Quote:
Originally Posted by ruger9
...QUESTION: if the high E is quiet electrically because of a "poor contact" on that part of the saddle, would the same thing happen acoustically?
|
That is a very sensible question. My simple answer is "sort of".
All other things being equal (bracing is intact, soundboard isn't damaged, etc, etc.):
If the trouble is truly known to be occurring at the saddle alone (there is zero fret contact by the string - I know, but you might be surprised... - , and the nut / nut slot has been proven to *not* be a factor), and you have ruled out poor contact at the crown of the saddle, you may or may not "hear" the less-than-optimal condition of the 1st string, un-amplified. An Under Saddle Transducer is 100% dependent upon perfect contact, being sandwiched between saddle and bridge slot, and will readily give away a contact-compromised condition. Determining whether that condition is due to non-optimal contact or pickup failure is where the detective work comes in.
Assuming you have a capo, a pinned bridge, and a little time, it is a relatively simple matter to capo the strings, loosen the strings, remove the end pins, remove the strings from the bridge (leave them capo'ed for ease of putting them back in place) and then carefully removing the saddle in order to check on the condition/location of the UST.
Shifting of a UST can occur, but typically does not, at least not under string tension. It would take some serious help to slide a UST, especially one that is working just fine - indicating good contact - when it is being pressed into place by a downward force exceeding 150 lbs.
Perhaps a saddle was removed, the UST shifted, the saddle was re-installed...