Official Luthiers Forum!

I was just given a couple of Martin Bridges, Ordered right from guitar makers connection, and they came with (taped to each one) a plastic saddle. What type of material would this be?

It's probably Corian or something like that(spelling).
It's a synthetic material. Not the best for good sound.
Use real BONE...you will be much happier with the results.
WalterK

is it a martin bridge/saddle, or a martin style bridge/saddle? martin used to use micarta, but i've heard they have switched over to tusk. for the manmade saddles.

   GMC may have some older corian or tusq. It is a toss up. Corian is a little on the cream color. Tusq is lighter.
    I usually toss them and use bone.

Yes these are actual Martin Bridges. All I have used in the past is bone or pearl. This stuff is hard but is very light, much lighter than bone. I have seen Corian before and I seem to remember it being heavier so maybe this is TUSQ. It is obviously synthetic and moulded, there are actually these 3 little round circles indented on the one side. It files very much like bone. I have heard it argued that synthetic is better when using an under the saddle pickup but I still like the idea of bone better. I'll probably save them in case someone wants it someday.

I'll bet its Tusq. I've used Corian and bone before for saddles. Corian is a synthetic stone, about the same hardness as marble, which is actually quite soft. It is available in just about any color imaginable, but I suspect that for steel strings, it is probably too soft.

A couple days ago, I was visiting Texas Knifemakers supply, looking through their mammoth ivory scrap, and came across some synthetic ivory. Very dense. I bought some, and plan to try it out for nut and saddle material.

Best,

Michael

_________________
Live to Play, Play to Live