Ray
So, I've been waiting for the exchange rate to improve. And it hasnt and I've gauged that the way things are now and will be for quite some time, it isnt going to. And I want to buy some of these piezo saddle things for a stratocaster. And all the stuff that I need to get to go wiht it of course. And it is going to hapeen shorlty after you read and answer my question below.
What I would like from you is to tell or direct me toward brands or options and give me opinions on which to go for. At the moment I'm looking at the Graphtech offering I see at StewMac.
Cheers Ray
Norman86
From the bit i have read, the graphtecs are the better option.
Cant remember the others doing it though, sorry :-[
Alan will definitely chip in though ?
Gearhead
Why buy GraphTech through StewMac and not through GraphTech?
Ray
Hell, I dont know! Just that I've bought stuff from SM before but I'll take a look at Graphtech - thanks.
Chocklit_Thunda
Yeah I'd go with Graphtech ghost pickups.... Don't try to manufacture your own piezo saddles.... (I failed rather miserably)
Norman86
The cheapest option is the Graphtech, if only getting the saddles and accessories from my quick google..
The other 2 options are the X Bridge from LR baggs and the Fishman Powerbridge VMV Vintage Strat Piezo Bridge.
Those are full bridges though, not just saddles, and im not sure about what else is needed..
and yes Ray, you can order graphtech stuff direct ?
AlanRatcliffe
Graph Tech, LR Baggs, Fishman and RMC are the only ones you need to be concerned with. While you might see other makes around, they are usually fitted with Graph Tech (or Schaller... meh...) saddles.
Baggs and Fishman are full bridges, while RMC and Graph Tech are saddles. Graph Tech have by far the widest range of saddles (four different ones for Strats alone) and sound the best. RMC are often used by companies such as Godin for their Hexaphonic 13-pin systems, but Graph Tech have that option too and still sound better.
Remember to factor in a preamp, which is essential to getting a decent sound from any system (regardless of what they might tell you). The rest is optional.
Ray
Thank you very much. Yes the preamp is planned for.
AndyInnes
I'd go the Graphtech option, but I didn't see you mention which guitar. I have guitars with the Graphtechs, Fishman and LR Baggs. I tried to get RMC saddles in one of my guitars, but they are difficult to obtain - it seems a bit mom and pop shop there. I gave up after my third attempt to get the stuff ordered and paid for.
Graphtech ship their stuff fast, have great installation manuals and faq's and (last time I checked) great support. With Graphtech saddles, you also get an acoustiphonic pre as part of a kit install for your guitar (they have kits for most common types - strat, LP, PRS, Parker). For a bit more, you can spring for a piggyback kit, which includes a hexaphonic board that literally clips onto the back of the acoustiphonic and gives you hexaphonic 13-pin "midi" capability. These things track like a dream too. I have a Parker fitted with a piggyback system. I ripped out the stock GK1 and put in the Graphtech - vast improvement for tracking.
You won't be sorry. Like Alan, I can't live without my piezos now. I put piezos into my PRS custom 24 the day she arrived (Graphtech kit) and bought the PRS P22 as soon as they came out (that's a L.R. baggs). I also have several types of Parker.
Go piezo or go home ?
AlanRatcliffe
AndyInnes wrote:
I tried to get RMC saddles in one of my guitars, but they are difficult to obtain - it seems a bit mom and pop shop there.
It's a Pop shop ? and geared much more towards OEM. Richard can be difficult to speak to...
Graphtech ship their stuff fast, have great installation manuals and faq's and (last time I checked) great support.
+1. But everyone knows I'm a GT fanboi. ?
AndyInnes
Alan Ratcliffe wrote:
+1. But everyone knows I'm a GT fanboi. ?
LOL
Norman86
hey andy..
he wants them for his warmoth strat!
Ray
Yip a stratocaster but not a Warmoth. And I take all the input and advice with much gratitude people. And I am going the GraphTech way. But I'm Schnoep and waiting for the exchange rate to get better and it's getting wuss. So I think I'll order today or tomorrow. Jirre what's happening to the money?
Cheers - Ray
Norman86
Ah, sorry Ray! thought it was going into that one :-[
AndyInnes
Ray wrote:
Yip a stratocaster but not a Warmoth. And I take all the input and advice with much gratitude people. And I am going the GraphTech way. But I'm Schnoep and waiting for the exchange rate to get better and it's getting wuss. So I think I'll order today or tomorrow. Jirre what's happening to the money?
Cheers - Ray
One caveat - is it a standard or S1 switching / deluxe HSS?
Ray
Gearhead wrote:
Why buy GraphTech through StewMac and not through GraphTech?
Graphtech StewMac
Acoutophonic for guitar $79-95 $61-16
Saddle pickup set $124-95 $97-35
AndyInnes
Ray wrote:
Gearhead wrote:
Why buy GraphTech through StewMac and not through GraphTech?
Graphtech StewMac
Acoutophonic for guitar $79-95 $61-16
Saddle pickup set $124-95 $97-35
That's amazing!
peterleroux
The price difference stands to reason - Graphtech are primarily a manufacturer, not a retail store. If they were to undercut their wholesale clients, the wholesale clients would drop them. Hipshot's online pricing is the same
Gearhead
peterleroux wrote:
The price difference stands to reason - Graphtech are primarily a manufacturer, not a retail store. If they were to undercut their wholesale clients, the wholesale clients would drop them. Hipshot's online pricing is the same
It would be more reasonable to expect a uniform pricing strategy, considering quantity discounts will still make wholesalers get a margin. I would also expect StewMac to not be satisfied with that and raise their prices even more - just look at their silly price level for tools.
@Ray: sorry for putting you on the wrong track. As it turns out, StewMac is not more expensive with
everything.
