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For a custom shop bass , I shouldn't have any issues...

#81
2saddleslab said:
Yep, ya'll need to increase your fiber intake. While over decades the phenolic resin can [but not always] succumb to the pressures of the string tension these fiber saddles sound amazingly bright and work perfectly in their application. Plus, they are relatively cheap, come in a variety of colors & materials, as well as compensated bottoms to allow perfect action height.
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Also, the correct size right angle plug and making sure there's enough threaded sleeve outside the cup makes it all work perfectly.
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Annnnnd, now I need these for my "54".

Also, if anyone knows a good source for a single screw wood tug bar.........
 
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#83
Ghastly said:
They're not wood. I think they call it phenolic, or something, but they seem to be similar to dense/thick fiberglass. I would think they'd wear down and even strip their threads, too. Probably why they replaced them with metal saddles a few years later.
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If you look for pics of early P's, the phenolic saddles would warp and bend from the string pressure. I don't know how quickly that happened back then.

It might be that current parts made specially for this purpose are a bit stronger material to help prevent this from occurring?
 
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#84
mikeswals said:
If you look for pics of early P's, the phenolic saddles would warp and bend from the string pressure. I don't know how quickly that happened back then.

I might be that current parts made specially for this purpose are a bit stronger material to help prevent this from occurring?
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That's correct but those pics are of 70 yo basses. I don't think contemporary versions are made of newer material. It's mostly wood, paper, or linen fibers set in a phenolic resin. Which was once known as Bakelite. I keep an extra set for each bass w/ these saddles but doubt I'll ever need the 2nd set in my lifetime.

We typically hear w/ our eyes, me included, thinking these would sound dull and possibly reducing high end. But I was surprised how much they sound similar to steel or brass saddles.
 
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#86
mikeswals said:
If you look for pics of early P's, the phenolic saddles would warp and bend from the string pressure. I don't know how quickly that happened back then.

I might be that current parts made specially for this purpose are a bit stronger material to help prevent this from occurring?
Click to expand...
1771610770235.jpeg
 
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#88
2saddleslab said:
Yes you do! :smug:
Here's the contact info:
[email protected]
Evan Webb
Webbteca Musical Industries
2653 Lakewood Drive
Columbus Ohio 43231

Let me see if I can find a source for the single screw tug bar.
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Excellent....although I already ordered them from his ebay store (I think you linked to it earlier) before your post.
UntitledProject said:
Same guy that makes the phenolic saddles.
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Ah, OK. I checked his ebay store and there weren't any, I'll email him. Thanks so much!!
 
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#90
jd56hawk said:
Some people consider barrel plugs prone to failing.
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I am one of those people. I have a small community of folks I do bass repairs for, and the basses I used to own, and several of the basses from that community have all had their barrel jacks replaced with standard jacks in electrosockets. I don't see the regular jacks failing at anywhere near the rate of the barrel ones. They're heavy, they're unreliable, but what they do have going for them....

I haven't figured out yet.
 
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#91
mikeswals said:
If you look for pics of early P's, the phenolic saddles would warp and bend from the string pressure. I don't know how quickly that happened back then.

It might be that current parts made specially for this purpose are a bit stronger material to help prevent this from occurring?
Click to expand...
If the original saddles were unreinforced bakelite, that material would likely warp over time. Reinforced phenolic (where you see the cloth fibers) is a composite material (like epoxy/fiberglas or carbon fiber composite) where the plastic or glue is used to hold the fibers together, and the fibers provide the tensile strength that resists external forces.

The company I worked for was founded in the 1920's and a lot of our test fixtures were made with reinforced phenolic - when I first saw them, I though "how antiquated", but...over time, i realized just how good a material it was for certain uses. When you see a fixture that has been in daily service for 60 years, and still works great...ya gotta respect that. Phenolic typically uses fibers that are less likely to scratch other things (like the product) as well - something you can't say for fiberglas or carbon fiber composites.
 
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#92
micguy said:
but...over time, i realized just how good a material it was for certain uses. When you see a fixture that has been in daily service for 60 years, and still works great...ya gotta respect that.
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Absolutely! I've had two late 60s Mustangs with manual transmissions and the stock shift knobs were reinforced bakelight. After decades of use, it's still a tough item and still feels good in the hand, loved the way it still looks too.
 
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#93
Well, after alot of trials, I feel like giving up. I replaced the plug with the Neutrik plug, the jack with the Pure Tone output jack... and while the plug no longer falls out, AND I can unplug my cord with the amp still turned on, without any noise... I still get the terrible, random bursts of noise while playing certain strings. Also, other strings are very quiet. I really don't understand this problem, but it all instantly goes away when I play any of my other basses. Im really bummed. Maybe I should just cut my losses and be happy with what I already have... 🤷
 
#95
Iridescentone said:
Yeah check that first. If the straight plug works then that cup doesn't like your 90 cable end. I see a possible work around, but you shouldn't have to have a DIY project on a new bass. Isn't that cup supposed to have two tiny wood screws holding it in place?...or were Fender not doing that in the earliest days? Seems I recall my '55 and '57 had the little screws. Where's that TB guy with all the old P basses, he prob knows for sure. Good luck.
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The old cups had clips on the inside, like a tele
 
#100
2saddleslab said:
Yes you do! :smug:
Here's the contact info:
[email protected]
Evan Webb
Webbteca Musical Industries
2653 Lakewood Drive
Columbus Ohio 43231

Let me see if I can find a source for the single screw tug bar.
Click to expand...

So I got the saddles a while ago but just now ready to install them. Quick question - should I put a notch or groove into the saddle for the string to sit/rest in, or will the string tension be enough to hold them in place? I'm not heavy handed.
 
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