probably more counterproductive. One that I forgot to mention with the Callaham is the claim the steel is a 115 Rockwell hardness when the originals were somewhere around 50 Rc. 50 is plenty hard so why go to 115 Rc? Elongating the string slot is also a claimed improvement. I'm pretty sure the mass of the two replicas is less than the real thing. Mass is important when it comes to the transfer of vibrations. They are definitely a little thinner and the wrap around at the back of the saddle is shorter. With the elongated string slot, the mass has to be less. The disappointing thing about this video is there is nothing available that is exactly like the real thing. I wish that wasn't the case with just about everything vintage vs. modern. Oh well, I think I am going to put the vintage saddles back on.

A couple of you guys pointed out the Highwood Contoured Vintage saddles and I think I may try them next. They look heavy duty and already have a groove cut which hopefully prevents cutting a secondary groove. They look to be the correct mass and I like the idea of the screw being below the top of the saddle.

https://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Parts/All_Hardware_and_Parts_by_Instrument/Electric_Guitar_Parts/Electric_Guitar_Saddles/Highwood_Contoured_Vintage_Saddles_for_Strat_Set_of_6.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=2018-10-gp&gclid=CjwKCAjw0oveBRAmEiwAzf6_rAWObWP_cNagyh448wEFicfUsakVko-H_sjQbLzbJrUGP4BhuUuBwhoCYboQAvD_BwE

http://www.highwood-guitarparts.com/

Here is a quote from Highwood's website: "HG Contoured Vintage Guitar Saddles have more mass giving you longer sustain, clearer note separation and definition, improved harmonic response and touch sensitivity. These smooth feeling Saddles still retain a lovely vintage look. Please note: our Saddles are hardened, but not as much as some other brands. We have noticed that extremely hardened Saddles can change the tone of your guitar, sometimes making your guitar sound 'pingy'. That's because they add upper mid and high to your tone. We believe Leo got it pretty darn right."

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Видео 1964 Vintage vs. Callaham vs. Raw Vintage Stratocaster Bridge Saddles канала millstap