The Guitar Gallery Forums - The Guitar Legacy of Matsumoku

Hello everyone!

My name is Javier and I am part of the Graph Tech Guitar Labs
Research Team.

http://www.graphtech.com

In the interest of being able to provide guitarists around the world with accurate information, We are building the worlds largest database of nut, saddle and bridge pin sizes for acoustic and electric guitars, all models and all years. As you can imagine this is a HUGE task and we would like to ask for your help and be part of the research team. We will be dedicating a web page on the Graph Tech website to all the contributors used in order of correct contributions submitted

Here is what we need. If you can only supply some of the data, that's okay, hopefully we'll get more info from other guitarists.



For Electrics

1. Brand and model and year of guitar ie Gibson Explorer 1975

2 . Nut Length

3 . Nut Width

4 . Nut Height

5 . Nut E to E spacing

6 . Bridge Type (tune-o-matic) if you can, check the underneath of a tune-o-matic bridge to see if there are any letters or numbers

7. (strat style) measure the saddles E to E spacing



For Acoustics

1. Brand and model and year of guitar ie: Gibson Explorer 1975

2 . Nut Length

3 . Nut Width

4 . Nut Height

5 . Nut E to E spacing

6 . Length and thickness of saddle

7 . Bridge pins (if they use them) Diameter of shank, just below collar


Details for measuring your nut can be found at.

http://www.graphtech.com/findnut.htm

For measurements on the saddles, see:

http://www.graphtech.com/findsade.htm

For Tune-o-matic saddles / bridges, see:

http://www.graphtech.com/findsadt.htm


This information will then be added into our growing database, which can be accessed via our web page www.graphtech.com by clicking on the how to find a part and entering your make and model into our search engine.


In addition, any pictures would be greatly appreciated (if is possible)

Entire guitar
Headstock, showing the nut
Bridge, showing the saddles

Who knows, your guitar, or nut, may end up in cyberspace history!

I wish to convey my appreciation to all who participate and to say thank you to the forum moderator for allowing me this opportunity.



Best regards,

Javier Pulido-López

Graph Tech Guitar Labs Ltd
http://www.graphtech.com
The Guitar Industry's Nut and Saddle Experts

Tel: 604-940-5353 Fax: 604-940-4961

Hello and Welcome Javier
That is a great idea to add as many guitars as possible to the database
which I notice is missing the Matsumoku models.

Many times I have read posts of folks looking for drop-in replacement
nuts and saddles to solve string binding and breakage at those points.

We'll probably find many guitar makers use the same sizes.
Hopefully finding those odd sizes will get easier too.

It would be nice to simply click on your model and have a list of compatible
parts come up on the screen.

I would like to replace the nut on an Electra Workingman that is driving me crazy.
You can hear the "boing" sound when trying to tune up as it jumps past the sweet spot.

I know I can get a nut file to widen the slots but sometimes you just want to pop
in the part and have it over with. Done.

Good luck on your project.

Now where are my calipers so I can take some measurements?

it's also worth mentioning that some bridges which look the same, such as on Electra vs. Aria pro models are actually different sizes.

time to do some measuring!

I put a Graph Tech saddle on an acoustic guitar once but It completley changed the tone I didnt like it and immediatly took it out .
I fretted a guitar with stainless steel frets a waist of time- same thing completely ruined the sound ripped them out immediatly. and expensive
not to mention the time it took me.

Graphtech acoustic saddles are nothing like bone or plastic. However, the TusQ saddles are quite popular with acoustic players. I've installed many and every one of them have remained on the guitars.

I've used the Graphtech saddles on pauls and three CS models. Very little impact on the tone at all.

I need saddles for my les paul but I dont want to risk buying expensive saddles That I may not like.I practice a lot In the early mornings and late at night unplugged.
how does it impact on the tone when unplugged.

Despite claims, the Graphtech saddles are just a shade less bright than steel but noticeably brighter than the white plastic saddles.

Hi All..
Im new, UK based and this is my first post. Great site!!
I have an Aria Pro 11 CS350 (just found out thanks to the info on this site that it was made in 1982). I have a problem (which seems quite common)with the Ray bridge that is fitted in that three of my saddles are broken. I have tried unsuccessfully to source replacements with no luck. Alternatives (similar) from other bridges that i have tried do not fit and i dont want to modify the guitar bridge. Please could someone advise a source of suitable replacements or known saddles that will fit existing bridge.
thanks and regards.

PS I love this guitar!

Welcome!

I don't believe a source for those exact saddles has been found as of yet.

The Strat Plus offset saddles from Graphtech will work but it might take a little shaving between to keep them from trying to fan out, you'll have to run the height set screws almost to the bottom of their holes or replace them with longer ones, and you'd have to replace all your saddles at once. It also makes setting intonation with heavier gauge strings difficult due to the angle the saddles have to sit at. It will work though, that much I can say.

I've used the same style saddles in steel also and was lucky enough to find longer height set screws. A couple of other members here have raised the bridge, and others replaced the bridge entirely.

Thanks for the info Crusty I think I will give your method a try as i dont want to 'mess' about with the bridge too much.

When i say that three of my saddles are broken that is not quite correct. I broke one saddle and left 'good ones' at two local guitar shops to try and source a match.. which have since been misplaced! So now i need three.

Dont let these 'hens teeth' out of your sight!

Cheers.