[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by gtrwanka

So, what exactly is it?

Hi gtrwanka...
Actually, it's the saddle of guitars that is compensated and the bridge of mandolins.

Compensating the saddle is a way of micro-tuning (fine tuning) the intonation of the string so it plays as closely to in-tune as possible.

With electric guitars it is accomplished with a high precision tuner and small allen wrenches and screwdrivers and the assembly at the bridge allows the mechanical shortening or lengthening of the strings. This is pretty straight forward and simple.

With Acoustic guitars, compensating is accomplished by using a precision tuner, and carving the top of the saddle so the point where the string breaks over the saddle is near the front of the string...which shortens it (makes it sharper) or toward the back of the saddle to lengthen it (making it flatter).



Note the carving away (to lengthen) the area under the 2nd string and the 6th string on this saddle.

Compensating the saddle of an acoustic guitar greatly improves the intonation, especially when playing further up the neck, though it affects intonation for the better the entire length of the neck.

Hope this helps...