Unofficial Taylor Guitar Forum - UTGF
Lessons, Recordings, How Tos, Repair, Accessories => Lessons, Recordings, How Tos, Repair, Accessories => Topic started by: SkyHigh on May 29, 2016, 12:22:58 AM
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I have owned my share of high end guitar and various materials for saddle.
It seems sometimes bone is too clean sounding...too much note separation...or lacks warmth. For some reason Tusq/Marcarta saddle works better at times.
Any of you prefer Mircarta to bone?
Cheers!
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My 2013 FLTD has a Micarta saddle that was intended to support the ES2 system, which had just been introduced. All my other Taylors have bone saddles. I have no intention of switching to bone on this guitar as it sounds every bit as good as the rest of the herd.
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I'm not a huge fan of Mircarta but understand why it's being used as it's a good alternative to bone. That being said, if you can get the real thing, why settle for less? My luthier always carves a new saddle out of bone. Obviously, he's a traditional builder with extra reserves of real bone and antlers, he's acquired over the years. It's kind of crazy. So, I like the sustainability of mircarta. I'm not opposed to using Mircarta providing the guitar is setup properly.
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I generally don't switch out nuts and saddles from the OEM version. I figure they chose that material for a reason. If it ain't broke, dont fix it. Years later when new ones are needed due to wear or updating a setup, I might try bone or something else at that time.
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I just switched out the standard (compensated 'B') Tusq saddle in my 416ce to Taylor's Micarta "Wave" saddle. While the change was originally intended to improve intonation, I found the Micarta brought some warmth to the tone. It does a nice job of rounding off the high frequency harshness that tends to be prevalent with the Ovangkol/Sitka combo of the 400 series, making the voice more balanced.
ETA: I've tried bone in my '02 Coco/Sitka 814c and that guitar just sounds better with the original Tusq. OTOH, my experience tells me that bone works very well with larger bodied Rosewood and Koa guitars.
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Any of you prefer Mircarta to bone?
Yes, I do, for my AE stage guitar. Much more consistent across all strings.