OffsetGuitars.com

Now that staytrem is off limits in the U.S, can someone step up to the plate?

Please and thank you.

ive been using the graphtech saddles and once set up, are worth every penny.
http://www.graphtech.com/products/brand ... e77ed45f16

I've been thinking we should have a thread where we bounce ideas around and consolidate all of the scattered knowledge to come up with some alternatives. I'll start.

Here's something I've been playing around with the last few days:

3D printed saddles that use import bridge screw spacing, but are designed for 52mm string spacing and 9.5" radius. The string slot and screws get a slight offset helping to alleviate the screw fouling the string. After printing, they would just need to be tapped for the screws. I have a set of the 1st type being printed now. Then, I realized there was no reason for the saddles to be round, so I drew up the second version to lower the cost and give greater range for intonation.

ahhh mustang bridge..nice to see you again, its been awhile

Most obvious options to assemble a Staytrem-like bridge ...

- import Mustang bridge ... the ones I have seen recently have saddle gaps when spaced at 56mm. When adjacent they are ~52mm spaced.
- re-drill intonation screw holes on opposite edge of stock plate for 52mm spacing (10.4mm separation) (I don't know a source for a blank plate)
- flatten saddle edge ridges on one side of saddles (with a file) so that one side keeps stock 7.25 radius and the filed side has the flatter 9.5 radius. Choose which you need.
- nylon washers in place of springs. Available.
- maybe flanged nylon bushings in top of thimbles, like Am Pro. Available.
- nylon bushings on the post screws - presumably available from engineering shop suppliers (Fender sourced them for the Marrguar Mustang-style bridge).

ThePearDream wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 19, 2018 4:08 pm

I've been thinking we should have a thread where we bounce ideas around and consolidate all of the scattered knowledge to come up with some alternatives. I'll start.

Here's something I've been playing around with the last few days:

3D printed saddles that use import bridge screw spacing, but are designed for 52mm string spacing and 9.5" radius. The string slot and screws get a slight offset helping to alleviate the screw fouling the string. After printing, they would just need to be tapped for the screws. I have a set of the 1st type being printed now. Then, I realized there was no reason for the saddles to be round, so I drew up the second version to lower the cost and give greater range for intonation.

This looks like a good idea, although I'm no luthier.

ThePearDream wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 19, 2018 4:08 pm

I've been thinking we should have a thread where we bounce ideas around and consolidate all of the scattered knowledge to come up with some alternatives. I'll start.

Here's something I've been playing around with the last few days:

3D printed saddles that use import bridge screw spacing, but are designed for 52mm string spacing and 9.5" radius. The string slot and screws get a slight offset helping to alleviate the screw fouling the string. After printing, they would just need to be tapped for the screws. I have a set of the 1st type being printed now. Then, I realized there was no reason for the saddles to be round, so I drew up the second version to lower the cost and give greater range for intonation.

Two questions: 1) would it be radically difficult / prohibitively expensive to order up a batch of machined metal versions of these in both 7.25" and 9.5" radii? 2) would the screw holes have to be in different places to work with MIJ and US bridges?

B/c I gotta say, a solution that amounted to 'here's some new saddles you can pop in your existing bridge' strikes me as pretty close to perfect.

If we're considering 'optimum' offset bridge design, has experience caused us to give up forever on the possibility of height-adjustable saddles that just work (short of a Mastery-like compromise, or loctite, nail polish, wax etc) ?

solfege wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 19, 2018 5:43 pm

ThePearDream wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 19, 2018 4:08 pm

I've been thinking we should have a thread where we bounce ideas around and consolidate all of the scattered knowledge to come up with some alternatives. I'll start.

Here's something I've been playing around with the last few days:

3D printed saddles that use import bridge screw spacing, but are designed for 52mm string spacing and 9.5" radius. The string slot and screws get a slight offset helping to alleviate the screw fouling the string. After printing, they would just need to be tapped for the screws. I have a set of the 1st type being printed now. Then, I realized there was no reason for the saddles to be round, so I drew up the second version to lower the cost and give greater range for intonation.

Two questions: 1) would it be radically difficult / prohibitively expensive to order up a batch of machined metal versions of these in both 7.25" and 9.5" radii? 2) would the screw holes have to be in different places to work with MIJ and US bridges?

B/c I gotta say, a solution that amounted to 'here's some new saddles you can pop in your existing bridge' strikes me as pretty close to perfect.

Can't forget the TOM users (JMJM/CP/Squier DLX). My main concern as in building my Jazzmaster from a squire deluxe as a base.

solfege wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 19, 2018 5:43 pm

Two questions: 1) would it be radically difficult / prohibitively expensive to order up a batch of machined metal versions of these in both 7.25" and 9.5" radii? 2) would the screw holes have to be in different places to work with MIJ and US bridges?

1) I think for 7.25", the easier/cheaper solution is to redrill the screw holes in the bridge base. The ones I have being printed now are more expensive than I would like. Once you factor in the price of the import bridge, it approaches the Staytrem while being a lesser solution. The second type is about $10 less.

2) I'm not sure since i don't have any US bridges.

solfege wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 19, 2018 5:43 pm

B/c I gotta say, a solution that amounted to 'here's some new saddles you can pop in your existing bridge' strikes me as pretty close to perfect.

That was my thinking. I'm not set up to do real metal work myself.

Here are few more ideas I had:

Buy an AmPro bridge (9.5) and lap the sides of the saddles down by .4mm on each side and redrill the intonation screw holes in the base. Right radius, right spacing, quality components.

Buy 10.4mm brass block strat saddles and cut off the part without the height screws. Redrill and tap for the intonation screws.

Find a machinist to mill saddles with the right radius and spacing and do a large group order.

Unicorn Warrior wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 19, 2018 6:05 pm

Can't forget the TOM users (JMJM/CP/Squier DLX). My main concern as in building my Jazzmaster from a squire deluxe as a base.

Gotoh 510BN ? Adjustable radius, 52mm spacing.

timtam wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 19, 2018 6:15 pm

Unicorn Warrior wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 19, 2018 6:05 pm

Can't forget the TOM users (JMJM/CP/Squier DLX). My main concern as in building my Jazzmaster from a squire deluxe as a base.

Gotoh 510BN ? Adjustable radius, 52mm spacing.

Would it be a direct drop in? And I wonder how good it is compared to say a staytrem/mastery?

Unicorn Warrior wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 19, 2018 7:14 pm

timtam wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 19, 2018 6:15 pm

Unicorn Warrior wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 19, 2018 6:05 pm

Can't forget the TOM users (JMJM/CP/Squier DLX). My main concern as in building my Jazzmaster from a squire deluxe as a base.

Gotoh 510BN ? Adjustable radius, 52mm spacing.

Would it be a direct drop in? And I wonder how good it is compared to say a staytrem/mastery?

Yes the Gotoh is usually a direct TOM drop-in (assuming same post spacing). But I see now you were probably asking about a Staytrem-style sitting on TOM-adaptor posts (as they offered), not a full-on TOM-style ? I don't know another source of posts like that. A solution if Staytrem is not available may be drilling out a Mustang base (with the Staytrem-like mods as above) to sit on your TOM posts coming up through the base plate (as has always been an option).

ThePearDream, those saddles look great!! Not having messed with a JM setup (yet!), will the lack of height adjustment matter?

s_mcsleazy wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 19, 2018 1:56 pm

ive been using the graphtech saddles and once set up, are worth every penny.
http://www.graphtech.com/products/brand ... e77ed45f16

I gotta say, those look perfect. I've had other GraphTech products before (Tusq nuts), and they rock.