I read online somewhere that Bob Brozman recommended using a stainless steel rod for the saddle increases sustain and projection on a Weiss. Anybody do that? What size SS rod did you use?
So many questions I have! Hope I'm not driving you all crazy.
11 Comments |
 | Bob Blair says:
8/6/2011 7:39:20 PM
Carroll Benoit uses what I believe is brass on his "Cajunborne", both for the nut and the saddle.
|
 | Grizz says:
8/6/2011 8:03:25 PM
Sorry Liz, no idea. I never seen it discussed.
|
 | Gitman44 says:
8/6/2011 8:11:13 PM
I tried making a saddle using piano wire to see if it changed the sound compared to the standard aluminum saddle. I really didn't notice any increase in sustain or projection, so I just stayed with the aluminum one that came with the guitar. I would think the stainless steel rod would be harder than the steel piano wire I used, so it may improve the sustain, but would probably sound harsher than the standard aluminum saddle. Plus I have no idea where you'd buy stainless steel rods, unless maybe in a hobby shop.
Give it a try and let us know.... :-)
Andy
|
 | Liz Williams says:
8/6/2011 11:09:06 PM
Yes, Bob - I can see by the picture that the Benoit Cajunborne has a substantial brass nut and saddle. Perhaps I'll try both metals both places. Mine won't look as pretty, but I'll report back. As soon as I find them. We've got one of those local hardware stores that has EVERYTHING, and a good chandlery nearby, so I think I can find both types.
|
| Liz Williams says:
8/14/2011 5:50:22 PM
I just replaced the saddle on my Gold Tone SM with a 3/16" stainless steel rod and LOVE the sound. I can hear the bass strings better and have much more dynamic range. It almost shimmers. Almost. It's as though I gave it a cup of strong coffee: Perked it right up. I tried a brass rod too, and the treble string sound was a little bit warmer, but the bass strings disappeared.
The rod sits on top of the saddle slot which creates a steep string angle, but the bridge pins stayed put and no strings broke, so I'm pleased. Don't know how to post pictures in this thread, but I have them if you want to see what it looks like.
I got the rods at my local hardware store and cut them with the cutting wheel on my dremel. Used goggles, because those metal fragments fly. A hacksaw would work, but I'm not that patient. I thought it was well worth the expense and time.
|
x says:
8/15/2011 3:44:45 PM
Neat! Thanks for sharing.
tc
|
| Gitman44 says:
11/7/2011 5:24:24 PM
Hi Liz, I picked up a piece of 1/8" thick stainless steel rod today and made a new saddle for my Gold Tone Style 4. I didn't go with the 3/16" rod, as it seemed pretty thick. I really didn't notice too much difference with the new saddle. Maybe a little brighter than the aluminum, but not much beyond that. Perhaps the extra 1/16" diameter would make more of a difference.
Andy Fekete (aka Gitman44)
|
| Liz Williams says:
11/7/2011 5:39:50 PM
Hi Andy - Bummer. Sorry it didn't make more of a difference. Just last night I switched to an 1/8" brass rod and thought the sound didn't change all that much from the 3/16" SS. I wonder what makes the difference: Having a metal saddle (any metal) saddle or the string break angle.
In the bad news department, my Gold Tone SM has developed a serious bellying problem. Perhaps those Dunlop Resonator strings are a bit too heavy for it. Oops. I'm very close to listing it on ebay in a fire sale...
|
 | michaeljking says:
10/29/2013 7:44:45 AM
Very late to this discussion but what's your latest thoughts on this(in hindsight) Is it true the original Weissenborn's for the most part had aluminium rod saddles?
|
| Liz Williams says:
10/29/2013 7:51:36 AM
Michael, I can offer my very limited experience here: It's quite inexpensive to experiment with this and it requires no actual woodworking skills. I'm far from an expert, but the original Weisseborns did have aluminum rod saddles. My Bear Creek has a titanium rod that rests in a tiny groove on the ridge rather than being in a deep slot, like the original Weissenborns. My Pogrebas have bone saddles in slots, just like a regular guitar. Putting a stainless steel saddle in my Gold Tone SM did wake up the tone a bit.
|
| Liz Williams says:
10/29/2013 7:52:49 AM
Michael, I can offer my very limited experience here: It's quite inexpensive to experiment with this and it requires no actual woodworking skills. I'm far from an expert, but the original Weisseborns did have aluminum rod saddles. My Bear Creek has a titanium rod that rests in a tiny groove on the ridge rather than being in a deep slot, like the original Weissenborns. My Pogrebas have bone saddles in slots, just like a regular guitar. Putting a stainless steel saddle in my Gold Tone SM did wake up the tone a bit.
|
Post a Comment
|
You must be logged in and a member of this group to post a comment.
|
