I just received a replacement saddle for my OM2H from Collings so that I can keep my original and lower the new one to lower the action. First of all, it was already lower than what I had by about 1/32". So, I thought "great" I do not have to sand...but when I replaced it, it lost all the punch in the sound...maybe different born density...who knows? I am going to return this...but now I am faced with BIG problem. I cannot get the saddle out of my guitar. It was a lot tighter than the original...but never thought it would not come out. DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW TO REMOVE TIGHT SADDLE WITHOUT DAMAGING A BRIDGE?

Tosh

Sorry...false alarm...i had to resort to tile cutter...but it finally came out.

if the replacement saddle was THAT TIGHT, then the loss of tone may have been the result of it not seating properly. just a thought.

Bill

TA:

Be very, very, very, very careful about forcing a too tight saddle into a bridge slot. I make my own saddles, and forced a saddle into my 000-2H and split the bridge. I had to have the bridge replaced, which left marks from heat used to loosen the bridge.

So watch out. I'd rather have a little bit of give than too tight.

Jeff

Jeff, thank you for your advice. I returned the saddle to Collings for a replacement. It was also much much lower (by 1/18" - more than I originally quoted) than my original and that probably was the reason for the loss of tone. For a moment when I could not take it out, i was really worried. Hope there was no harm done...

tosh

To get a proper saddle fit a saddle should come too large and need some sanding. It is really easy to do and pretty satisfying.

You need to make sure the saddle is not too tight or the bridge can break with humidity changes.

Bob at guitarsaddles.com gives great instructions.

Bill Irwin has a point -- if the saddle was that tight, it's unlikely you got it all the way seated in the slot.

If the next one comes in like that, sand it a little on the faces to thin it until it slips in with a little drag (or even no drag is OK), and you can easily tell that it's hitting bottom in the slot.

Then sand it to height if you need to.

Be well,

Ken

If your Collings is prior to 2002, the saddle slot is slightly thinner. Collings uses a thicker saddle after 2002.

I tried to fit a new saddle in an old Collings and it cracked the bridge..!! (Another story!)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Ed,

Thank you everyone...just to give everyone an update (boy, almost one year since my first post). I did receive the second one, but the same result. I thought of sanding but since the hight was too low, I had to return it. My OM2HA is late 2002 model, so Ed may be right...