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-   -   1/4 inch saddle too wide? (https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=551422)

Dave Abrahamson 07-07-2019 07:14 AM

1/4 inch saddle too wide?
 
https://i.imgur.com/it3Pq0s.jpg

I removed the chunk of metal holding the original adjustable saddle and all the associated hardware, removed and reglued the bridge, but now I'm wondering if I should try a wide bone saddle(I have lots of bone to make one) or fill the slot and go with a more traditional thinner saddle. I't a cheap Bently that I'm just goofing around with so no pressure one way or the other.
Is that wide of a saddle too much?

Thanks
Dave

charles Tauber 07-07-2019 08:17 AM

All of my guitars are fitted with 3/16” saddles for intonation purposes. I’ve used 1/4” as well. It can be done if you want.

Dave Abrahamson 07-07-2019 08:45 AM

Thank you Charles

Jphb77 07-09-2019 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charles Tauber (Post 6105194)
All of my guitars are fitted with 3/16” saddles for intonation purposes. I’ve used 1/4” as well. It can be done if you want.

Do you happen to have a picture of either a 1/4" or 3/16" saddle that's been profiled and fit in a finished guitar?

Quickstep192 07-09-2019 06:06 AM

Hopefully, others with greater knowledge will chime in, but it occurs to me that your saddle will be sitting directly on the top rather than sitting in a slot in the bridge as is usually the case.

redir 07-09-2019 06:47 AM

Yea I would consider putting a hardwood shim under that so the saddle is not right on top. I've done this on a few guitars like that. The more common technique is to fill it with wood and use a standard 1/8th or so slot. If you could cut very accuracy like a 1/8th hardwood shim and glue it in it will help. But a 1/4in saddle is great. That way you can get precise intonation.

Frank Ford 07-09-2019 08:40 AM

A number of highly respected individual luthiers use 1/4"wide saddles - it's perfectly legal to do so.

Dave Abrahamson 07-11-2019 04:27 AM

Thank you everyone. I'll be fitting that shim under the saddle too. Good advise.

Dave Abrahamson 07-13-2019 09:42 AM

On the subject of needing the shim. I don't have any rosewood or ebony laying around, but I do have some hickory. Would that be hard enough?

charles Tauber 07-13-2019 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Abrahamson (Post 6110398)
On the subject of needing the shim. I don't have any rosewood or ebony laying around, but I do have some hickory. Would that be hard enough?

Sure. Maple is fine too.

Dave Abrahamson 07-13-2019 10:57 AM

Thank you again Mr. Tauber

BlmJn 07-13-2019 07:51 PM

just make a 1/4 slug to fill then slot that. Or you could make a 1/8 bone saddle and put 1/16'" spacers either side. Either will be a significant improvement over the adjustable junk.

Dave Abrahamson 07-15-2019 01:49 PM

Ok. Sorry but one more last question. Should the shim be glued to the top? It will sit directly on the top with the through cut slot in the bridge.

Dave Abrahamson 08-04-2019 02:30 PM

I cut and fit a bone saddle for a nice tight fit.
Would you glue the shim directly to the top in the saddle slot?


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