Replacement Tune-o-matic Saddles: Which Faber Set Fits Your Bridge
Will replacement saddles fit the tune-o-matic you already have? Faber saddle sets are made for Faber bridges with removable saddles — ABRH, ABRN, ABRM, and Tone-Lock Bridge — and they do not fit a stock Gibson ABR-1, a stock Nashville, TonePros, Gotoh, or other brands’ bridges. The only Faber bridge they do not fit is the Wraptonate. They are sold in packs of three (not treble- or bass-specific); order two packs to re-saddle a full six-saddle bridge. Each pack includes a new retaining ring for each saddle. If you still have a Gibson or other OEM bridge and want Faber saddles, start with a Faber bridge that fits your posts, then choose the saddle material and notching.
Fit callout
- Fits: Faber ABRH, ABRN, ABRM, and Tone-Lock Bridge (any Faber removable-saddle bridge except Wraptonate).
- Does not fit: Wraptonate; stock Gibson ABR-1; stock Nashville; TonePros, Gotoh, Graph Tech, or other non-Faber bridges.
- Order rule: two 3-packs = full bridge. Packs are not treble/bass specific. New retaining rings included.
Will they fit my Gibson ABR-1, Nashville, or import bridge?
No — not as a drop-in into the OEM bridge. Competitors often sell separate ABR-1 vs Nashville saddle SKUs and tell you to match the bridge stamp. Faber’s answer is different and deliberate: these 3-packs are for Faber bridges only.
Path if you still have a stock Gibson, Epiphone, or other OEM bridge:
- Identify your bridge system — Nashville vs ABR-1 (and the USA/ABR-1 third system), Which Gibson Bridge Do I Have?, or Selecting a bridge for Epiphone and other imports.
- Fit a Faber bridge to your posts (ABRH, ABRN with conversion posts, ABRM, or Tone-Lock Bridge).
- Then order these replacement saddles for that Faber bridge.
Model-by-year Les Paul help: Gibson Les Paul Bridge Replacement. Not sure after photos? Contact Us.
Brass, nylon, or titanium
For the full material comparison, see What Faber Bridge Saddles Should I Get?.
- Nickel plated brass vs natural brass: no audible tonal difference; cosmetic finish choice.
- Titanium: noticeably brighter / tighter; often better on dark guitars; all-titanium can be too bright on an already-bright guitar.
- HYBRIDge (ABR-59 bridges): titanium on the wound strings + brass on the plains — typically one titanium 3-pack + one matching brass 3-pack. Still a current saddle option on ABRH / ABRN / ABRM / Tone-Lock Bridge. (HYBRIDge as a Tone-Bar wraparound or Wraptonate option is discontinued and is not sold here.)
- Nylon: offered without notches only, #3124-1. Order two packs for a full bridge.
Config chooser (which strings get which material): Choosing Your Saddle Configuration.
Pre-notched or without notches
Full notching guide: Choosing Saddle Notching.
- Standard on every Faber bridge: pre-notched saddles, installed and ready to go.
- Saddles without notches are an option for players and techs who cut their own.
- Nylon is available without notches only (#3124-1).
- 3-packs are not treble- or bass-specific.
Saddle screws and retaining rings
Faber ABRH, ABRN, ABRM, and Tone-Lock Bridge are no-wire designs — there is no ABR-1 retaining wire to buzz. Each saddle rides on a saddle screw with a retaining ring.
- Replacement screws: #3076 series (3 screws + Teflon washers + retaining rings per set) — Faber bridges only (except Wraptonate), not Gibson. Finishes: gloss nickel (#3076-0), aged nickel (#3076-1), gloss gold (#3076-2), aged gold (#3076-3).
- Extra retaining rings: #3301 (bag of 10).
- When swapping saddles, do not over-crush the retaining ring. If a ring deforms, replace it — do not reuse a sprung or bent ring.
Parent hub: Faber Bridge Saddles & Screws.
How to swap saddles without losing intonation
High-level steps — not a full luthier manual. Prefer a quiet workspace and spare retaining rings on hand (#3301).
- Photograph or note each saddle’s screw position and which string it carries (bass → treble) before you remove anything.
- Slack or remove the strings. Support the bridge if it is not locked.
- Remove the retaining ring. Two paths:
- Preferred when you have spare new rings: fully unscrew the saddle screw. That often helps the ring come off, but rings may deform — only use this method if spare new rings are available.
- Otherwise: use the smallest jeweler’s screwdriver to gently pry the ring without deforming it, then slide the saddle off the screw.
- Install the new saddle with the same orientation as the others on that Faber bridge (screw head toward the pickups on Faber ABR-59 / Tone-Lock bridges).
- Fit a new retaining ring from the pack. Do not reuse a damaged ring.
- Rough-set intonation from your photo/notes, restring, then fine-tune with a tuner. Intonation how-to: How to set up intonation on a Faber bridge.
- For pre-notched vs. without notches, see Choosing Saddle Notching.
Which Faber set to order
Order rules: full bridge = two 3-packs. HYBRIDge DIY on an ABR-59 / Tone-Lock Bridge = one titanium 3-pack (#3094 or #3124) + one brass 3-pack in the matching notch style. Nylon = two× #3124-1 only (there is no #1105 nylon six-pack on this catalog).
A) Pre-notched — category: Pre-notched saddles
| SKU | Title |
|---|---|
| #3090 | Pre-Notched Saddles Gloss Nickel Plated Brass |
| #3091 | … Aged Nickel Plated Brass |
| #3092 | … Natural Brass |
| #3093 | … Aged Natural Brass |
| #3094 | … Titanium |
| #3096 | … Gloss Gold Plated Brass |
| #3097 | … Aged Gold Plated Brass |
B) Without notches — category: No-notch saddles
| SKU | Title |
|---|---|
| #3120 | No Notch Saddles, Gloss Nickel Plated Brass |
| #3121 | … Aged Nickel Plated Brass |
| #3122 | … Natural Brass |
| #3123 | … Aged Natural Brass |
| #3124 | … Titanium (no-notch — there is no #3125) |
| #3124-1 | … Nylon (without notches only) |
C) Screws & rings
| SKU | Title |
|---|---|
| #3076-0 | Bridge Saddle Screws, Gloss Nickel |
| #3076-1 | … Aged Nickel |
| #3076-2 | … Gloss Gold |
| #3076-3 | … Aged Gold |
| #3301 | Bridge Saddle Screws Retaining Rings (bag of 10) |
Related thin upgrade note (kept; not rewritten here): Upgrading Your Faber Bridge Saddles.
FAQ
Will Faber replacement saddles fit my Gibson ABR-1?
No. They fit Faber ABRH, ABRN, ABRM, and Tone-Lock Bridge only (any Faber removable-saddle bridge except the Wraptonate). They will not fit a stock Gibson ABR-1, stock Nashville, TonePros, Gotoh, or other non-Faber bridges. To use Faber saddles, start with a Faber bridge that matches your posts (for example an ABRH on ABR-1 posts).
How many packs do I need?
Saddles are sold in sets of three. Two sets re-saddle a six-saddle bridge. Packs are not treble- or bass-specific. Nylon is #3124-1 only — order two packs for a full bridge.
Do the packs include retaining rings?
Yes. Each 3-pack includes a new retaining ring for each saddle. Extra rings are #3301 (bag of 10). Do not reuse a deformed ring.
Should I buy pre-notched or without notches? What about nylon?
Pre-notched saddles are ready to go. Saddles without notches are an option for players and techs who cut their own. Nylon saddles are offered without notches only (#3124-1).
Can I mix titanium and brass (HYBRIDge)?
Yes on a Faber ABRH, ABRN, ABRM, or Tone-Lock Bridge: typically one titanium 3-pack for the wound strings and one brass 3-pack for the plain strings. See Choosing Your Saddle Configuration. HYBRIDge as a Tone-Bar or Wraptonate option is discontinued.