As I understand the design, the slot runs parallel to the strings so the saddles can move forward or back, while the set screw has to run 90 degrees to the slot in order to tighten against the side of the slot to lock it in place.marqueemoon wrote: ↑Tue Feb 05, 2019 6:36 amOne thing I’m wondering is if the saddles can be flipped around couldn’t the set screw be in front of/behind the slot? That would mean the string would need to come out of the slot to lock down intonation of course, but would allow heftier set screws to be used.
The bridge could then be shipped with the saddle in the correct orientation for E-E standard tuning and end users can flip them around if needed.
You can flip the saddle and tighten the set screw against either side of the slot.
I would be concerned that given the screw is pushing down as much as sideways, it may tend to push the saddle up out of the slot somewhat.
I would also be concerned that over time the metal would be galled by the set screw, and a small change in location would be hard to lock due to their being an indentation/ burr at the last setting location.
You could use a harder metal for the body and a softer metal for the screws, to allow the screw to deform/ gall under pressure, but with the need to machine the bridge body it would need to be hardened after machining. Brass set screws might be soft enough, but the allen heads would be easy to strip.
While the new design sorta cries out for a new adjustment/ locking system, maybe the old screw forward/ back adjustment could do the due while keeping the other improvements. Or maybe the set screws can be made to work on the bench, and bugs can be worked out.