Steel vs brass saddles on a telecaster?

BoneDigger · #1 02-25-2023, 06:11 PM

Do you have a preference and can you hear a difference? Some say brass makes for a more mellow tone and steel is more twangy. Thoughts? Is it worth the upgrade?

thepinkpanther · #2 02-25-2023, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoneDigger

Do you have a preference and can you hear a difference? Some say brass makes for a more mellow tone and steel is more twangy. Thoughts? Is it worth the upgrade?

You got it right. brass will mellow the tone out. Steel is much brighter. I’ve had both, and currently using steel (is real).

Try both and when you purchase, get them compensated.

You will know what you prefer and you’ll likely notice the difference.

schoolie · #3 02-25-2023, 07:46 PM

I like the sound of steel on the A/E strings and brass on the rest.

Brent Hutto · #4 02-25-2023, 08:20 PM

I doubt very much I would be able to hear any differences in saddles due to the type of metal. As long as they don't buzz or rattle and as long as they let me precisely set intonation and action I'm good with whatever material.

Pine Cone · #5 02-26-2023, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brent Hutto

I doubt very much I would be able to hear any differences in saddles due to the type of metal. As long as they don't buzz or rattle and as long as they let me precisely set intonation and action I'm good with whatever material.

You might want to listen to this comparison video, a comparison of brass, steel, graphtech and aluminum.

https://youtu.be/9GOSVu-NeAQ
I like brass.

guitararmy · #6 02-26-2023, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schoolie

I like the sound of steel on the A/E strings and brass on the rest.

Bill Crook also does this, it was in the description of a tele he recently sold…

FrankHudson · #7 02-28-2023, 07:51 PM

Like some other guitar spec things, I've heard a difference and think there's a difference. I also think that in the great scheme of things it's a small difference. I have and have had Teles with steel, brass, and Graph Tech's stuff. In some cases I've swapped out the saddles to what's currently on them and I thought there was a timbre difference.

But -- It not all that definitive nor heard all the time given the various ways you might use an electric guitar. All the Teles I have sound good to me in different ways. My current steel saddle Tele has P90s, and it's not my brightest sounding Tele. I have brass saddles on a 52 RI body and corresponding of pickups with a swapped neck, but it has thicker flat wound strings on it and it's generally the darkest. My older Nashville Tele with Fender 52 pickups has the same vintage saddles/bridge as the 52 RI too and it's a very nice sounding middle of the road Tele tone. My Fat Thinline Nashville has a Fender Nocaster bridge PU, and the Graph Tech compensated Tusq saddles and it's the brightest of what I have now.

To generalize I tend to like the traditional 3 barrel brass saddles on a Tele, but I'm not fixated on it. Swapping one of the traditional bridges between steel and brass saddles is easy and cheap.

dilver · #8 02-28-2023, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schoolie

I like the sound of steel on the A/E strings and brass on the rest.

Me too. A little more snap with a steel barrel for the E and A strings.

BoneDigger · #9 02-28-2023, 11:37 PM

Thanks everyone! I am considering it for my HH tele. I already have plenty of twang from my standard SS teles, so this one I'm looking for more warmth. I was thinking brass saddles are fairly cheap for an upgrade, so why not?

SalFromChatham · #10 03-04-2023, 03:15 AM

Bone,

I did this on my CV Tele. I got GOTOH compensated brass saddles. I can’t say I felt more warmth after? But I liked the look! I think it’s a nice upgrade, and inexpensive.

rollypolly · #11 03-06-2023, 03:00 PM

I've had a few teles over the years so I can't remember which had brass compensated saddles from the factory, but I believe I upgraded my 69 reissue with them. Anyways, I like that they're fully compensated. I don't think I heard a difference in tone. Intonation is better though.

davidd · #12 03-07-2023, 08:22 AM

I have both. It's a situation where we mainly hear with our eyes. There are tone knobs on guitars and amps for a reason.

TobyB · #13 03-08-2023, 08:55 AM

Any difference is way too subtle for my ears where I have taken the opportunity to try steel, brass, titanium ... never tried nylon which I could believe to be more significant... but even then, in a blind test I suspect I wouldn't be able to tell a saddle change from a tweaked tone or volume knob ...

dnf777 · #14 03-15-2023, 04:48 PM

For me, I cant honestly A/B for subtle differences after an hour has elapsed between trials, and then cant go back and forth. I did upgrade my Isbell telecaster to Bensonite compensated saddles, and despite a hefty price tag ($55 saddles, screws, springs only) Im happy overall. I *think* it intonated better, but the biggest advantage was the comfort when resting palm on bridge. The strings and set screws are recessed, so they dont dig into your hand. While I wont upgrade my other teles, I may trim the set screws so they dont protrude.