graph tech strat saddles? good or bad?

[Jimbilly]

I recently got a strat with those already installed. OEM block saddles are only around $25.  What's your take on graph tech?

[RobB]

I’ve used them on Strats. After repeated attempts, they don’t stay installed for long. 

Combined with a properly cut/lubricated nut, they can help a trem stay in tune. To my ear, they impart a bit of a, “sponginess”, to the tone that is not pleasing. If you have a particularly bright Strat you may like the effect. Don’t get me started on the TOM saddles, LOL. 

Personally, for vintage Strat trems I prefer Highwood saddles. They’re designed with a small string channel and hex screws that don’t dig into the palm. Combined with Gotoh staggered, locking tuners my EJ Strat rarely loses tuning.

ETA:  I see now that you have an American Std trem. Let us know how you like the stock saddles. IME they’ll be an improvement. 

Edited April 25 by RobB

[velorush]

On 4/24/2025 at 12:28 AM, RobB said:

ETA:  I see now that you have an American Std trem. Let us know how you like the stock saddles. IME they’ll be an improvement. 

FWIW: I had great results with the Callaham block for the American Standard trem. It allows for use of their trem arm (no slop). I was also partial to their bent steel saddles, but you may prefer the American Standard saddles. 

[Jakeboy]

I loved the Callaham bent steel saddles much better than the AmStd blocks. Zingier and less string breakage on my Strat. I also tried the Graphtec String Savers. They REALLY eliminated string breakage but they did something to the tone like @RobB said.

[RobB]

I was referring to the phenolic saddles. I had forgotten that Graphtech makes these with the teflon inserts. I’ve never used them, but they look like a good choice. String-saver saddles.

Edited May 10 by RobB

[geoff_hartwell]

I love graph tech saddles and they are the first thing to go into my gigging guitars that aren’t Duotones (along with Schaller locking tuners). For tune-o-matic Hamer Artists and LP, and also strats. 
To me, there is no perceived tonal difference that is not eclipsed by the vast improvement in tuning stability and string breakage.