Need new saddle for Harmony Baritone Uke

[Brian Murphy]

Got a thrift shop find today ($7). The only functional issue seems to be a chipped saddle. Otherwise this thing seems to be in good shape (couple small cracks in back) Anyone sell these, or have one to sell? Thanks!

 

[Wiggy]

I'll start.

Loosen the strings to where you can easily move the saddle in the slot.

Is it sloppy, or does it fit (stands up at a 90-degree angle) nicely in the slot?

If it fits well, you will then need to measure (with a caliper) its thickness (how it fits in the slot), its height (how far it lifts the strings from the depth of the slot), and its length (end-to-end to the tips of the curvy parts).

Report back.

<edit> I envy your find!

 

[Brian Murphy]

I will when I get home in a day or two. I have calipers there. Thanks.

 

[Brian Murphy]

Well, the saddle is really in there. Appears to be plastic. Perhaps the chip happened when someone previously tried to remove it. On the ends, I see residue, but I think it is finish, not glue. Can't imagine why they would use glue. See pix.

Any suggestions?

 

[Doug W]

You could try making a little rectangular wedge of hard wood slightly thinner than the saddle and hit the saddle very lightly with the wedge with a hammer, (tiny taps), one side and then the other. If it doesn't budge, heat it up with a hair dryer being very careful not to melt the finish. You can also heat up some very thin strip of metal that you can slowly work in to loosen the saddle. Be gentle!

 

[necessaryrooster]

I also got one of these recently as a thrift store find; they're great! Is your action super high at the 12th fret?

I'm eventually going to be making a new bridge for mine, I think. It's starting to come off so at the very least I'll need to re-seat it; figured I might as well just replace it entirely because the action is weirdly high and even if I took all the excess of the saddle, I don't think it would be low enough. I've also been considering altering it into a 6 or 8 string, which would require a new bridge.

Anyway, if you're still looking for a saddle in a month or so I'll send you mine.