My saddles don’t look “right”. Is this normal?
- RoséBear
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My saddles don’t look “right”. Is this normal?
Just threw on a fresh set of strings and noticed this. When I usually set intonation, it’s stairstep. One higher than the next. I noticed my A string saddle is just as high as the D string. Usually I’ve seen the A intonation height is between the E and D. How normal is it for one or more strings to be different than the norm?
- Embenny
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Re: My saddles don’t look “right”. Is this normal?
Well, your first problem is that you strung your guitar backwards
There's nothing wrong with the way it looks. The key is to use an accurate tuner (like a strobe, especially), a fresh but settled-in set of strings, and go by tuning and not visually.
Acoustic guitars and many archtops have saddles that are in a straight line, angled back towards the low E, and sometimes with a little compensated notch for the G string, and have acceptable intonation that way, so it's not "wrong" for two saddles to be at the same length.
There's nothing wrong with the way it looks. The key is to use an accurate tuner (like a strobe, especially), a fresh but settled-in set of strings, and go by tuning and not visually.
Acoustic guitars and many archtops have saddles that are in a straight line, angled back towards the low E, and sometimes with a little compensated notch for the G string, and have acceptable intonation that way, so it's not "wrong" for two saddles to be at the same length.
The artist formerly known as mbene085.
- RoséBear
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Re: My saddles don’t look “right”. Is this normal?
Thanks! I’m using a Boss TU-3. Do you think that’s accurate enough?mbene085 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 23, 2019 4:26 pmWell, your first problem is that you strung your guitar backwards
There's nothing wrong with the way it looks. The key is to use an accurate tuner (like a strobe, especially), a fresh but settled-in set of strings, and go by tuning and not visually.
Acoustic guitars and many archtops have saddles that are in a straight line, angled back towards the low E, and sometimes with a little compensated notch for the G string, and have acceptable intonation that way, so it's not "wrong" for two saddles to be at the same length.
- timtam
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Re: My saddles don’t look “right”. Is this normal?
I had a similar issue once. Looked more closely and realized that a string was actually resting on the front end of the screw ! Not sure that is your particular problem though.
Depending on the overall bridge height, I have also had strings resting on the front or back edge of the bridge plate. So all worth checking in these situations.
Another common explanation is one old or just 'odd' string.
Depending on the overall bridge height, I have also had strings resting on the front or back edge of the bridge plate. So all worth checking in these situations.
Another common explanation is one old or just 'odd' string.
"I just knew I wanted to make a sound that was the complete opposite of a Les Paul, and that’s pretty much a Jaguar." Rowland S. Howard.
- RoséBear
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Re: My saddles don’t look “right”. Is this normal?
This has happened with all the D’addario strings I’ve tried and I just changed strings. Here’s a pic! It doesn’t appear to be the case...timtam wrote: ↑Sat Mar 23, 2019 6:04 pmI had a similar issue once. Looked more closely and realized that a string was actually resting on the front end of the screw ! Not sure that is your particular problem though.
Metric offset bridges tend to come with 18mm long M3 screws, which is too long IMHO. First thing I do now is switch them all to 16mm. Imperial bridge intonation screws are usually around 15-16mm IIRC.
Depending on the overall bridge height, I have also had strings resting on the front or back wall of the bridge plate. So all worth checking in these situations.
Another common explanation is one old or just 'odd' string.
- timtam
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Re: My saddles don’t look “right”. Is this normal?
Hmmm ... that is a little odd .. but not too much.
BTW I had edited my original post while you were replying because I realized I was looking at the wrong string in your original pic.
Just out of interest .... how far from the strings are your pickups ?
BTW I had edited my original post while you were replying because I realized I was looking at the wrong string in your original pic.
Just out of interest .... how far from the strings are your pickups ?
"I just knew I wanted to make a sound that was the complete opposite of a Les Paul, and that’s pretty much a Jaguar." Rowland S. Howard.
- RoséBear
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Re: My saddles don’t look “right”. Is this normal?
I’ve got a Novak WRHB in the bridge and the v-mod that came with the American professional in the neck.
Bridge: 2.7mm on both sides
Neck:2mm on both sides
- prospect
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- RoséBear
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- andy_tchp
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Re: My saddles don’t look “right”. Is this normal?
If it's intonated there's no issue whatsoever.
"I don't know why we asked him to join the band 'cause the rest of us don't like country music all that much; we just like Graham Lee."
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David McComb, 1987.
- Telliot
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Re: My saddles don’t look “right”. Is this normal?
This. If it’s in tune all the way up the neck, you’re golden.
The cool thing about fretless is you can hit a note...and then renegotiate.