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  #1  
Old 10-05-2017, 03:47 PM
elasticman elasticman is offline
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Default is this bridge and saddle too high?

just got this '46 or '47 Gibson J45 (hog top)

Love the patina. But I am concerned that the bridge and saddle are REALLY high! Higher than any I have ever seen. Should I be concerned?





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  #2  
Old 10-05-2017, 04:05 PM
BradHall BradHall is online now
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The witness lines around the perimeter make it look like a replacement bridge. Especially from the rear side. Not a very clean glue joint. The 1/2" space from the soundboard to the bottom of the bass string is in the optimal range. The saddle does look tall. The break angle looks ok. Is the saddle slot deeper than the portion that is above saddle? Seems to be vertical, but lots of rotational force is being applied. Where does a straight edge off the fingerboard fall on the saddle?
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  #3  
Old 10-05-2017, 04:06 PM
Ned Milburn Ned Milburn is offline
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To my eyes, the saddle looks tall for that style bridge and considering the bridge pin holes are so close to the saddle. The bridge height looks fine.
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  #4  
Old 10-05-2017, 04:33 PM
elasticman elasticman is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BradHall View Post
The witness lines around the perimeter make it look like a replacement bridge. Especially from the rear side. Not a very clean glue joint. The 1/2" space from the soundboard to the bottom of the bass string is in the optimal range. The saddle does look tall. The break angle looks ok. Is the saddle slot deeper than the portion that is above saddle? Seems to be vertical, but lots of rotational force is being applied. Where does a straight edge off the fingerboard fall on the saddle?
when I run an 18" straight edge along the fingerboard it lands about 1/8" ABOVE the bridge. Isnt it ideal to have it level with the bridge?
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  #5  
Old 10-05-2017, 04:47 PM
HarryQ HarryQ is offline
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That much saddle height would make me a little nervous, especially if the string height at the 12th fret is low. I like to slightly overset necks, but a straight edge 1/8th inch above the bridge is pushing the limit pretty hard!
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Old 10-06-2017, 05:25 AM
dekutree64 dekutree64 is offline
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Looks ok to me. A little high, but I don't think it will cause any problems. Is the action high or low with this saddle?
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  #7  
Old 10-06-2017, 06:42 AM
elasticman elasticman is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dekutree64 View Post
Looks ok to me. A little high, but I don't think it will cause any problems. Is the action high or low with this saddle?
action is fine
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  #8  
Old 10-06-2017, 01:25 PM
Mr Fingers Mr Fingers is offline
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Yes, the saddle is too high relative to the top of the bridge. Someone replaced the original bridge with a new one that likely is lower in height, though the same general shape, as the original. Playability is likely fine, but the very steep angle from saddle to pins is not good. It may not cause you any problems at all if you're lucky, but there are loads of guitars with lifted bridges, belly humps, split bridgeplates, and other problems caused by the rotational forces this arrangement creates. It can actually sound quite good, tonally (bright, loud) but could cause future difficulty. Sorry. Hope I'm wrong.
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  #9  
Old 10-06-2017, 03:17 PM
Truckjohn Truckjohn is offline
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Strings 1/2" above the top as shown is right about perfect in my book. Thats where I shoot things to come out with the action about right...

It may be that the bridge just looks a bit short....

If it plays good - then leave it be for now....
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  #10  
Old 10-08-2017, 08:54 PM
elasticman elasticman is offline
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action is between 2 and 3/32 at the 12th fret.
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  #11  
Old 10-08-2017, 09:09 PM
elasticman elasticman is offline
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also the braces look too new to my eye. Seems that on a '46 they would be much dingier/weathered. These look like fresh spruce!
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