Removing saddle from a tricone t-bridge?

[lemoncats]

Hey so yesterday I got some nut files in the mail that I ordered to increase the string spacing at the saddle of my chinese made tricone

I also bought koa saddle blanks to hopefully round out/warm up the insanely bright trebles on this guitar

However for the life of me I just couldn't get that maple saddle out of the t bridge!!! I mean that thing is REALLY in there!!
I've heard national uses a vice to compress the wood saddle and then puts it in the bridge. Perhaps these chinese brands are doing this too? Or maybe they are gluing it into the bridge??? 

So i ended up just increasing the spacing on that stock saddle thats in there but I really want to replace it if i can get it out

Does anyone know how I would go about getting this saddle out?? Should I try to go around the outside perimeter of the saddle with an exacto knife? Are these chinese saddles glued into place?

[Deleted]

Hola, I've been in this bind before.
I think you should try applying some heat with a soldering gun or hair dryer. That may soften the wood and maybe the glue if any is applied.
You could also try placing the saddle in a vice and lightly work the bridge off. Be very careful with the t-bridge to not warp it!
Good luck!

[snakehips]

Hi there !

I also used a vice.
Turn the T-bar and place the saddle into the saddle and tighten just enough for it to hold.
V gently apply a light pulling force on both ends of the saddle section if the T-bar.
Should pop out

[tokyo]

Pop the tee bar in boiling water just deep enough that the saddle is not covered or touched by the water I did this in reverse when fitting a new one on a butchered saddle..I mentioned this on an old concise posting a while ago.