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FAQ

What is TUSQ made of?

TUSQ is a proprietary material crafted through a precision-engineered process involving high heat and pressure. It is composed entirely of 100% organic polymers, with no petroleum or animal by-products. This unique formulation ensures optimal frequen

Can I modify TUSQ to fit my guitar?

Due to TUSQ’s consistency, it is extremely easy to work with. You can easily modify it with fine-grit sandpaper or other commonly used shaping tools.

Which manufacturers use TUSQ on their guitars?

To see a list of all the major guitar manufactures that are using TUSQ products on their guitars click here.

What if I have an under the saddle pick up?

TUSQ is a great way to balance those strings for maximum output and string-to-string balance. We also carry microbalance saddles to improve an under-saddle pickup imbalance. The bottom of the saddle is divided into separate feet of different sizes st

Graph Tech Nut & Saddle Characteristics

Here at Graph Tech, we get asked all the time "what is the difference between TUSQ & TUSQ XL?" or "What exactly is Fossalite?". Here is a quick rundown on the different type of materials we manufacture and why you would choose one over the other... T

What is Black TUSQ XL?

Black TUSQ XL is a proprietary material precision-engineered, which is under high pressure and heat. It is permanently lubricated throughout to reduce friction between the nut material and the string.  It is specifically formulated to deliver the rig

Can I modify Black TUSQ XL to fit my guitar?

Due to Black TUSQ XL’s consistency it is extremely easy to work with.  You can easily modify it with fine grit sandpaper or other commonly used shaping tools.

How is Black TUSQ XL different than any other material (bone, micarta, and corian) used in saddles in nuts?

Black TUSQ XL is a very resonant material.  This resonance alone will give you a full and deep sound that will amplify your tone to a new level.  Secondly, it's a consistent material, allowing every note you play to sound just as clear and full as th

What is NuBone?

NuBone is a derivative of Graph Tech's proprietary TUSQ material and offers very similar tonal characteristics to our highly esteemed TUSQ. NuBone doesn't damp string vibration like plastic; instead, it transfers the optimum frequencies to the guitar

What is the difference of TUSQ and NuBone?

The major difference between TUSQ and NuBone is that TUSQ is a slightly harder material and has a slightly brighter sound.  The tonal difference is slight and not evident to everyone.

Why is NuBone only available in pre-slotted and compensated models?

The reason we only make pre-shaped NuBone nuts and saddles is that if you are going to spend the money on a custom shaped nut or saddle you might as well use one of our premium TUSQ product because most of the cost is in the labor.

Why is NuBone only available in packs of 10 pieces?

Actually, NuBone is also available in three different packaging options.  It comes in a ten pack, a five pack, or a convenient Master Luthier Kit.  This kit comes with our nine most popular nuts and three most popular saddles, with a total of fifty p

Will NuBone improve the sound on my guitar?

Compared to plastic, bone or Corian, NuBone will improve the tone of your guitar, increase sustain and help create a more balanced sound from string to string.

What material is String Saver made out of?

String Saver is made from a proprietary material that is precision-engineered under high pressure and heat. It is impregnated with a lubrication agent throughout, which reduces the friction between the saddles and the strings.  It is specifically for

What is the difference between String Saver Originals and String Saver Classics?

String Saver Originals are made completely from our String Saver material, whereas String Saver Classics are a steel saddle with a small insert of the String Saver material where the string hits the saddle.  String Saver Classics will retain the look

What if the strings start to dig into the saddle?

If you’re experiencing any kind of binding, you can easily fold a piece of 200 Grit sandpaper and sand the notch off.  Again, being a consistent material you can file/sand the saddle and you will still be working with the same quality material.

Can I modify String Saver Originals for my guitar?

Due to the consistency of our String Saver Originals, it is extremely easy to work with.  You can easily modify it with fine-grit sandpaper or other commonly used shaping tools.  If we make a saddle close to what you need and you want to make the sad

If a string starts breaking using String Saver Saddles

A string breaks because o stress on a specific point of the string. Metal (saddle) to Metal (strings) is "sticky" and locks the string into position, resulting in metal fatigue and the string breaking. String Saver Saddle has a lubricating agent impr

What are the String Saver saddles made out of?

ResoMax NV2 is loaded with our String Saver saddles. Providing a balanced tone will allow your string to ring at a steadier rate and play better in harmony. You will also notice more body in your tone as String Saver saddles really bring out those mi

What if the strings dig in to the String Saver saddles?

Since our saddles are impregnated (not coated) with lubricating material, if you notice your guitar strings digging into the material or any other imperfections, you can easily take some sandpaper, sand the notch or groove out and it's like working w

Acoustic Saddle Installation Instructions

The Acoustics of The Guitar - the Science Behind Acoustic Guitar Tone

What are the magical properties that make a quality guitar sound so spine-tingling good? When you strip away the tradition, the romance, and a little luthier voodoo, the answer is firmly grounded in science... Acoustic guitars are fundamentally desig

How does intonation work?

Setting a guitar's intonation compensates for the fact that you have to stretch the string a little bit toward the fingerboard to fret a note. Just like doing bends, this unavoidable stretch increases the pitch of each note slightly, and compensation

Why Guitar Strings Break

There is never a good time to break a guitar string, especially when you're in the middle of a gig, so you can almost expect it to occur at this worst possible moment. More than just a common annoyance, string breakage can be a confidence buster when

How to Measure a Guitar Nut and Saddle

At Graph Tech, we offer over 250 different nut and saddle styles and sizes along with complete customization options for our OEM manufacturers. With so many options, it can get very confusing when it comes to ordering the correct part for your guitar

If a saddle starts breaking strings

If a saddle starts breaking strings. The reason a string breaks is stress on a specific point of the string. Metal (saddle) to Metal (strings) is "sticky" and locks the string into position, resulting in metal fatigue and the string breaking. String

Why Use String Saver Saddles

What are the mechanical and chemical properties of your saddle materials?

While properties like hardness and density are often points of curiosity, they don’t provide anywhere near the full picture when it comes to the tone and performance of our products such as TUSQ nuts and String Saver saddles. Our products are designe