Members Justin Smith Posted October 5, 2007 Members Posted October 5, 2007 I've got a Rogue RA-100D that like pretty well for strumming around the house, but would like to get a little better tone from it for just a few bucks (No use sinking a lot of money into an $80 guitar). I though about adding a Tusq saddle and pre-slotted nut, but I am unsure of the sizes to buy. In order to make ordering easier, does anyone know if the Rogue uses the same size specs as another manufacturer? Thanks!
Members dhoenisch Posted October 5, 2007 Members Posted October 5, 2007 The only pre-slotted nuts I have ever seen were ones for electric guitars. Freeman Keller recently posted a few good reasons that a pre-slotted nut wouldn't really make sense, but I can't get the search function to work for me today. As for the saddle, to measure the width, you would need a caliper to measure the thickness of it. Even a cheap $5 one from a hardware store would be good enough. In my opinion though, with a bit of sandpaper and a cheap set of needle files (if you have, or want a compensated saddle), you can easily make your own saddle out of bone material for your guitar. It may take a couple of hours, but it's worth it. Here's what I did, taken from one of my recent posts: I have used a band saw to rough-cut bone. I use that, than hand sand it on a piece of 180-grit sand paper clamped to my worktop. To sand the height down, I'll just hold the piece of bone with both hands, and move it back and forth on the sandpaper. If I need to take the thickness down a bit, I use plain masking tape folded over on itself to a piece of hardwood, than stick the saddle to it, and just run it back and forth a few times until the thickness is where it should be. I try not to use my belt sander as it's easy to take too much material off. As for the compensating and crowning, I just use my needle files to get the result I want. Here's one that I made last year for my Squier with that process. Dan You really don't need to use any power tools. Bone isn't really that hard to shape. I've made saddles completely with nothng but sand paper and files. Hope this helps, Dan P.S. I just found the post from Freeman Keller on the pre-slotted nut subject. http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1750404
Members Freeman Keller Posted October 5, 2007 Members Posted October 5, 2007 As Dan has said, the nut needs to be fitted to the guitar, and IMHO, probably won't make much difference for all the work involved. The saddle will also have to be fitted, but you should be able to measure the lenght and width of the slot (use calipers if you can get a set, maybe a mechanic friend) or an accurate little steel rule. You should be able to order something close from Bob Colosi (google) - he might even know what size a Rogue will take. Bob's saddles require a little be of sanding on the bottom to get the action where you want it, but should be the correct shape on top. (they will be bone, not Tusq, if you want Tusq you'll have to get it from StewMac or something like that). Let me just add that all of my gits have bone saddles except my old Yamie which has the original plastic nut and saddle. Some folks on this forum think it sounds pretty good that way. btw - nice looking saddle Dan. Looks like some careful effort in the compensation
Members Justin Smith Posted October 5, 2007 Author Members Posted October 5, 2007 Thanks for your help guys! I think I'll shelve plans for a nut, unless I'm looking for a mid-winter project. I agree with Freeman that it probably wouldn't be worth it on a knock-around Rogue. I think I will go ahead and try to shape a saddle in the near future, especially since I've noticed that the plastic is chipping a little bit. Dan, that saddle looks sweet - I am impressed!
Members happy-man Posted October 5, 2007 Members Posted October 5, 2007 I would also agree with not bothering replacing the nut if there is no problem with it. You might want to call and ask local places that do set ups to see if they'll sell you a bone saddle blank. I got one this week for $5 which is cheaper than if I ordered one (because of shipping). And if I mess up I know where I can get another without having to re-order and wait for the mail. Another local place here sells pre-shapped tusk saddles for $9.95 which again I think is cheaper than mail-order when you consider shipping. Scott O
Members BrandonBrinley Posted October 5, 2007 Members Posted October 5, 2007 you can get tusq for cheaper i got my tusq saddle for $00.00
Members Freeman Keller Posted October 5, 2007 Members Posted October 5, 2007 you can get tusq for cheaper i got my tusq saddle for $00.00 And you can get as much bone as you want at a butcher shop for about the same price. I prefer to start with a 20 dollar saddle blank from Colosi or StewMac or LMI
Members BrandonBrinley Posted October 5, 2007 Members Posted October 5, 2007 And you can get as much bone as you want at a butcher shop for about the same price. I prefer to start with a 20 dollar saddle blank from Colosi or StewMac or LMI :]
Members 12Gauge Posted October 5, 2007 Members Posted October 5, 2007 For a Tusq saddle, measure as close as you can. You will have to rework it some. I used this page as a reference to order. The guy who set up my Larrivee got the saddle a little too low so I ordered a new one and fit it myself. Here's the link. http://www.graphtech.com/downloads/tusq/tusq_catalog.pdf Oh ya, don't bother with the nut
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.