#1
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Best saddle for Rainsong SG Shorty?
I just received a Rainsong SG from a member of the forum and it's a wonderful guitar! Just really pleased with it. The action is a bit high for my taste so I'm going to take the saddle height down. Before I do, I was wondering whether there was a better saddle material than the original tusq to try. The guitar sounds great with the tusq so if it ain't broke..... but I thought I'd at least ask.
Thanks! |
#2
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I cannot comment on the merits of various materials, as I've never changed the saddle or nut material on any of my guitars just trying for better / different tone. I have replaced worn or damages ones when necessary.
But I do have a hard and fast rule: Never mess with the original part. Start with a fresh blank and do the fitting. as needed That way you can always go back to square one easily. I learned this lesson the hard way..... |
#3
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I should also mention that the standard Taylor saddle is designed for a 16" radius, while the RainSong neck has a 20" radius. So your strings are going to be a little high in the middle. Lowering the height won't change that curvature. I have a Concert model whose dimensions are identical to your Shorty. I'm planning on having a bone saddle made for it as soon as I have a suitable alternate guitar to play while it's in the shop. That should fix the problem—I'm just hoping I like the sound of bone in an already bright guitar. If not, I'll probably try again with Micarta. Last edited by NoodleFingers; 01-20-2017 at 04:36 PM. Reason: added info |
#4
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__________________
Martin HD-28 Sunburst/Trance M-VT Phantom Martin D-18/UltraTonic Adamas I 2087GT-8 Ovation Custom Legend LX Guild F-212XL STD Huss & Dalton TD-R Taylor 717e Taylor 618e Taylor 614ce Larrivee D-50M/HiFi Larrivee D-40R Blue Grass Special/HiFi Larrivee D-40R Sunburst Larrivee C-03R TE/Trance M-VT Phantom RainSong BI-DR1000N2 Emerald X20 Yamaha FGX5 Republic Duolian/Schatten NR-2 |
#5
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__________________
Martin HD-28 Sunburst/Trance M-VT Phantom Martin D-18/UltraTonic Adamas I 2087GT-8 Ovation Custom Legend LX Guild F-212XL STD Huss & Dalton TD-R Taylor 717e Taylor 618e Taylor 614ce Larrivee D-50M/HiFi Larrivee D-40R Blue Grass Special/HiFi Larrivee D-40R Sunburst Larrivee C-03R TE/Trance M-VT Phantom RainSong BI-DR1000N2 Emerald X20 Yamaha FGX5 Republic Duolian/Schatten NR-2 |
#6
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Can anyone confirm that this is the right saddle? |
#7
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I do believe that is the one.
And BTW, I have tried a number of different saddles on my Rainsongs, and feel no need to switch from the factory installed Tusq saddles. I get the feeling that if there was a better option, Ashvin would be using them. |
#8
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My used Rainsong Black Ice Jumbo came with a bone saddle. I switched back once to the Tusq and I really don't think there was a difference worth commenting on. I kept the bone in because it was handmade and looked nicer, seemed to give me a better setup. The Tusq now seems to have vanished so my decision is made.
It is puzzling to me that Rainsong had a neck with a 20 inch radius and a Tusq saddle with a 16?
__________________
Steve 2020 McKnight Grand Recording - Cedar Top 2005 McKnight SS Dred 2001 Michael Keller Koa Baby 2014 Godin Inuk 2012 Deering B6 Openback Banjo 2012 Emerald Acoustic Doubleneck 2012 Rainsong JM1000 Black Ice 2009 Wechter Pathmaker 9600 LTD 1982 Yairi D-87 Doubleneck 1987 Ovation Collectors 1993 Ovation Collectors 1967 J-45 Gibson 1974 20th Annivers. Les Paul Custom |
#9
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Thanks all. I'm going to get a new saddle and sand it down.
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#10
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I think it makes a lot of sense for them to design their guitars to use a widely and easily available compensated saddle like the Tusq Taylor saddle. And I don't think the radius difference over the middle strings is large at all. As for why they chose a different radius, I think you'd have to ask Ashvin.
Last edited by NoodleFingers; 01-21-2017 at 11:57 AM. Reason: correction |
#11
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One thing I've noticed in most of my guitars, the frets are not precisely the same radius as the neck especially over time and normal wear the radius is altered. It's probably very difficult to keep a standard radius or a parallel radius if the guitar gets a lot of play. My Rainsong had a fret dressing after 1-1/2 years of 1-2 hours of daily play.
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vANCe 1976 Martin D-28(original owner) 1992 Taylor 420(original owner) 2012 RainSong H DR 1000(original owner) 2011 Gretsch Anniversary Model(original owner) Mandolin- 1920's A-Style (unknown brand) Mandolin- Fender Mandostrat Banjo -2016 Gold Tone EBM-5+ Fender 2013- Strat |
#12
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__________________
Steve 2020 McKnight Grand Recording - Cedar Top 2005 McKnight SS Dred 2001 Michael Keller Koa Baby 2014 Godin Inuk 2012 Deering B6 Openback Banjo 2012 Emerald Acoustic Doubleneck 2012 Rainsong JM1000 Black Ice 2009 Wechter Pathmaker 9600 LTD 1982 Yairi D-87 Doubleneck 1987 Ovation Collectors 1993 Ovation Collectors 1967 J-45 Gibson 1974 20th Annivers. Les Paul Custom |
#13
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If you call Dave he will give you the exact number but the saddle is a GraphTech and about 12.00. I ordered one and got it in about 2 weeks, thought I had the number written down but can't find it.
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#14
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__________________
Steve 2020 McKnight Grand Recording - Cedar Top 2005 McKnight SS Dred 2001 Michael Keller Koa Baby 2014 Godin Inuk 2012 Deering B6 Openback Banjo 2012 Emerald Acoustic Doubleneck 2012 Rainsong JM1000 Black Ice 2009 Wechter Pathmaker 9600 LTD 1982 Yairi D-87 Doubleneck 1987 Ovation Collectors 1993 Ovation Collectors 1967 J-45 Gibson 1974 20th Annivers. Les Paul Custom |