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Your cart is empty.4.5 out of 5 stars
- #69,846 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
- #105 in Acoustic & Classical Guitar Saddles
Tusq delivers a rich tone, crystal clear bell like high end with big open lows and a significant increase in harmonic content and harmonic sustain; increase harmonics equals more richness and character in your tone; Its the difference between a four piece choir and a twelve piece choir singing every time your play a note.
Brushstroke3733
Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2022
I installed this TUSQ saddle in a brand new FS800 Yamaha guitar just because I had the itch to upgrade it and work on it and customize it. I found the TUSQ material fairly easy to work with. Hand sanding to remove material from the height can take a long time, so be patient. I started with 80 grit sandpaper, then finished with 150, then 220, then 320 grit.It feels and looks nice and gives the guitar a bit brighter, crisper sound. For my middle-aged ears, the tones might be a bit too glassy and almost brittle sounding. I think I might prefer natural bone which seems to have a bit warmer tone (less high end overtone frequencies than the TUSQ gives is my guess.) However, for a darker sounding acoustic like those with mahogany tops and bodies, TUSQ might be my preferred material. It all depends on the guitar and the tone you want I guess. Try them all if you can afford to. (Plastic, bone, TUSQ.)
SL 94383
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2021
Many guitars straight from the factory have cheap urea.. aka plastic saddles that simply chip from string itterations.Now the channel offsets the height or alignment creating disturbing buzz.I cannot believe Tusq is not the standard for ALL guitars. Thankfully Tusq saves the day.You can hear the sound hardness when you drop the saddle or nuts on a counter they have a bright ring similar to glass and bounce..Verses cheap urea that simply has plastic dead thud no bounce.Bone was the original old school upgrade.Unfortunally bone does NOT have a precise density thickness or hardness.I measured my OE saddle with a micrometer.Started off with 100 grit paper to get closeNext monitored and perfected the size with 800 grit to polish and make a tighter precision fit.The tusq hardness really transfers string sound making your guitar louder, brighter. The urea actually cushins the sound making it dull.The tedious work payoff.. You made them,Lil boast story topic, they do not wear out like cheap urea!! You will be amazed the sound, harmonics, loudness and tone on acustic & electric.Highly recommended. Size options some match perfect.. some you need to use your elbow grease. String them up. Tune,NO need to repeat this upgrade.UN-like cheap components! Enjoy your new sound endeavor!
Andy
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2019
I used this to upgrade the bridge on my Yamaha FG800. It took some shaping and it is quite a bit too tall, but not too much work overall. It is a bit wide and thick as well. That said it is the closest fit for the tusq line so if you have a FG you want this one.The change in tone is dramatic. The guitar is immediately brighter, louder, and has more sustain. There is also more definition between notes, and there is a noticeable increase in sympathetic harmonics happening. Comparatively, the stock bridge is dark and mushy. It took some getting used to but the tusq is a superior sound.I upgraded the bridge, nut and bridge pins on the fg800 all to tusq and it has really transformed this guitar into something more like $1k instrument. The bridge changed the tone the most but everything was worthwhile and very affordable.I also picked up a cheap set of fret erasers and polished the frets up. Huge playability difference with that little bit of work.This fg is my camping/beater guitar and now it is quite nice. I also have a d28 and while the Martin is still superior these minor upgrades have got the fg a lot closer.
Asa H.
Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2018
The TUSQ Acoustic Guitar Saddle makes Flamenco Guitar sound great.
Maureen Nash
Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2016
Worthwhile up grade for most acoustics but especially for lower cost guitars. I purchased a Yamaha FG 800 as a second guitar and while the overall value cannot be beat. The factory plastic saddle is soft and wobbly in the bridge slot... not good. Replaced with the Tusq fully compensated saddle and can tell the difference instantly. Better overall tone, more articulate, drastically reduced dissonance, intonation better. Does require some sanding for thickness, length and height but with patience and 150 grit and 600 grit sandpaper the job took me about a half an hour. I did the thickness or width of the saddle first using the 150 grit placed on a flat surface and sanding both sides an equal amount until I could slide either end in the slot with a very snug fit. Then I finished each side with the 600 grit for a perfect snug fit that requires needle nose plyers to remove. Then I used the 600 grit to take an equal amount off both ends before rounding to a finish using the 600 grit. With a snug fit all the way around I then used the old saddle as a template for the new one. Lay the old on the new and scribe a thin pencil. This is the line that you want to sand up to and barely eliminate. If you want higher or lower action at the saddle then take more or less off. I was happy with the action so pretty much copied the height of the factory saddle. Crucial to keep checking the saddle bottom while sanding to make sure you're maintaining a flat surface so the saddle will seat solidly in the bridge slot. A quick tip is to use two rolled pieces of masking tape or double sided tape if you have it and place on the flat side of the saddle when sanding for thickness so to have two places for your fingers to grip the saddle. Otherwise you will have an almost impossible time trying the slide the saddle on the sandpaper. That's it. Not a whole lot of work and cost for the upgrade in sound. I will probably replace bridge pins at some point and may even tackle the nut. But the saddle replacement offers the biggest payoff for sure. Take your time and check the fit often so as not to take off too much material.
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