Any Silo Spec owners changed their bridges? (hardtail)

[B2D]

I'm tweaking my trusty Silo Special again, and I'm looking at the bridge... it's one of those hardtails with the bent steel saddles, like this:

http://www.elderly.com/media/catalo...5d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/3/0/30u-18478_bridge.jpg

Any Silo Special players (or other hardtail players) here that have changed out their bridge? I was thinking of looking into a Hipshot model with captive saddles - I think the extra mass may drive the body harder and the current High E saddle on mine tends to druft south and make it easy for the high E to fall off the neck.

Thoughts?

 

[jamminjim]

Never had a problem with high E saddle drift. Are you running the stock nut? How close to the edge of the board is the e string say around the 14th fret?

 

[lock-ny]

I would try changing the saddles...the MM bridges are great I think....

 

[beej]

Agreed, I'd just change the saddles. If it's drift, the newer bent ones have more of a groove that should help keep the string in place. If you're looking for a different sound, try the solid saddles- less 'zing', a little more meat. You can order a replacement set from MM.

 

[Steve Nukather]

Stock MM hardtail bridge is the best. Leave it stock, just use the saddle height screws to tilt the saddle slightly. You want the inside edge to be slightly higher than the outer edge. then the string will stay put.

 

[B2D]

Thanks for the suggestions, folks.

Bit of an update - I took the guitar to a trusted local luthier to have this corrected and some other adjustments made.

When I say "saddle drift" I'm more referring to the actual saddle, as opposed to where the string sits.

The saddles will be like: l l l l l / with the high e drifting out slightly.

I am not running the stock nut. Several years ago I had a new nut made to accommodate the .010-.052 strings I like to use - that was more for the bass strings than the treble ones though.

My luthier suggested keeping the stock baseplate and running some new saddles, both to help correct the drift issue AND to smooth out the tone a little (I'm getting Graphtechs).

I'll keep y'all posted on how this goes.

 

[B2D]

If you're looking for a different sound, try the solid saddles- less 'zing', a little more meat. You can order a replacement set from MM.

If the graphtechs don't work out, who do I contact to order some?

 

[beej]

Anyone at MM customer service. Just call or email.

 

[B2D]

Anyone at MM customer service. Just call or email.

Awesome. Thanks!

 

[B2D]

Little bit of an update... I've been using the Graphtech saddles for about a week, and they work great for what I needed! A little bit of a subtle rounding off on the highs and they feel good on the hand.

Thanks to all for the recommendations. Here's a picture!

 

[alf cockle]

bought my 1st EBMM in 2001 sil sp..brand new….hated it….the bridge saddles scraped my hand,and fortunately a year later,I changed the nut and the bridge saddles to Graphteks…instant love affair….done it to a few of my guitars,and it really changes a lot of things for better….still got that same sil sp,and its a keeper..tx to the mod...