IOS Tele Saddles Join Graph Tech's Product Line

Sep 15, 2002

Graph Tech's Increased Oscillation and Sustain (I.O.S) Tele Saddles evolved from a conversation between Valjean Leiker, guitar tech for Smash Mouth at the time, and Dave Dunwoodie, President of Graph Tech Guitar Labs. Valjean wanted to find an alternative to the original saddles on Greg Camp's (Smash Mouth) Jazz Master, a guitar designed by Fender in the late 1950's. His vision was to combine today's technology with the vintage style Fender. The original saddles were simply bolts with threads that didn't run through to the strings. According to Valjean, "The tone was muffled similar to that of a vibrating sitar-type sound." The goal was to eliminate the old-style threaded saddle and try something different.

Dave Dunwoodie worked with Valjean to come up with a barrel saddle that would provide tonality and brilliance while eliminating the persistent rattling sound. Graph Tech modified its Tele Vintage 3-Piece Saddle by cutting away a section of the barrel to create a downward slope. The string and saddle contact points were now positioned on an angle.

Valjean Leiker tested the product until the saddles achieved an optimal tone. The final result: I.O.S Tele Saddles (TUSQ) that successfully brighten up the surfer-style tone on Greg Camp's Jazz Master guitar. I.O.S Tele Saddles open up string vibration for a fatter more open sound, increased sustain, and the elimination of the "sitaring" effect. The 3-Piece saddles (PS-8163-00 and PQ-8613-00) also feature built-in compensation.

Available Models:

• PS-8166-00 String Saver IOS Tele 6 -- Piece Barrel $39.95 USD MSRP. Set of six.
• PS-8163-00 String Saver IOS Compensated Tele 3 -- Piece Barrel $39.95 USD MSRP. Set of three.
• PQ-8166-00 TUSQ IOS Tele 6-Piece Barrel $39.99 USD MSRP. Set of six.
• PQ-8163-00 TUSQ IOS Tele Compensated 3-Piece Barrel $39.99 USD MSRP. Set of three.

For more information, visit their web site at www.graphtech.bc.ca.