Titanium saddles

[Stringswinger]

Two of my CME Gibsons came with the new TOM's that have Titanium saddles. Both guitars seemed very bright to me.

On the first, a 2017 figured 175, I changed the saddle to a rosewood saddle. Brightness gone. A wood saddle is always warmer than a metal saddle, so I took it as a wood vs. metal thing.

Today, I changed the TOM on the 2016 figured 335 to the TOM that came on my Nashville built 1997 figured 175. The tone is much warmer. I am now sure that the titanium saddles makes the guitar way brighter. I know that the titanium will last longer (but seriously, has anyone here ever worn out TOM saddles?) but a brighter tone? I guess the blues/rock players might be OK with that, but for a jazzman? I suppose that the buyers of Gibson ES guitars these days (the few that are left) are not old school jazz players.

Beware of the Titanium, fellow old school jazz players.

[kris]

I use Titanium saddles on my Tele-exelent!.
I used also Titanium KTS saddles on my arch-top jazz guitar-very good saddles/more sustain and exelent tuning/.

[Longways to Go]

Thanks for the info. I've been contemplating the TOM as I've been sorting out my 175.
There is a bit of a metallic zing that I wouldn't mind changing. Very ringy acoustically, not a big issue plugged in.
I may try a bridge substitution too.

This is exactly why I appreciate this forum so much !

[Jabberwocky]

I don't know about the grade of Gibson "titanium" alloy. I have only read good things about the KTS Ti saddles from Japan.

[lammie200]

I won't say anything about good or bad, but I just changed out the TOM bridge on my Casino Coupe to a Resomax V2 version. It does what it is advertised to do. Takes out the high end spike and gets you to a more balanced sound IMHO. The bridge metal is not really defined by the manufacturer, but it seems to be of higher quality than any typical pot metal that I have seen. The saddles are the Graphtec material. Probably much softer than titanium.

[lammie200]

...
There is a bit of a metallic zing that I wouldn't mind changing. Very ringy acoustically...

That's why I went with the Resomax V2. It will remove that metallic zing.

[h1pst3r88]

For my main Strat, I use a trem bridge comprised of brass block, brass trem plate, and titanium saddles. It's the best strat bridge I have ever heard with bell like sustain and clarity that goes on forever.

I am a big fan for a Strat or Tele, and am curious about how it sounds on a archtop TOM.

-Chris

[abelljo]

I had titanium on a new 275 and replaced with brass. I had them on a Tele and it was thin and ear piercing. I went to brass again and the guitar got all the body and mids back. Titanium is not for me. Might be for other folks though.

[neatomic]

agree ss...the titanium saddles go with the modern day strings..stainless and cobalt..for super zingy brightness

i'm more warm vintage plated brass or wood saddles and pure nickel strings style

cheers

[JazzNote]

A few years ago i tried KTS titanium inserts on the TOM of my 2003 L5, but changed them after a couple of days as i felt they were providing more sustain than i liked. I didn't think them to be more bright than the original inserts.

[Max405]

I think the titanium saddles and flat wound strings are a perfect combination. I pick high up toward the neck so brightness is non existent on my guitar. I perceive this brightness you speak of as extreme clarity. And my guitar is getting deeper. It is opening up well before it’s time.
There must be a reason for these tweaks that Gibson made. The heavy build, the Grover’s and the titanium pinned bridge.
It would be nice if we were able get a Gibson rep on here to explain this stuff. Or, now that a CME rep is a member, perhaps he could chime in. We could presume ourselves into a disagreement here real quick. After all, we are talking about an ES175. An argument is imminent.

[Max405]

A few years ago i tried KTS titanium inserts on the TOM of my 2003 L5, but changed them after a couple of days as i felt they were providing more sustain than i liked. I didn't think them to be more bright than the original inserts.

that might be the answer right there. These 175’s sustain till the cows come home.
Joe D

[neatomic]

i think all guitar manufacturers are looking to make their guitars more "current"... gretsch has all sorts of center post, higher gain pupped guitars these days..gibson is being slightly subtler. with their archtops (altho the mini 335's & 275 are a step there)

the pinned bridge, means less fuss with intonation...especially with todays lighter strings......no more sliding bridge bases to throw out your tuning, the titanium bridge saddles add little extra top end oomph (needed when you are going thru a pedalboard of pedals), the heavier build means less feedback, etc etc...all changes to make the guitar easier to deal with

as for good or bad?/ thats a personal view point...some will like the modern changes and some won't...some (of us) enjoy the constant care and attention that vintage designs require & allow, while others just want a pick up and play guitar..devoid of tweaking


tho in reality..all guitars need regular tweaking!!!

cheers

[lawson-stone]

When did the titanium saddles on TOMs start?

[sgosnell]

IME the bridge base, and its fit to the top, are at least as important to the sound as the saddles. I don't believe you can truly compare different saddles unless they're on the same base. Changing from a well-fitted solid base to an ill-fitted one, or to a base with two feet, can have a dramatic impact on the tone of the guitar, either better or worse, brighter or darker, in either direction, depending on the individual guitar.

[silverfoxx]

When did the titanium saddles on TOMs start?

Lawson.
The Es275's have had titanium saddles fitted from inception (2016 ) I am
unsure of the year they began using them on other Gibson models , no
doubt other members will know the answer.

[kris]

my guitarts with KTS:
Product Users｜KTS Musical Products inc.

[deacon Mark]

Funny my Titanium Road Bike does not sound tinny, rides much better than carbon fiber, and the best material for a bike frame I think.

Oh wrong forum.

[Woody Sound]

Titanium saddle?

[Jabberwocky]

Titanium saddle?

Mechanical Stress Induced Erectile Dysfunction.

[Longways to Go]

I picked up an ABR-1 with plated brass inserts at my local Gibson dealer today just for the heck of it.
The switch from titanium to brass definitely turned the volume down on the metallic zing.
It's still there if you hit the strings hard, but it is much quieter -- more in the background than before.

But now I have a question. My new bridge has no slots cut into the inserts.
Do I need to file in some slots, or just let the strings sit where they may?

I've been having fun getting my CME 175 sorted out. I think it's getting pretty close.
One thing I'm still not to sure of is string choice. The current Elixir 12's sound and feel great, but I may have to try some other choices.

[neatomic]

[QUOTE=Longways to Go;842015

But now I have a question. My new bridge has no slots cut into the inserts.
Do I need to file in some slots, or just let the strings sit where they may?

[/QUOTE]

you need to file some slots..they dont have to be too deep or wide...less is more...

& be aware of the spacing between strings as well...

cheers

[kris]

I picked up an ABR-1 with plated brass inserts at my local Gibson dealer today just for the heck of it.
The switch from titanium to brass definitely turned the volume down on the metallic zing.
It's still there if you hit the strings hard, but it is much quieter -- more in the background than before.

But now I have a question. My new bridge has no slots cut into the inserts.
Do I need to file in some slots, or just let the strings sit where they may?

I've been having fun getting my CME 175 sorted out. I think it's getting pretty close.
One thing I'm still not to sure of is string choice. The current Elixir 12's sound and feel great, but I may have to try some other choices.

slots in the saddles?

Yes...small slots you can make ithem with good quality diamond file.

[Longways to Go]

I went out and bought a new triangle file and got my grooves cut into the inserts this morning.

All good.

One bonus of this project is that I was able to move the top e string in from the edge of the fretboard a bit by not cutting the groove dead center of the insert.

[Jabberwocky]

Hope you removed all the burrs. Smooth to your touch? Otherwise, strings that go snap in the dark.