Brass vs. Steel bridge saddles on a hipshot vintage bridge...has anyone here A/B'd?

I have A/B'd on steel vs brass saddles on a generic bridge. If there was a difference I couldn't detect it. I wasn't using headphones to test with - perhaps I might have heard it if I had used phones.

 

Not on Hipshot specifically but I've used both and couldn't tell any appreciable difference.

 

I put threaded steel saddles on the B and E of my NP5 (Hipshot bridge) and left the brass saddles on the A, D, and G. Very subtle but adds a bit of brightness/harmonics.

 

Like the other guys, I haven't specifically tested the Hipshot bridges & saddles. But I design and machine up my own bridges and many customs for clients. I've done direct side-by-side comparisons of saddles made from aluminum, brass, and stainless. Exact same part, machined by me.

There is a difference in sound between them, but it's small. The harder the metal is, it gives you a slight extra tingle up in the high frequencies. But you'll only hear it (barely) if you're using clean roundwounds, a wide range Hi-Fi pickup, and a stiff-frame bass. Most normal basses and playing conditions, you won't hear the difference.

The reason isn't resonance through the metal, or anything like that. If the saddle is made from harder metal, like mild steel, stainless or hardened steel, you get a harder, sharper edge right at the fulcrum point. That allows a bit more ringing of the high frequency overtones. Again, you'll only notice it in particular Hi-Fi conditions.

If the saddle is made from softer metal, particularly aluminum, that edge gets slightly mashed and rounded by the string. That high frequency ring gets dampened, just a little bit.

If you are trying to build the ultimate Ping Monster, where you do extensive tapping and harmonics and tones that make dogs jump, go with steel saddles. For everything else, go with brass. Or steel. Whichever you think looks cooler.