Bone saddle and strings experiment on Taylor 414 CE

[Georgiaplayer]

I recently replaced the tusq saddle with bone from Bob Colosi on my 414.  I experimented and, without changing strings, tried both saddles on one after the other and played acoustically as well as amplified through a Fishman Mini.   To my ears the bone saddle did make a nice improvement so I will be keeping it on the guitar.   I have also been experimenting with a variety of strings from the Elixirs that came with the guitar, to Martin Phos/bronze, 80/20/, D'Addarios and John Pearse.   I just replaced a set of John Pearse light 80/20 with John Pearse medium Phos/bronze, and I believe I found a winner.  The tone is rich and woody, better lows and mids without sacrificing the highs and sounds very good for both flatpick playing and fingerpicking.  I play quite a bit so my fingers are ok with the heavier gauge strings.  I did like the Elixir Nanowebs, but the John Pearse mediums have a better tone in my opinion.  They won't last as long, but at $X.XX per set I can change them every month if needed.   I haven't been able to put the guitar down today.


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[Craig]

Interesting about the saddle, I've not tried changing mine but the  John Pearse PB mediums are my choice for all my guitars.

Craig

[Georgiaplayer]

The saddle was $25.00 plus shipping, so not a major investment in case I didn't like it.  There was enough of a pleasing difference to make me feel it was a good investment.  It doesn't make a huge difference, but even a small positive change is worth it. 

[asguitar1]

I have a 412ce that I replaced the saddle with a bone saddle from Bob Colosi and I am very pleased with the improved bass and note separation.  I once put the Tusq saddle back in as an experiment and was shocked how thin the guitar sounded. 

[Georgiaplayer]

I found the same thing.  It's fun experimenting and hearing the tonal changes.