Source for saddle material for a Cargo?

[John P]

I picked up a new CA Cargo two years ago. The saddle has always been sloppy in the bridge slot, i.e. the top of the saddle can move ~1/32" in the bridge-nut direction. I tried contacting CA a couple times (before they folded) and never got a response. I'd like to make a better fitting saddle out of thicker material than what is there now. Can anyone recommend a source for the same material that CA used? Also interested in folks' experience with alternate saddle materials in these guitars.

Fun little guitars. I'm playing mine more these days and would like to get it set up as best I can.

[gitnoob]

MacNichol stocks replacements:
http://macnichol.com/product/ca-guitars-saddle-blank

I seem to recall that they do require a bit of sanding to fit, so it may work for your application.

There was also a discussion on his board a while back about the OEM for those saddles (CA didn't make them).

I haven't tried any replacements, but I did have good luck with a replacement Graph Tech nut (their black "graphite" model).

[John P]

Hey thanks. Searching this site, I think I might have come across the thread that you are referring to.

[P_K]

you don't say if your cargo has a pick up or not. the element pick-up (you can download the manual on l.r.baggs website where it is explained) NEEDs the saddle to be leaning a bit towards the nut. it is not that is moves, rather than it has to have a bit of inclination on the low part of the saddle.

i think CA made this saddles for all their guitars, with or without electronics. wonderful guitar by the way

[rick-slo]

I'd just replace it with a bone saddle. I don't really care for the original saddle material.

[pikngrin]

Have you contacted Bob Colosi? He is a member (sponsor?) Here. He make custom saddles. I don't know if he works with the material that you are looking for, but he might have some info on where you can find it.
http://www.guitarsaddles.com/

[fulfillingsoul]

How does the bone saddle sound on a CA Cargo?

[Doubleneck]

I have found that the material CA originally had sounded the best and put it back in. Bone on a carbon to me just seems like a oxymoron.

[AndyFrank]

Originally Posted by gitnoob

MacNichol stocks replacements:
http://macnichol.com/product/ca-guitars-saddle-blank

I seem to recall that they do require a bit of sanding to fit, so it may work for your application.

There was also a discussion on his board a while back about the OEM for those saddles (CA didn't make them).

I haven't tried any replacements, but I did have good luck with a replacement Graph Tech nut (their black "graphite" model).

You link takes me to a log in page.

[mchalebk]

Originally Posted by AndyFrank

You link takes me to a log in page.

That post is over a year old, so the link isn't good anymore. I don't see the CA saddles listed anymore, though you could always contact MacNichol and see if they have any.

[Doubleneck]

If you can't find CA saddles, Tusq has a black version that would probably be close. I used it in a Rainsong to replace the white.

[Oakland]

Originally Posted by fulfillingsoul

How does the bone saddle sound on a CA Cargo?

I tried it. The brightness, compared to what they use, makes the Cargo sound like a little guitar to my ear. It breaks the illlusion of a full sized guitar in a tiny package.

[mhs]

Originally Posted by Oakland

I tried it. The brightness, compared to what they use, makes the Cargo sound like a little guitar to my ear. It breaks the illlusion of a full sized guitar in a tiny package.

I also agree with that assessment of the bone on the Cargo. I made three saddles the day I got mine years ago, one from the 2 blanks (carbon something) they shipped me with it, and 1 bone (basically a drop in Taylor) and 1 Tusq (another drop in).

The Tusq was hard to tell from the stock saddle, but the bone was terrible, strident sounding and a huge downgrade from whatever they ship it with.