Graph Tech Strat String-Saver

Bought for strat project guitar, 2nd time around with these. I tried them about 10 years ago, same quality, same product, and same results (unfortunately....see below). Quality of product is consistent though, and website it very informative on what they offer and how to select the right saddles for your guitar.

"Zingy". That is the problem.....I had them 10 years ago and the same result, "zingy". Perhaps one of the user reviews below is correct in that these increase oscillation and therefore, fret buzz which results in raising action. I had to raise mine to the point where it did not feel comfortable playing but got rid of some of the "zing". They claim on the website that you will lose the "2k frequency spike that metal saddles give you", but you get overall higher frequency response. These DO CHANGE YOUR TONE...no doubt about it. For me, they just don't work. In addition to that, I tried them with a set of EMG's this time, and it's just "crisp city", not the warm and round tone I want in a strat. Yes, EMG's can be part of this equation also, but I know the "zingy" factor of String Saver saddles is the same from my memory bank 10 years ago, and I don't like it. They are coming off, and putting back on the old nickel plated saddles. And the EMG's are coming off as well for passive setup. I like warm tones, not "zingy" tones. To their credit, the string savers do reduce breakage and increase use of tremolo without going out of tune, but you can simply lube your regular metal saddles and nut with vaseline or graphite (I like a combination mixture of both) and achieve the same result. Luthiers have been doing this for years before these saddles came along. Tube of graphite powder at your local hardware store and a small jar of Vaseline will cost you less than five bucks and last a lifetime, sting savers will cost you 40-50 bucks and change your tone drastically, and not for the better, that's my opinion.

Features? Bwahahahahahahahahaha...... ok. These are teflon saddles...replacements for the strat saddles. You know....I guess for saddles, they ARE pretty feature laden..they do what a saddle is supposed to do...PLUS excrete teflon while your strings rub against them...yayyyyyy. Sounds kinda icky....but, no. Just kidding... there is nothing goopy or gross that ends up on your guitar. They seem to be durable, reduce string breakage, with no noticeable tone loss. Lets give those frisky Graph tech Canadians a hand. A solid 9 for features on an easily ignored guitar accessory...Hoo-rah.

Suits my musical style perfectly. Cuz I bend the living krapola outta my strings :)
Put these guys on a Fender AM standard strat...stock p/u's with a Dimarzio HS-3 in the bridge. I actually bought these to make my sound warmer and rounder...did it succeed? You know... I don't notice any real difference. I figured after changing out the steel saddles to a softer material, it would lose some of the ping and bright attack. At least I was hoping...grrrrr...Anyway, it had no adverse effect...just seems the same. Graph tech claims more sustain...did not notice that either. Everything seems about the same. I have only installed these on the treble register strings (G-B-E)...not the basses...for the very reasson that I wanted to keep the attack on the bottom 3...while smoothing out the trebles more. Sigh...oh well..no biggie. They do what they say they will do...keep yer garsh-durned strings frum breakin' !!

Action...well....I set my height adjustments the same..no difference from the original in feel or playability. Kewl....I will rate this as doing the job of the original with improvements over breakage. 10. Fo-sho....

Look and feel solid for a non-steel accessory...I can't imagine having any problem with these. I feel I can depend on it...I DO have backups...especially since I have only installed 3 of the six I was shipped. Man. I'm gonna be butt deep in teflon for yeeers..hmmmm

Dunno..dunno... dunno. Did I mention I do not know? Hopefully won't find out.

Been playing like...23 long ass years. Play Les Paul,strat,tele,yamaha, etc. This really does what it says it will do...I guess I'm always looking for a way to get my sound smoother...I was hoping this would get me closer to that..if there is any loss of trebles here..I'm not hearing it....and I switched the treble saddles in my Les Paul as well...don't hear it there either.Blech.
Really...both guitars sound pretty damn good...I suppose I need to die and be reincarnated as the metalhead version of Eric Johnson to get what I want....oh well! Can't rate these low. They do exactly as claimed...just don't expect a huge shift in tone...if you are afraid of losing your tone..try them out. I don't think u wil notice much of a difference.The only caveat I have is to adjust your technique a bit if you play on a tune-o-matic...I bent my string right off the saddle on my Les Paul...probably because it was just too slippery..not a bad thing...just guess I was not expecting it.
Happy I changed to these!

I play an American Fender strat with a Warmoth replacement neck- Brazilian rosewood with Jumbo frets. Schaller Locking Tuners, graphTech nut, Fender Texas Specials pickups- strings are Ernie's 11-54 gauge. I play through Fender vibroverb and blues junior amps-

I replaced the stock saddles when I started upgrade the stock strat into my own creation. I did hear a change and notice an increase in sustain - however I replaced the nut/ string tree / saddles all at the same time- so I don't know the exact difference just the saddles made. But wow this is great- it takes a forever for my guitar to go out of tune- I have not broken a string (I bend/ and whammy alot) in the last 2yrs since I made these upgrades- The combination of the Tuners, nut , saddles really improved the playability of my guitar...

They went on with no problems- they fir my Fender bridge perfect- I was afraid they might space funny or they would have to be sanded down to fit- but they went right on. I used to play with some High action and they raised just fine- but I lowered my action and no problems

No problems here- the intonate perfect, and not one break at the saddle

Their website has a 45 day guarantee- but I think you have to order them direct-

If you are a strat player with a active string bending/ whammy style- locking tuners- a nice nut (locking/roller/ or sometning other than a sucky stock) and these saddles really REALLY makes a difference in staying in tune and string life/ sound (minor but its nice as far as sustain and a slightly warmer sound)- I have given lessons to young kids that have the worst guitars ever- cheap Squires/ Fenders/ Washburns/ Ibaneze you name it- and when they really start to hate their guitars and don't have money to buy something better- I tell them about replacing the nut and saddles- it really does make a big diffence-

I play an american standard strat (American series) rose wood finger board. I also use the new fender twin amp and also a Tech 21 trademark 60 amp.

I play Jazz fusion, R&B and some blues. I use Boss GT-8. I placed the graph tech saddles in my guitar a week ago. Well, the tone definitely changed. To me it sound somewhat beef up with a little more highs. Fatter with a litle more highs. I did not want to change my original tone, but I think this new tone sounds ok. To compare it to the original tone it would be like apples and oranges. I do like it. For my taste I need a warm sound, so I had to adjust my amp and effects a bit, not much, just lower the highs a little. I saved the old saddle just in case I feel like going back to them.

Have yet to find out.

No reason to contact graphtech, not yet at least

I have been playing for 25 years. I kinda like them. I probably would replace them if lost of stolen.

Features? They're saddles. They hold strings. 2 screws for adjustment, 1 for intonation.

This is why I am writing this review. I didn't buy these to enhance the string life of my guitar (which happens to be a G&L Legacy). Rather, I got these due to the claims of increased sustain and better tone. Well, perhaps the sustain increased a little, it is kind of hard to tell. There was plenty on tap before. The tone however has changed big time. I should make one thing clear before I continue. G&L's have solid brass machined saddles with a chrome finish on them so they are pretty top quality. They have a nice fast attack to them and keep the tone nice and snappy. They also help out the twang factor which is important to me. The graphtech's gave this instrument a smoother tone with a rounder attack, less distinct attack. While I can see this being beneficial to some guitars, it is not doing this one any favors. I have had them on for 24 hours and I am taking them off after I finish this review. I guess it is all a matter of taste however. I like the bite that a metal saddle provides and I can deal with a little less sustain, even though I don't think that it is much. If you have an icepick sounding guitar these might do the trick for you.

They are as good in this department as any other quality saddle.

These won't last as long as a metal saddle since they are constructed out of some sort of polymer compound but I am sure they would last at least 3-4 years of heavy playing. I didn't have them on long enough to comment on how long the strings last in them. I have only broke strings 1 or twice on this guitar with the G&L saddles though.

Couldn't tell you. They have a website with about as much info as anyone would need though. I can't imagine why you would need customer support for saddles though. If you can't figure out how they go on then you probably need to lay off the drugs or booze.

I've played guitar 11 years. I've owned a lot of instruments and amps during this time but I have sold everything except the bare essentials. I have my G&L Legacy with some sweet Van Zandt Blues pickups and a great old Traynor Mark III tube amp from the 70's. Aside from that I have a few pedals and that about covers it. I like to keep things simple and I am all about getting the biggest bang for the buck. In this case, despite the cheap price of these, they didn't do anything that I was looking for. But on the contrary, at least I don't have to wonder if there is any extra mojo locked away inside these saddles as the hype might have one believe. They don't suck, I just don't like how they sound on my guitar. If you want a smoother, warmer, perhaps sweeter tone with less attack, try some out. I wouldn't recommend them if you like to play country or rockabilly though. You will loose the bite/twang that defines that style. Same if you need to keep your bass notes as tight as possible.