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of comments on our titanium guitar parts
from musicians and builders... |
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Don Felder (Guitarist formally with The Eagles)
"Ifve found a remarkable tone improvement with the KTS bridge saddles. They dramatically increase sustain and clarity on all my Les Pauls and Fender Stratocasters. I also havenft broken a single string on the guitars that have these bridge saddles. Ifm putting them on all my guitars at this time. Theyfre GREAT!!!!!" -Don Felder
Don Felder Website |
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John Jorgenson (a founding member of the Desert Rose Band, the Hellecasters, and six-year member of Elton John's band. Artists ranging from Barbra Streisand to Bonnie Raitt to Earl Scruggs have sought out Jorgenson's guitar work. Recently, John was chosen to portray Django Reinhardt in the feature film Head in the Clouds)
"I put it on my Epiphone Supernova that I was cleaning up after the flood got it, and it sounds great! I can really tell the difference in tone from the old bridge that was on there. You can see a video of me singing the Beatles' "Wait" on Youtube using that guitar for rhythm." - John Jorgenson
John Jorgenson Website
Photo: Alan Messer |
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Arthur Neilson (Solo artist and guitarist for Shemekia Copeland)
"I am very happy with these Titanium saddles. I first tried them out on my Les Paul Custom. It gave the guitar more definition and presence. The neck humbucker was less muddy sounding, and the bridge humbucker was less harsh. I then tried the KTS bridge on my Les Paul Sunburst Standard. (I had overwound pickups on this guitar because it originally had a weak or generic sound to it) When I put the KTS bridge on it, the guitar came alive. I have since reinstalled the lower output PAF style pickups I had it in it before, (they was no need for the overwound pickups anymore) and I have not stopped playing it! Again I could hear the clarity in the neck humbucker and no harshness in the bridge humbucker. The guitar reacts more to how hard or soft I pick, more touch sensitive. I would love to outfit all my ABR bridge (Gibson) guitars with the titanium saddles, it's a great improvement in tone." -Arthur Neilson
Arthur Neilson Website >>> |
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Mike Stone (Former guitarist for Queensryche)
"If you are looking to take your tone to the next level, step up to KTS titanium saddles. These things ring louder than Big Ben. Fatter tone through the entire sonic spectrum-Wow!" -Mike Stone
Mike Stone on myspace |
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Vinnie Zummo (Producer and former guitarist for Joe Jackson)
"A great guitar sound is a combination of many small elements. The pick, wire, pickups...these are all important things but now I've learned that there is one more EXTREMELY important element....The bridge saddles. KTS saddles have really changed my sound and I consider myself lucky to have found them. A simple product that makes it easier to play music. What more could you ask for?" -Vinnie Zummo
Please check out Vinnie's album "Swinging Guitar Sounds of Young America" at: CDBABY
Vinnie Zummo on myspace |
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Alex Beyrodt (guitarist for Silent Force and Voodoo Circle, also working with DC Cooper (former Royal Hunt), Paul Shortino (Quiot Riot), Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple)
"Using the KTS PR-11 on my strat is giving me more overall tone and natural harmonics. The guitar sounds more alive.....has more to give. It made me to write 4 songs in 20 minutes right after I installed it on my strat, holy hell! Not only the guitar feels better and has more twang, it also inspires me and that is something I am always looking for....Inspiration. Thanks KTS!" -Alex Beyrodt
Alex Beyrodt on myspace |
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Angel Vivaldi (NY based solo artist, called "The Modern Joe Satriani" by the Aquarian Weekly)
"The sustain and natural harmonics that these simple little titanium inserts emit is uncanny. Not only do they sound great, but thanks their ultra-responsive characteristics I can shred at top speeds with less effort." -Angel Vivaldi
Angel Vivaldi on MySpace |
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Knut Bausch (well respected luthier and tech in Germany, working with many great German guitarists such as Thomas Blug)
As a player: "Installing these parts is dramatic improvement for your instrument. You can hear it and you can even feel it!!! Satisfaction guaranteed!"
As a tech: "These parts a built with passion. Superb craftsmanship!" -Knut Bausch
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Thomas Blug (Professional German guitarist, known as the Strat-King in Europe)
"Das ist gut, besonders im mittleren Bereich klingt's waNrmer. Wenn das Produkt nicht gut ist, moNchte ich nicht daruNber kommentieren,
aber KTS Bridge ist nicht in dem Fall. "
English: "This is good, especially the middle range sounds warmer. If the product is not good I don't want to comment on it but this KTS titanium bridge is not the case." -Thomas Blug
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Ben Granfelt (Guitarist formally with Wishbone Ash)
"There has been a lot of hype about titanium parts etc. I didn't really pay any attention to it. Now I wish I would have done so earlier! I haven't yet broken a single string on my Strat and there definitely is a change in the tone for the better! I'm changing to KTS parts on my Les Pauls too!" -Ben Granfelt
Ben Granfelt Website |
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George Terry (Session guitarist working with such artists as Eric Clapton)
gThe guitar would not have been top quality without your parts. The Titanium saddles were fantastic and I'm hoping to get some for myself since I used them on the custom Strath -George Terry
George Terry Website |
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Michael Tobias (World renowned electric bass manufacturer)
"The most obvious difference is the way it feels in my hand. The titanium makes it seem more solid but much more alive. Sonically it is more even, and the response is quicker. The notes seem to jump off the board. it's a very interesting phenomenon." -Michael Tobias
MTD Official Website |
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Pat Martino (Solo artist and sideman playing with: Sonny Stitt, Gene Ammons, Richard Groove Holmes, John Handy, Bobby Hutcherson, Chick Corea, Jack McDuff, Don Patterson, Stanley Clark, Eric Kloss, Trudy Pitts, Willis Jackson, Lloyd Price, Woody Herman, Chuck Israels, Charles Earland, Barry Miles and Joe Pesci)
"My first impressions are: Longer sustain, Greater accuracy, Intonation is sharper, Flexibility is greater without change. The most important advantage by the use of Titanium saddles is greater service from the instrument that is using it. It gives greater service, there is a closer relationship for the artists needs, sustain, intonation, etc." -Pat Martino
Pat Martino Official Website |
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Allen Hinds (Solo Artist and session guitarist who has performed and/or recorded with jazz and R&B luminaries including Patti Austin, Mary J. Blige, Maya, Natalie Cole, Roberta Flack, BeBe and CeCe Winan, Randy Crawford, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, The Crusaders, Bobby Caldwell, James Ingram, Marilyn Scott, Eric Marienthal, Boney James, Marc Antoine, Gino Vannelli and many, many others)
"With
titanium saddles notes are clearer,
fatter, more defined. You hear more
of everything. More attack, more of
your fingers. Even my V.U. meter on
my tuner was evidence. The needle
just sat in one position after I installed
these saddles. No fluttering like
before. I even "pro-tooled" before
and after installing the saddles.
the high end was much thicker with
a crisper attack. Any change takes
a while to get used too if you are
constantly searching for "THE" tone.
Titanium parts are an evolution, not
too far from tradition, that really
make a difference." -Allen Hinds
Allen Hinds Official Website |
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Michael Thomson (Session guitarist, working with such artists as Joe Cocker, Cher, Quincy Jones, Stanley Clarke, David Foster, Babyface amoungst countless others)
"I have to say that I was a little bit
skeptical about whether or not bridge
saddles could make as much of difference
as you say. But after hearing the
difference in two guitars (a Fender
'62 reissue Strat and a custom Don
Grosch) I have to say it made a Big
improvement in Tone and Sustain. I
have already recommend these bridge
saddles to some of my guitar friends.
Eventually I would like to install
these saddles in all my Strat type
guitars. Thank a lot" -Michael Thomson
Michael Thompson Official Website |
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Jennifer Batten (Solo artists, session guitarists performing with Michael Jackson and Jeff Beck)
"These
Titanium bridge pieces are the BOMB!!
Try them for yourself" -Jennifer Batten
Jennifer
Batten Official Website |
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Reb Beach (Guitarist for such bands as Winger, Dokken, Whitsnake and Alice Cooper)
"I
am SO sick of digging out cracked
block with a screwdriver! It sounds
like your Ti-Block is something that
is going to make me happy for years!
Thank you so much!" -Reb Beach
Reb Beach Official Website |
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Johnny Rushmore (Solo artist, guitar builder)
"AWESOME ! It certainly does clear up the sound add sustain and brighten up the instruments tonal characteristics ! Fantastic ! The 1 piece guitars I build - no neck joint made of mahogany and Limba definitely benefit in their tonal properties by these great titanium saddles especially in the upper frequencies ! Wow ! It brought out the mids like you would not believe - you have to hear this to know the differences ! It brings out the midrange and shimmering highs that were not as apparent or focused before and is the perfect combination to my Rushmore guitar single cut design - you were right ! Anyone who wants a higher definition and more sustain would benefit from these KTS saddles and parts and please I need to get some more and truss rods too ! Thanks KTS you told me it would be better I was skeptical but not anymore but Hey , you already knew that your product was great ! Now Johnny Rushmore is proud to offer these on his single cut 1 piece no neck joint guitars ! You guys rock ! Thank you gentlemen - Your guitar builder and friend." -Johnny Rushmore
Rushmore Guitars Official Website |
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Chris Juergensen (Solo artist, LA session guitarist)
"I
originally bought a set of titanium
saddles for my 1960 Strat because
I was tired of breaking strings
every twenty minutes with the steel
ones. What I didn't expect was the
great tone I got from them. Much
better clarity, definition and sustain
without losing the original characteristics
of the vintage guitar itself. They
are on all my guitars now and I
couldn't be happier." -Chris Juergensen
Chris
Juergensen Official Website |
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Michael DeTemple (Master guitar builder and guitarist, working and playing with various artists and bands, including: Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Pete Townsend, Ron Wood, etc.)
Why
Titanium? When it comes to guitars
I have been a traditionalist for as
long as I can remember. From repairing
guitars for Ernie Ball at age 14 to
the restoration and upkeep of some
of the greatest player's instruments
of today, I have always found tradition
to be the greatest guideline in determining
the best approach to any given problem.
For me to decide to use a different
saddle metal on a very traditional
electric guitar such as a Strat(R),
Tele(R) or Les Paul(R) is really a
stretch. However, our test results
with Titanium have been so impressive
that I've changed my mind. And, just
as significantly, I use Titanium saddles
on my own line of DeTemple '52, '56
and P55 guitars and basses. In addition
to my own line I have installed at
least 50 sets of Titanium saddles
on all sorts of guitars from $100.00
copies to multi-thousand dollar custom
shop guitars, and without a doubt
they have all benefited greatly with
the modification. One of the most
amazing transformations occurred on
a secondhand, made in Mexico, StratR.
Along with Titanium saddles (on the
vintage style bridge) I added a set
of my SweetSpot Alnico 2 pickups -
the result was a guitar that sounded
as good as any custom shop instrument
you will ever hear. Thank you KTS
for your extraordinary innovation.
The quality and craftsmanship of your
products have raised the bar when
it comes to tone." -Michael DeTemple
Michael DeTemple Official Website |
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Rick Molina (NY session guitarist, recording for Universal Records, Polydor Records/Japan)
"I
installed the tremolo bridge PR-11
on my strat and the improvement is
dramatic. The clarity of the note
fundamental, sustain and tonal stability
are so solid that I am hearing the
true character of the instrument for
the first time! I highly recommend
these bridge pieces for anyone who
is looking to extend the personality
of their instrument past the standard
or "stock" sound that regular
parts give to the overall sound. Titanium
parts distill the sound of any guitar
emphasizing the uniqueness of the
wood and most importantly, the player's
hands."
Ric Molina Official Website |
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Geoff Whitehorn (Guitarist performing with Procol Harem, Rodger Daltry, Bad Company, etc.)
"I
like what titanium does to the sound.
As well as improving sustain, it
seems to make the notes "rounder"
and "deeper", somehow.
The nastier, high harmonics seem
to be smoothed out and everything
just sounds more "musical".
Also, my favorite '64 Telecaster,
with the addition of PR-08WD compensated
saddles, now plays completely in
tune for the first time in its 43
year existence, and sounds amazing
too" -Geoff Whitehorn
Geoff
Whitehorn Ofiicial Website |
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Phil Hilborne (Phil Hilborne Band and Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden).Many live demonstrations and clinics for leading music companies; including Gibson, Ampeg, Cornford, Vigier, Paiste, Sonor, Zildjian, PRS, Washburn, Fender, Seymour Duncan, LarriveLe, Beyer Dynamic, Kitty Hawk, Crate, Hohner, Ernie Ball, Marshall, Premier etc.)
"KTS
titanium saddles have transformed
the sound of my guitars - the tone
is now fuller and the sustain is
quite remarkable. I recommend them
wholeheartedly - they are the best!" -Phil Hilborne
Phil
Hilborne Official Website
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John Raymond (Session guitarist)
"I've
been using your titanium compensated
saddles for a few months now and
to say the least I am very impressed.
On both guitars I noticed improved
string-to-string definition when
chording, and the sound is warm
and even with a pleasing presence
on top, but not too bright or harsh!
And especially noticeable in the
upper register, the notes now seem
to 'bloom' with sustain. They definitely
took my Custom Shop guitars to the
next level!" |
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More User Comments... |
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This is a wonderfully crafted piece of hardware made by someone who takes craftsmanship seriously. I tried replacing the stock hardware a few times on a 335 that didn't seem like it was living up to its potential. The KTS tailpiece was one link in the chain that made it feel more substantial, more solid, and more resonant. | Jason, Portland OR
I must say, I was a little skeptical that Ifd really notice much difference. How wrong I was! Therefs a marked improvement in sustain and a lovely snap to every note! Ifm very impressed! - Sean, Singapore
As much as I love Glendale hardware, the cold-rolled steel saddles I had on my Baja Tele (along with a Glendale cold-rolled steel blackguard bridge plate) made the guitar and pickups sound thin, tinny and peaky - and not the best resonant peak in the resonant frequency. So I decided to try KTS Titanium saddles and this Baja went from a Tele that I played for a few minutes and always put down in favor of another one of my Teles to a guitar I can't stop playing! Both the Twisted Tele neck pickup & Broadcaster bridge pickup which I was considering replacing now sound lush; the thinness from before has been replaced by a complexity that is most certainly because of the composition and construction of the saddles. In a word, this guitar now sounds fantastic. Even when I strum it unplugged it has a resonance and complexity of tone it didn't have before. The tonal spectrum is beautifully balanced. Just gorgeous sounding.
After reading all the pro and con arguments about how much saddles effect the tone, dynamics and sustain, I can honestly say that they absolutely make a difference; they are as important a component as the pickups are in altering the sound of a Tele. I'm serious - the difference in the sound of these pickups is night and day since I changed the saddles. Like I said I was about to replace them - now they are staying. The KTS Titanium saddles are also very beautifully constructed. A big thumbs up for KTS. -Andy, New York
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