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  #1  
Old 03-23-2011, 05:50 AM
leray1 leray1 is offline
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Default My First Archtop

I got an archtop through a trade with yoyoyoseph. It's a Gibson ES125T and I love it - tone, playability, looks, etc.

Being that it is my first, I've been doing a lot of research, but I still have a question, or two.

The saddle is notched where each string rests (see below). Is this a concern? Also, it needs new strings. What is the heaviest gauge these gals can handle?

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  #2  
Old 03-23-2011, 09:16 AM
charles Tauber charles Tauber is offline
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Normally, notching a bridge is not necessarily. The notches are usually due to either wear or the desire to maintain a certain spread of the strings.

The downside to a notched bridge or saddle is that it can cause the string to lose tone and it alters the intonation since the point where the strings contact the bridge/saddle changes.
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Old 03-23-2011, 09:37 AM
bigdaddyguitar bigdaddyguitar is offline
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These are good guitars . Have had a few . The notches on the saddle is string wear . Should'nt be a problem . Heaviest strings I have used are D'addario medium guage , .013 -.056 . Enjoy it . Fun guitar .
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Old 03-23-2011, 10:06 AM
Howard Klepper Howard Klepper is offline
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Normal and necessary for maintaining string spacing. But it can affect tone if the notches are too deep.
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Old 03-23-2011, 02:38 PM
jimdunk jimdunk is offline
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I've got a '53 L-50 with a similar looking bridge. It has some shallow notches, which I, too, would attribute to wear. But not enough to screw up the tone after 56+ years.
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Old 03-23-2011, 05:26 PM
leray1 leray1 is offline
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Thanks for all the input everyone. She is fun to play - a joy. Here are some more shots...







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Old 03-23-2011, 05:28 PM
peteathome peteathome is offline
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Thanks for the pictures! I really enjoy seeing what others have for guitars and music rooms.
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Old 03-23-2011, 08:42 PM
mr. beaumont mr. beaumont is offline
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Notches are perfectly normal. She should handle .12's no problem.

Consider flatwounds...fun stuff. Awesome guitar.
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