Does saddle material make a tonal difference?

[B String]

Looking for opinions here. I'm using an aluminum bridge with brass saddles. My G string seems to be just a tad weaker than the other strings. I've ruled out string, pickups, string height, etc. I'm told that changing the saddle from brass to steel would make an audible difference. Does the saddle material make a much of a difference in tone and volume? Opinions?

 

[ddnidd1]

Just curious - who mentioned the noticeable difference when changing from brass to steel?

 

[testing1two]

If we're just talking saddles, you won't hear much of a difference, if any. I've swapped brass saddles for vintage threaded steel saddles and didn't notice any significant change in tone. If you change the entire bridge from brass to steel or aluminum or titanium the difference is much more noticeable. On anything other than a traditional Fenders brass has always been my go-to but many people I respect prefer the brightness and responsiveness of aluminum. I tried a titanium bridge on a p-bass and while the increase in sustain was impressive, it added brightness that wasn't pleasant on my particular bass so I went back to steel.

 

[Hopkins]

Looking for opinions here. I'm using an aluminum bridge with brass saddles. My G string seems to be just a tad weaker than the other strings. I've ruled out string, pickups, string height, etc. I'm told that changing the saddle from brass to steel would make an audible difference. Does the saddle material make a much of a difference in tone and volume? Opinions?

A weak G string can be caused by a number of reasons, but I seriously doubt that changing the saddle material is going to fix it. Play with your pickup height to see if you can get a more even response

 

[B String]

A weak G string can be caused by a number of reasons, but I seriously doubt that changing the saddle material is going to fix it. Play with your pickup height to see if you can get a more even response

Thanks. I tried a number of other things. No go. BUT, I just got a steel saddle and replaced the brass saddle. It seemed to work. There's an ever so slight tonal change to the string, but if I didn't tell you, you'd never know. It has however seemed to bring the volume and note strength in line with the others. Yippee!
I remember changing the bridge on my James Tyler bass many years ago from a Wilkinson to a Hipshot aluminum with brass saddles. It changed an already good bass into a fantastic bass. It was Tyler's idea. (He'd been experimenting)

 

[Hopkins]

Thanks. I tried a number of other things. No go. BUT, I just got a steel saddle and replaced the brass saddle. It seemed to work. There's an ever so slight tonal change to the string, but if I didn't tell you, you'd never know. It has however seemed to bring the volume and note strength in line with the others. Yippee!
I remember changing the bridge on my James Tyler bass many years ago from a Wilkinson to a Hipshot aluminum with brass saddles. It changed an already good bass into a fantastic bass. It was Tyler's idea. (He'd been experimenting)

Somehow I think that replacing the saddle only changed the string balance because the string was removed and reinstalled. It may have removed a twist in the string or corrected a bad break angle. A saddle swap just cannot raise the output of a string.

 

[B String]

Somehow I think that replacing the saddle only changed the string balance because the string was removed and reinstalled. It may have removed a twist in the string or corrected a bad break angle. A saddle swap just cannot raise the output of a string.

I'm not saying it raised the volume exactly. The string just sounded a bit weaker or not quite as full as the others. I might try putting the old saddle back next time I change strings. I might also try changing all the saddles just to see what happens. In any event, its working good now.

 

[Hopkins]

I'm not saying it raised the volume exactly. The string just sounded a bit weaker or not quite as full as the others. I might try putting the old saddle back next time I change strings. I might also try changing all the saddles just to see what happens. In any event, its working good now.

That's all that matters.

 

[B String]

That's all that matters.

Ha... I appreciate that comment.

 

[neckdive]

I'm not saying it raised the volume exactly. The string just sounded a bit weaker or not quite as full as the others. I might try putting the old saddle back next time I change strings. I might also try changing all the saddles just to see what happens. In any event, its working good now.

You could swap it without moving or changing the string. Detune a few steps, lift and put something slight taller under the string to act as a temporary saddle. Unscrew the current saddle and replace.

This would eliminate the string as a variable.

 

[B String]

You could swap it without moving or changing the string. Detune a few steps, lift and put something slight taller under the string to act as a temporary saddle. Unscrew the current saddle and replace.

This would eliminate the string as a variable.

That's almost exactly what I did.

 

[neckdive]

Are the height screws made of the same material? Since they are the direct contact point to the bridge plate, they could be eliminated or tested as a variable.

 

[Turnaround]

Changing saddle screws might have a tiny effect, but it wouldn't be audible. There's no one magic bullet. You can change the saddles- maybe a sonic difference, but it won't be anything other than subtle. You could change the entire bridge and there would be more of a change, but not huge. You could then change the nut to brass and maybe you might notice a wee change. How about a new neck made from magic tone woods?

Perhaps the change you are looking for is a new bass. At some point the economics of modification are sketchy at best. Not that you shouldn't try some mods. Go ahead - it's only money.

This is not aimed at the OP, or anyone else in particular. I've just seen too many clients that were pursuing the sound in their head by doing mod after mod on their instrument, only to become so disatisfied that they ended selling at a loss. Maybe the best course of action is to stop listening to that sound in your head.

 

[1stnamebassist]

Maybe the best course of action is to stop listening to that sound in your head.

Yes, and just play the thing. Most of you audience wouldn't know if you switched from a pbass with flats, to a Rick with rounds anyway. I switch basses and strings all the time for my enjoyment, but I don't believe anyone else will care either way. But yeah, if something sounds really funky in a not so good way you should address that no doubt.

 

[202dy]

This is not aimed at the OP, or anyone else in particular. I've just seen too many clients that were pursuing the sound in their head by doing mod after mod on their instrument, only to become so dissatisfied that they ended selling at a loss. Maybe the best course of action is to stop listening to that sound in your head.

A friend and mentor of mine from outside the music world often says, "It's never going to be perfect."

Sage advice.

 

[Turnaround]

Almost perfect advice.

 

[B String]

Changing saddle screws might have a tiny effect, but it wouldn't be audible. There's no one magic bullet. You can change the saddles- maybe a sonic difference, but it won't be anything other than subtle. You could change the entire bridge and there would be more of a change, but not huge. You could then change the nut to brass and maybe you might notice a wee change. How about a new neck made from magic tone woods?

Perhaps the change you are looking for is a new bass. At some point the economics of modification are sketchy at best. Not that you shouldn't try some mods. Go ahead - it's only money.

This is not aimed at the OP, or anyone else in particular. I've just seen too many clients that were pursuing the sound in their head by doing mod after mod on their instrument, only to become so disatisfied that they ended selling at a loss. Maybe the best course of action is to stop listening to that sound in your head.

Virtually none of what we do to our instruments (or amps) have any effect on the audiences experience. It can however make a huge difference on OUR experience. I agree that polishing a turd can only take you so far. The bass I'm concerned with in this post is about as far away from being a turd as it gets. This is a brilliant bass with the slightest perceptible flaw that was bugging me. It turned out to be a cheap, easy and effective fix. My friend the concert violinist can feel the slightest change in his fiddle after being worked on. He has that close a relationship with his instrument after countless hours and years of playing it. Many serious bassists I know have that same close relationship with their basses.
Having said that.... But ultimately I think it goes back to the old Zappa line..."Shut up and play yur guitar"

 

[40Hz]

I'm not saying it raised the volume exactly. The string just sounded a bit weaker or not quite as full as the others. I might try putting the old saddle back next time I change strings. I might also try changing all the saddles just to see what happens. In any event, its working good now.

Better lucky than smart sometimes.

And a win is a win.

Glad it worked out for you.

 

[ZenG]

I had that problem a couple of times.

The solution I found was:-

(a) replace the string with a better one or a gauge that works.

(b) raise the pickup (or lower as the case may be) on the G-side.

(c) Sometimes just taking the string completely off and re-installing it can work.

(d) Check neck relief.

 

[B String]

Sometimes a string can be put on just slightly twisted. This can certainly effect the strings vibration. On the rare occasion this happens I just loosen the string enough to easily reorient itself. Works for me.