G string notching saddle

[phavriluk]

I started getting tuning difficulties on a G string, wind the tuner and wind some more til 'ping' and the string tuning jumps sharper. I was looking around and found the G string filing its way into a Tusq saddle. Not much, but a notch.

Anybody else seen this? My guess is that the G string is most likely to be a culprit, as it's the smallest wound string with the highest pressure at contact.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

[Mandobart]

I've seen this in nut slots, but not on a saddle. I'm sure it could happen - just hasn't happened to me in about 50 years and a couple dozen instruments.

I always lube the nut and saddle slots with graphite from a pencil too.

[Fathand]

I've seen this happen on a late model Martin HD28, bone saddle, I think, owned by a bluegrass player with a very heavy right hand. G string and it breaks at the saddle where the notch develops. Strangely, banjos have bridge notches that don't break strings.

Removing the string and removing the notch with sandpaper worked.

[phavriluk]

No broken strings, just 'notchy' tuning (and the nut needed help, too).

[JayBee1404]

It’s normal - it’s due to the ‘sawing’ action of the wound strings and it’s happened to a greater or lesser degree on many acoustic guitars I’ve owned irrespective of saddle material, worse on some strings, not so bad on others. You will probably find grooves in the saddle under more strings than just the G.

Those little grooves a can also cause, for example, ‘sitar-like’ sounds and other tonal anomalies, and can also be a cause of premature string-breakage.

As long as you’re happy with the guitar’s 12th-fret action, you can fix grooves by gently and carefully sanding the crown of the saddle down to, but no further than, the bottoms of the grooves (taking care to maintain the rounded shape of the crown). Provided you sand no further than the bottoms of the grooves, the action will be unaffected.

As always, the standard disclaimer applies - IMHO. However, I realise that YMMV, and I’m cool with that.

[Russ C]

The “ping” says tight nut slot to me. I think you have 2 things going on there.

[phavriluk]

I did indeed have something at either end of the string that needed attention.

[YamahaGuy]

I've seen this with Nubone saddles especially.

[Skarsaune]

I've seen it on saddles, most frequently on inexpensive plastic-y material. But bone, too.

[Tuch]

Sudden de tuning...=String Bind-The string is released! =changes Tension...when the string is now fretted.
The string is being 'gripped' by the 2 slot walls.RESOLVED by widening the slot a few Thou''..to now 'fully seat the string upon its slot base!'
Notch at saddle peak=Wear & tare etc.Sand the peak-Eliminate notch should resolve.Replace saddle & sand to desired height[ACTION] if required.

[Robin, Wales]

There's a tendency for factory shaped Tusq saddles (depending on the guitar their are made for) to have quite narrow ledges where the strings sits. So the strings can cut in to the material. The one in the photo came off an Art & Lutherie guitar and had only been played for a few months.

BTW - as has been said, Your string snagging is more likely to be the nut than the saddle.

[phavriluk]

Robin, all true, but dressing the saddle solved the problem. On a Tusq saddle, too.

[Robin, Wales]

Originally Posted by phavriluk

Robin, all true, but dressing the saddle solved the problem. On a Tusq saddle, too.

I'll store that one away for any fault finder inspection in the future! Thanks.

[phavriluk]

Robin, I think I didn't thank you for your help, and I need to. Much obliged.