Taylor Guitar Nuts and Saddles: Tusq/Micarta vs. Bone?

[lovgren]

2017 Taylor 814ce with Adirondack top. Replaced saddle with bone. Removed the "thud" sound and exceptional overall improvement. I upgraded for durability (stock saddle was becoming grooved). Sonic improvement was a very nice additional benefit. Highly recommend bone saddles for Taylor solid-wood series guitars.

[JackB1]

I think when comparing different saddle materials, it's important to make sure saddle heights are identical, if you upgrade your saddle and then sand it down some to improve action, you may lost a little tone by removing material from your saddle.

[JackB1]

So much confusion about saddles and Taylor's.

I have heard that the stock Micarta saddle is the best due to it's consistency and for usage with the under saddle ES2 pickup system.

Also heard that bone is better since it's used in Taylors really high end models.

So what's the ultimate answer? If you prefer bone, where did you get yours from? I you prefer micarta...why?

thanks

[martingitdave]

I’ve had a lot of Taylor’s and have experimented with saddle materials on the new models with ES2. The new Micarta they ship with sounds the best to my ears. Harder materials like bone seem to make the Taylors sound more bright and articulate. But, I find their voicing is already inherently bright and articulate. So, the man made materials are warmer sounding. Moreover, they seem more consistent with respect to use with pickups.

[Shades of Blue]

I'm pretty sure Taylor uses TUSQ because it plays better with their ES Systems.

[Ed-in-Ohio]

Originally Posted by JackB1

So much confusion about saddles and Taylor's.

I have heard that the stock Micarta saddle is the best due to it's consistency and for usage with the under saddle ES2 pickup system.

Also heard that bone is better since it's used in Taylors really high end models.

So what's the ultimate answer? If you prefer bone, where did you get yours from? I you prefer micarta...why?

thanks

I believe Taylor uses Micarta saddles on even their very high end guitars.

[martingitdave]

Originally Posted by Shades of Blue

I'm pretty sure Taylor uses TUSQ because it plays better with their ES Systems.

They are using a TUSQ nut and a newly formulated Micarta saddle.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Ed-in-Ohio

I believe Taylor uses Micarta saddles on even their very high end guitars.

that may be true

also...Taylor offers a "bone saddle/nut upgrade" on their website for $99.
I don't think they would do that unless it was an improvement.

[bluesfreek]

One of the reasons I bought my Sigma 000M-1ST is because it comes with a bone nut and (compensated) bone saddle already installed from the factory. No need to upgrade! The guitar sounds awesome! For a $350 guitar I think getting a bone nut and saddle from the factory is fantastic.

[Orphan]

Dumb question here, from where does the bone material originate?

[Tnfiddler]

Ordered my Colosi bone saddle and bridge pins today for the W10ce! Can't wait to see if there's a noticeable difference! Ill let you know when it's all done and I've got some playing time with it!

[Orphan]

Originally Posted by Orphan

Dumb question here, from where does the bone material originate?

Never mind, Bob Colosi's site says Chinese cow or ox. I should have just looked before hand.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Orphan

Dumb question here, from where does the bone material originate?

it's usually cow bone

[L20A]

Originally Posted by seamusknives

I've had my Taylor 616 ( no electronics) now for a few months. The factory setup is good but can be improved on for fingerstyle, I think. I'm considering lowering the action just a bit by replacing the original micarta saddle with a new, slightly lower saddle. The consensus seems to be that Taylor uses the micarta saddle mostly to benefit their electronics due to it's consistency and density properties. Since I purposely went against the more common trend and have no electronics, would a bone saddle be an improvement?

My wife has a 1991 510 with the pin less bridge.
She had a USP installed about a year after she got the guitar.
A few years ago I removed the pick up and installed a new bone saddle.
WOW! What an improvement.
I'm not sure which factor was most responsible for this, the removal of the USP or the replacement of the saddle.
Which ever it was, the guitar benefited greatly form the change.