Replacing a steel adjustable bridge

One of my first guitar loves is an El Degas branded MIJ acoustic replica of a Gibson Dove. I bought it new about 1976 primarily for use in the classroom (I was teaching then and did not wish to bugger up my Gibson ES 330!). El Degas was primarily a Canadian white label (like Granada, Vantage, etc) which put out some outstanding Japanese solid bodies and acoustics throughout the 70's and 80's.

Unfortunately no records a can be found as to just who made what back then. Certainly the quality on the MIJ instruments is stellar. We suspect many were Mats made, particularly the LP and Strat clones. The acoustics, like mine, may very well be Terada.

Regardless, this "Dove" came with the ubiquitous steel adjustable saddle, very commonly found on 70's and 80's vintage instruments.
Even on Gibsons .

Convenient (sort of) but sucks tone and volume like a Dyson! I love this guitar, and it holds many memories for me, but my encroaching arthritis was making it difficult to play even though the action was as low as it could go with this design.

I had been puzzling over what to do for quite awhile. Then I came across the Tusq Gibson saddle replacement saddle and decided to give it a try. Well! Let me tell you the result is incredible! HUGE increase in volume and tonal range together with lower action. Win. Win. Win.

You can read about it all here if you're interested: http://eldegas.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1802&p=5165#p5122

Many early Aria's, and of course, many other brands also came with these dastardly contraptions. So, if you have one, I can't recommend strongly enough that you try this simple mod.

Have done the same on a few.
Does make a HUGE difference.
Like a new guitar eh!...

Like night and day Damian!
I'm so busy playing it that I still haven't finished it off cosmetically
I guess it'll just wait until next string change.

Love when something so simple can open up an instrument.