Bone nuts & saddles

[evenkeel]

Not a lot to add but as a "acoustic guy" I feel obliged to jump in.

Like wingsdad I replaced a nut on a old Guild. In my case the mid 70's D35 in my sig. Replaced it with Tusq and it made a big difference. Much better mid range, bit of a improvement in the bass and better volume. But, the existing nut had been messed with. On my Martin D2R the previous owner had goofed the saddle up. I called Martin and they sent me (no charge) the spec micarta saddle. Again a big difference.

My experience is replacing even a good fitting plastic saddle with proper bone or Tusq will be an improvement. Bridge pins and nuts less so.

A interesting test is to drop a plastic saddle or bridge pin on a hard table top, then do the same with Tusq or bone. Plastic will make a thawp kind of sound, the Tusq or bone will ping like a bell. Gives you a sense of the sonic difference.

[tot_Ou_tard]

Thanks for the replies!

You've brought up a question that I had.

What if the nut is Tusq?

In that case would the answer be leave it unless there are issues?

The opinion seems to be that Tusq is as good as bone.

How about rosewood saddles vs bone saddles on an archtop?

[evenkeel]

Thanks for the replies!

You've brought up a question that I had.

What if the nut is Tusq?

In that case would the answer be leave it unless there are issues?

The opinion seems to be that Tusq is as good as bone.

How about rosewood saddles vs bone saddles on an archtop?

Tusq vs. bone??? Hard to say, sort of Beatles vs. Stones. Both great but different. I've never done a side by side by side evaluation. People with better ears than mine would agree with spt. I think they are very close.