Anyone with aftermarket saddle exp.

[bighuk]

I'm want to buy a new saddle and bridge pins for my Martin DR. It has a compensated tusq saddle and plastic bridge pins. I'm thinking about getting both in bone. Do you think this would be an improvement over the stock saddle as far as tone quality? I really don't have the money at the moment for a fossil walrus bone saddle at the moment and It's a lower end martin which is kind of hard to justify the money for it. I plan on buying an hd28 or so in a year. My tusq saddle has formed grooves where the strings sit on the lower g/b/e strings that makes it tune crazy. Also, if you have a bone saddle have you noticed it forming grooves? If so does elepahant ivory or walrus ivory do this? Sorry for the lengthy thrown together post.

thanks,
cj

[jsgksu]

I could be wrong, but would that make it too bright? Bone saddle and pins.

[T714]

your best options, for your guitar, is a nice set of walrus bridge pins and a walrus saddle. very easy to install. the sound from this combination is warm and clear, with nice bell-like overtones. plastic saddles (such as tusq or micarta) do not transfer sound as purely, and over time, form grooves in the saddle that causes string breakage.

i would also recommend a walrus or elephant ivory nut on your guitar. however, the disadvantage with a nut is that it must be professionally installed. so, my best advice is to start with a walrus saddle and bridge pins, which a very user friendly and very easy to install.

the cheapest prices and best product on the web today for these materials is http://www.guitarsaddles.com , Bob is the man his merchandise was praised in the recent edition of acoustic guitar magazine.

[bighuk]

Unfortunately at the moment I am in no position to spend 200$ on guitar components. I really can't justify spending that much on this guitar when i'm just going to be using it as my beater/live guitar when I get a very high end larrivee or Martin Dread. The guitar is a low end Martin that has laminated sides and back. When I get a new guitar I definately plan on getting all Fossilized Walrus components for it though. I do need a new saddle and the bridge pins would definately be better than plastic so, I think i'm going to try the bone in both products with some ebony inlaid in the pins and see how they sound. And yes i'm definatley buying from guitarsaddles.com.