the Fly Clone Project

jester700 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 28, 2021 10:33 am

Noodler wrote: ↑Tue Aug 31, 2021 8:57 pm Although the Graph Tech saddles worked physically better than the USM saddles, they didn't pair well with anything but the newer Graph Tech preamp. I think they may have had some kind of mismatch with the Fishman preamp (learned that the hard way).

The USM saddles require some "clean-up" over time as the strings will create a rough deeper groove over the saddle which can cause binding (tuning issues) and intonation problems (especially the saddles with the chrome plating).

I've had tuning issues with my USM saddles (thought it was the nut for quite a while) so I got some Graph Techs. I don't use the piezo often, so tuning stability is the priority, but it would be nice to have piezo ability just in case. I'd rather not replace the pre, so did you find any tricks that improved the Graph Tech / Fishman pairing at all? Is it an EQ thing I could partially compensate for?

Thanks!

Noodler wrote: ↑Sun Oct 10, 2021 10:39 pm
If I remember correctly it was a levels mismatch. The Fishman preamp expects a stronger piezo signal to be generated (or maybe it was the other way around, can't exactly recall many years later). I just remember dealing with weird distortion being created and tried so many things before I realized that mixing and matching between the old and the new was the cause for my misery.

mmmguitar wrote: ↑Tue May 31, 2022 12:31 am @alienfreakout, were the heavier set of strings coming out, as well? Could we get an angle more from in front of the saddles, to see if the e and B strings look like they could easily roll out of the groove between bearings? Most importantly, did you intonate the saddles for the new string gauges? It looks as though the anchor points for the ball ends are sufficiently far from the high strings’ saddles that the strings are slackening enough to roll right up and out of the channel between the saddle bearings. A quick test to narrow down the cause would be to loosen each string by a turn or two, loosen the intonation screw, move the saddle as far back as possible, fasten it in place with the screw, then tune back up and see if the issue is still occurring with that extra length behind the saddle minimized.

alienfreakout wrote: ↑Wed Jun 01, 2022 11:25 pm I did not have the correct Allen wrench (what size is needed?).

vjmanzo wrote: ↑Thu Jul 18, 2024 9:35 pm Hey @Fox—I think Mike G. has a lot of those; maybe ping him (contact info on the parts page and send him a photo of what you’re looking to replace?

mmmguitar wrote: ↑Thu Jul 18, 2024 10:33 pm Is the wear more than cosmetic, @Fox (e.g., strings "pinging" or coming out of the saddle grooves)? I ask because I have a spare set of USM saddles - But the finish seems to be flaking off in areas; and it has me curious as to whether saddles from that era of production wear out in consistent ways.

mmmguitar wrote: ↑Thu Jul 18, 2024 11:41 pm Thanks for elaborating and sharing the photo, @Fox. Unless I'm misreading, it seems Pat and I are in the same position of having functional USM saddles to offer, but which are a bit tarnished-looking. In case you can't track down a pristine set, just let us know.