Members Misha Posted December 30, 2009 Members Share Posted December 30, 2009 My beloved OM-03 will get its crack fixed next week. I really love the sound of it and I'm wondering if I should bone it or not? (Bone saddle, bone nut.) Will it just add sustain or cut the mids and make it maybe too bright??? By the way, this is the luthier that will do the repair. The video is in French (unfortunately) but I'm sure some of you will appreciate his skills and guitars. He says it takes 300-400 hours to build a classical guitar. 600-700 for a Jazz guitar!!! I think I'm in good hands for the repair! [YOUTUBE]6bQyEW8pjj8&feature=player_embedded#[/YOUTUBE] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Glenn F Posted December 30, 2009 Members Share Posted December 30, 2009 I'd go for it, Misha. Actually, an OM-03R has made my short list for my next guitar, and I will have my luthier put in a bone nut and saddle. OTOH, if you are happy with how it sounds now, leave it as is. Cheers, Glenn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DeepEnd Posted December 30, 2009 Members Share Posted December 30, 2009 As you undoubtedly know, your new Larriv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mjuenem Posted December 30, 2009 Members Share Posted December 30, 2009 I really love the sound of it and I'm wondering if I should bone it or not? (Bone saddle, bone nut.) If you truly love the sound, don't change it.However:I would ask the luthier about saving the old saddle and nut and what it would cost to have them re-installed in case you don't like the change. That way you can always get back to the same sound. :poke:(And sell the old/new nut and saddle to Glenn at a profit!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TN.Frank Posted December 30, 2009 Members Share Posted December 30, 2009 Yep, to echo what other's have said. If it sounds good to you then don't mess with it. TusQ is as good if not better(more consistant) then bone so you won't really get much other then saying "I've got a bone nut and saddle" from doing it. If it ain't broke don't fix it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members gitmo Posted December 30, 2009 Members Share Posted December 30, 2009 Why not have a bone saddle made by the tech/luthier and keep the Tusq if it's still good. You can switch between the two to see which you like better. I've read the bone sounds "different" but have no experience on the matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TN.Frank Posted December 30, 2009 Members Share Posted December 30, 2009 Why not have a bone saddle made by the tech/luthier and keep the Tusq if it's still good. You can switch between the two to see which you like better. I've read the bone sounds "different" but have no experience on the matter. That sounds like a plan since it's pretty easy to switch out a saddle. That way if you don't care for the sound you can slip the stock one back in place. If you do like the sound then you can spring for getting the nut done too. Great idea Gitmo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Misha Posted December 30, 2009 Author Members Share Posted December 30, 2009 Why not have a bone saddle made by the tech/luthier and keep the Tusq if it's still good. You can switch between the two to see which you like better. I've read the bone sounds "different" but have no experience on the matter. Hummm! Seems like a good idea! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GuitarVlog Posted December 30, 2009 Members Share Posted December 30, 2009 Why not have a bone saddle made by the tech/luthier and keep the Tusq if it's still good. You can switch between the two to see which you like better. +1 As many kudos as Tusq gets, it's still not used on the higher-end instruments. It's consistency is of a greater advantage in guitars that use an under the saddle pickup for amping. As I recall, your Larrivee does not have one. I have carved bone saddles for all of my guitars and I like the results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rjoxyz Posted December 30, 2009 Members Share Posted December 30, 2009 Why not have a bone saddle made by the tech/luthier and keep the Tusq if it's still good. You can switch between the two to see which you like better. I've read the bone sounds "different" but have no experience on the matter. And, I believe any noticeable difference in tone will be mostly attributable to the saddle. I have substituted bone saddles for TUSQ on some guitars and sometimes notice a difference, but not always. Never felt the need for the expense of a bone nut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Hudman Posted December 31, 2009 Members Share Posted December 31, 2009 You can buy a buy saddle directly from Larrivee. They come stock on the 05 and up series guitars. It's a drop in replacement. I would leave the stock nut alone because the nut has little effect on the tone. You will save a lot of money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Guitar Hack Posted December 31, 2009 Members Share Posted December 31, 2009 As you undoubtedly know, your new Larriv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guildfire Posted December 31, 2009 Members Share Posted December 31, 2009 I would stick with your stock set up. If you like, why change? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kwakatak Posted December 31, 2009 Members Share Posted December 31, 2009 Do it, Misha. You should even do the saddle yourself and save a little money and gain some experience. That's the first thing I did with my OM-03R because the guitar sounded like it was stuffed with socks. It made a big difference in sustain and clarity. I had a bone nut put in porfessionally about a year ago and while there wasn't much difference tonally I just wanted rid of that cheap-looking tusq nut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BLUtunes Posted December 31, 2009 Members Share Posted December 31, 2009 Well, I own an OM-03 and I did have my luthier change to a bone nut and saddle, and I would say that it was a significant upgrade in tone (having heard the guitar both ways). As others have mentioned, the nut doesn't really help much, so you can save a few bucks there if you want. Personally, I just wanted them both to match, and considered that more of a cosmetic upgrade than a tonal upgrade. But, if mine got destroyed and I got another OM-03, I'd do the upgrade without a second thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RKO Posted December 31, 2009 Members Share Posted December 31, 2009 Giggity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members axegrinder77 Posted December 31, 2009 Members Share Posted December 31, 2009 i had bone put in to replace the tusq on my d03. there is definitely a difference, so anyone who tells you otherwise is full of it. better or worse is subjective, but i found it added clarity and higher frequencies. had the saddle and pins replaced. i haven't plugged in yet however, so i don't know what kind of effect it has on the under-saddle baggs pickup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members scud133 Posted December 31, 2009 Members Share Posted December 31, 2009 hmm thread title left a weird picture in my head Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Misha Posted December 31, 2009 Author Members Share Posted December 31, 2009 I emailed the luthier to know how it would cost for a new bone nut and a new bone saddle. It should be around 60$ CAD/each... (Including the materials??? Not sure.) I hope the luthier will be available next week to work on my guitar. Maybe not. The guy is allowed to take a vacation too! I could not reach him today... If it's 120$ or less, taxes included, I might go for it. I'm still not sure. I decided that I would work less in 2010. I did a lot of overtime last year, maybe 500 hours and I got very tired... I have good gears now. I don't want to buy more in 2010, just use what I have and become a better player. I just want to have to pay for my lessons and setups. Maybe upgrades, but no more new toys! It's time to play! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Misha Posted December 31, 2009 Author Members Share Posted December 31, 2009 hmm thread title left a weird picture in my head I got your attention didn't I??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kwakatak Posted December 31, 2009 Members Share Posted December 31, 2009 I emailed the luthier to know how it would cost for a new bone nut and a new bone saddle. It should be around 60$ CAD/each... (Including the materials??? Not sure.)I hope the luthier will be available next week to work on my guitar. Maybe not. The guy is allowed to take a vacation too! I could not reach him today...If it's 120$ or less, taxes included, I might go for it. I'm still not sure. I decided that I would work less in 2010. I did a lot of overtime last year, maybe 500 hours and I got very tired... I have good gears now. I don't want to buy more in 2010, just use what I have and become a better player. I just want to have to pay for my lessons and setups. Maybe upgrades, but no more new toys! It's time to play! I could see paying that much for the nut, but the saddle is definitely something you can do on your own. I ordered mine from Bob Colosi and guitarsaddles.com for about $25 ($20 + shipping) then I spent another $5 at the local hardware store getting sandpaper. The saddle came with detailed instructions on what to do. It took me about 45 minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Misha Posted December 31, 2009 Author Members Share Posted December 31, 2009 I could see paying that much for the nut, but the saddle is definitely something you can do on your own. I ordered mine from Bob Colosi and guitarsaddles.com for about $25 ($20 + shipping) then I spent another $5 at the local hardware store getting sandpaper. The saddle came with detailed instructions on what to do. It took me about 45 minutes. Maybe it's cheaper than 60$ each, Kwak. I'm waiting for the price list. I could try to do it myself but I'm not a handy person at all... For 30-40$, I will just pay the difference. Also, keep in mind that in Canada, everything is always more expensive than in the States! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members OldGuitarPlayer Posted December 31, 2009 Members Share Posted December 31, 2009 Hi Misha, My tech/luthier guy made me a bone nut and saddle for an old Yamaha I had and it cost me $55 for the nut and $35 for the saddle including materials. Also, my tech had the work done in less than 24 hours. That is why he is the BEST in Ottawa. He works out of the Ottawa Folklore Centre. http://www.ottawafolklore.com/ His website: http://www.magma.ca/~musicdoc/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Misha Posted December 31, 2009 Author Members Share Posted December 31, 2009 Thank's for your link, OGP. I'm pretty sure the nut was around 60$. Not sure for the saddle. Maybe it's 20$ cheaper but if I plan on spending more, I'll be happy to learn that it is in fact less expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Hudman Posted December 31, 2009 Members Share Posted December 31, 2009 Misha, don't order a bone saddle from Colosi. Order it from Larrivee. It will be perfectly shaped and ready to drop in. Best part, it will be less than half of what Colosi charges. I went 3 ways on bone saddles for Larrivee guitars: I made my own from a bone blank. I ordered one from Colosi. I ordered one from Larrivee. Making your own saddle from a blank takes time and patience. The Colosi bone saddle was great but it required a bit of sanding to get it to fit in the saddle slot. The Larrivee saddle dropped in and fit perfectly. I sanded a bit off the bottom to get it the right height. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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