Patent Granted to Graph Tech's Micro Balance Acoustic Guitar Saddle

Jan 18, 2001

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Graph Tech Guitar Labs (Booth 5015), has just been awarded a U.S. patent for its Piezo Balance Acoustic Saddle. It is specifically designed to balance string to string volume on acoustic guitars that use under the saddle piezo acoustic pickups, without diminishing the guitars amplified or unamplified acoustic tone.

States Dave Dunwoodie, President of Graph Tech, "Balancing string to string volume on acoustic guitars which use under the saddle pickups has been as consistent problem for both luthiers and guitar manufacturer for years. The challenge has been trying to apply equal string pressure on the pickup without affecting the guitars natural acoustic tone. Flexible saddle materials have been tried, but with the sacrifice of acoustic tone and durability. The Micro Balance Saddle utilizes Graph Tech’s TUSQ man-made Ivory material, for superior acoustic tone, and its patented saddle design. The bottom of the saddle is divided up into six separate feet, one for each string. The six individual feet increases the pressure of each string on the pickup and also reduces the long parallel to parallel surface contact between the saddle and the pickup. This combination of higher pressure and less parallel to parallel contact makes each strings pressure much more consistent and results in a very even string balance. Just installing the new saddle will instantly take care of most balancing problems. Some acoustic guitars may have an inconsistent saddle slot depth in which the pickup is seated, making pickup balancing almost impossible with a regular saddle. With the Micro Balance Saddle an individual foot can be adjusted for string volume with a slight sanding to the corresponding string."

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