1. Had some 10mm brass lying around so used that (originals are 8mm I believe). Here they are turned to length alongside the originals.
2. Here is an action shot on my lathe.
3. Then some marking out for centerlines for hole positions.
4. Drill and tap 4 3mm holes in each saddle.
5. Abit of filing.
6. Offer them up to the bridge plate
7.Fit the bridge back on the body and screw the saddles in place.
7. I had measured all the string heights and string break positions. So I knew where they were meant to be. Of course these need some string compensation, these were filed accordingly. I filed some grooves for the strings (to mark out their positions). I had to adjust the angle of these to stop any Sitar like buzzing (this is very important for good tone production). Followed with normal action and intonation setup.
8. Some whole gat shots.
So was it all worth it?
I think so, the tone seems a lot more solid. I also changed my strings from the 10-46 (EB reg Slinkys) I normally use to 10-52 (EB Heavy Bottom). Not sure I like them actually so will probably go back to my old 10-46 set. I have a gig coming up, so will try them for that. One complaint with the old saddles was the 1st string which used to rock on the screw when you bent the string and sometimes the height adjustment screw would vibrate and change its height.
You can pick on every detail about the design of these 3pc saddles to bits forever and the Tele forum has plenty of such details. This has probably been well debated on here for sure also, so I will not raise these ghosts.
Overall I like it and would do it again.
