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I posted this same question on another forum but thought I'd also post it here. While cutting up bone for saddle and nut this morning I got thinking about 2 things. #1 Why do I put up with the noise small (I hate Dentists) and time to make something I can buy relatively cheaply; #2 How do other materials stand up or compare to bone. I have seen discussions on many different materials in the Library but think it might be interesting to hear people opinions on the different materials used and the pros and cons of each. Except for my first guitar I have used Bone (first guitar I used Micarta) so don't have a lot of experience. I have seen claims that Micarta and Corian are also excellent and possibly better for Under the saddle pickups. What other material options are there (Black horn, TUSQ, slip stone, pearl, Fossilized Walrus Ivory, Brass etc) and how do these effect the sound. I know this is totally objective but I am looking for peoples opinions for me to weigh and consider. Pros and cons as you see them.

Here are a few recent threads on this subject, try searching the archives as well.
saddles, nuts bone v horn
bone v tusque
bone stench
After reading this post it sounded like I was coming down on you for not checking the archives first. Sorry about that, that was not my intention.John How38474.7586921296

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

Opinions--got a couple. Mainly I've used bone--and if I read your post correctly, I've done a lot of what you described. Cut up the blanks from the raw material. (Is that what you were referring to?) I wised up when the blanks became so readily available, and swallowed my miserly pride and ordered a bunch. I think it is a superb material for the purpose. I've tried ivory, found it harder than reported, but not so totally superior as to warrant its use. Tried Corian, liked it for nuts, but in the saddle position it was not so good. First, it seems brittle and prone to chipping where the strings pass over. I replaced that saddle with bone and the guitar took a noticable jump forward in brightness and volume.
Opinion--for saddles and nuts, bone is really hard to beat. Just choose a piece not riddled with pores. (Is that what they are? Sometimes one can find a piece that looks like Swiss cheese.)

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

That seems to be the Major opinion. Bone for Tone. Yes, I have been cutting up the blanks from the raw material which is what I am thinking just isn't worth it anymore. Maybe when someone has a special request (I have used some moose bone as well but it isn't any better than bone, maybe not quite as good and there is the issue of using wild animal parts and it's legality in some places.) I think I'll finish prcessing the bone I am doing now and then start buying blanks. I have a piece of Pearl I plan to use sometime as well to see how that affects tone.

I've used both bone and Corian for nuts. I've only used bone for saddles. I get the bleached dog bones from the pet store and can get several blanks out of them. Not a many as it looks like I should because the bones are irregular shaped and have voids.

Corian was very easy to work and I was replacing a bone nut. I couldn't hear a difference other than the string buzz I was trying to fix went away. If you have a corian fabricator nearby, the raw material should be free. You could get a years supply in a 6" x 6" piece.