Very low saddle on new Alhambra

[JakobJensen]

Hi

Just received a brand new Alhambra 3c 3/4. It sounds lovely but I'm worried about the saddle which has been sanded very far down so it almost doesn't protrude from the bridge and the break angle is very shallow. It doesn't affect sound but what do you guys say, should I return it for another one (it's free) just to be sure this won't cause problems down the road?

Here is a photo, first of the 3c 3/4 and then of my 1c 3/4 for comparison:

3c-3/4:


1c-3/4:



Thanks for your help,
Hans

[Carey]

Yes, it should be returned: that saddle is way too low for a new guitar.

[CoastStrings]

It should be returned.

Even my flamenco guitars have taller saddles and sharper break angles.

[Rudy4]

That bridge is odd all the way around. The tie block is level with the front section of the bridge. The minimal saddle protrusion is of course worrisome, too. Down the road this is going to be problematic.

[JakobJensen]

Thanks everyone. Since it sounds so nice (even a little bit better than another of the same model), I was struggling a bit to decide whether I should keep it or not, but I'm going to exchange it for a new one. That bridge is just too out of the ordinary to have complete faith in .

[CoastStrings]

Out of curiosity, did it ship with the saddle that low from the factory or did the shop lower it?

Also, what is the current action with that saddle?

[mr. beaumont]

Is the action quite low? That looks like someone lowered it...

[JakobJensen]

Originally Posted by CoastStrings

Out of curiosity, did it ship with the saddle that low from the factory or did the shop lower it?

Also, what is the current action with that saddle?

From the factory. And I haven't got it here to measure right now but the action was as it should be and same as others I've tried.

[mr. beaumont]

Originally Posted by JakobJensen

From the factory. And I haven't got it here to measure right now but the action was as it should be and same as others I've tried.

Oh, then based on that, something's wrong. Definitely return.

[redir]

Originally Posted by Rudy4

That bridge is odd all the way around. The tie block is level with the front section of the bridge. The minimal saddle protrusion is of course worrisome, too. Down the road this is going to be problematic.

Notice the tie block is angled towards the saddle, that's a fairly typical design.

I tend to agree with others. You will never be able to adjust the action lower on that guitar should it raise up in time. Having said that I have guitars as old as the 1950's that have never been adjusted and are very stable. The problem is you just don't know. If that gutiar was already 20 years old and the shop said they had recently lowered the action and the action is perfect or even better yet, a bit lower then you like, then I'd say keep it if you like the tone.

Realize too that classical guitars do have high action. Many steel string players who move over to classical guitar are appalled at how high the action is so they try and lower it to SS heights which could make a trad classical guitar saddle with very little height like that.

What is the action of the outter e-strings at the 12th fret as is?

[JakobJensen]

Originally Posted by redir

What is the action of the outter e-strings at the 12th fret as is?

It's about 4.5mm at E and 3.5 at e (from the fretboard). It's identical to another of the same model, except it's a bit higher by the nut on the "weird" one. That's about what Alhambra recommends (and similar to my other classicals) so it's fine now, just worried about long term. To be honest there's not much more saddle to work with on the other 3c 3/4 I have here but there at least is a millimeter - on my 1c 3/4 snd my Raimundo there is a lot more to work with.

[JakobJensen]

...and interestingly, I can't really see why there was a need to lower it that much (neck is fine etc.), but since the action isn't lower than on the others apparently there is some other factor that made it nessescary.

[CoastStrings]

Originally Posted by JakobJensen

It's about 4.5mm at E and 3.5 at e (from the fretboard).

Please watch this video and measure it again from the top of the 12th fret.

[JakobJensen]

Originally Posted by CoastStrings

Please watch this video and measure it again from the top of the 12th fret.

Sorry, I know how to measure 🙂, but I can't get my calipers in on top of the fret because of the body. Again, it's standard height, same as my others. About 4 and 3 mm from the top of the fret to the bottom of the E and e string is as precise as I can get it.

[CoastStrings]

Originally Posted by JakobJensen

About 4 and 3 mm from the top of the fret to the bottom of the E and e string is as precise as I can get it.

Okay. So your action is at the base standard even with that low of a saddle.

I'll reiterate my recommendation to return it.