Why do some MM gtrs have bent saddles vs the block saddles?

[Fusionman]

Ive noticed that even within a specific model some gtrs come with vintage bent saddles while others have the solid blocks. Why is that?

 

[Larry]

The solid saddles are for piezo equipped guitars and the vintage ones are on the others. Excluding the JP.

 

[DrKev]

Does the ASS not have solid non-piezo saddles too?

 

[Larry]

I believe if it is a hardtail it has the solid ones. Vintage trem vintage saddles.

 

[Fusionman]

My Axis Sport is NON PIEZO with the vintage trem and it has the solid block saddles yet Ive seen plenty of other Sports and Super Sports with both types. Anyone else know the actual answer?

 

[lock-ny]

Axis supersports come with solid steel, silos and Als and Lukes come with bent steel,some of the older axis sports with the ash bodies have benst steel though - I like the solid, I put them on my silo -

 

[beej]

To make matters worse ... hardtail ALs come with straight vintage saddles. Trem ALs come with the v-shaped vintage saddles. Lotsa choices out there.

 

[THE_EB_KID]

So many options SO little time!!LOL

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I prefer the solid saddles, as they are not so sharp when you mute at the bridge.

 

[GuitarHack]

I prefer the solid saddles, as they are not so sharp when you mute at the bridge.

That's my ONLY complaint about my 20th Silo: the saddle screws and screw holes irritate my right hand. The solids do look cooler, too.

I think there must be a tonal difference too...I believe someone here put solid saddles on their EBMM, and went back to the bent ones because of the particular tone that resulted.

 

[beej]

The problem is usually the set screws protruding from the saddle. I have a selection at home and put smaller ones in so they don't catch my picking hand. It's less noticeable with the block saddles.

I tried the block saddles on a few guitars and went back to the vintage ones- they sound better (brighter) to my ears.

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

I changed out the saddles on my AL to the solid ones just because I find the solid saddles more comfortable. I actually got my 20th with piezo just so I wouldn't have to switch saddles & I could have an extra switching option (yeah that was secondary).

The tone difference in the AL didn't bother me any, but yes - it wasn't as bright/jangly sounding.