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| Author: | Mark Groza [ Tue Mar 01, 2011 10:13 am ] |
| Post subject: | Adjustable saddles |
Ever since i've been building acoustic guitars, i've wondered why i didn't see more acoustic guitars with adjustable saddles. Almost all electrics have the ability to adjust intonation. So why do you think acoustics don't need that option? Could it be tradition? I know there are some acoustic guitars out there with the adjustable saddles and i'd like to see some. Any pictures? |
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| Author: | Alain Moisan [ Tue Mar 01, 2011 10:23 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Adjustable saddles |
Every adjustable saddle systems that I've seen were all quite heavy. Big metal frame with screws to adjust the height. Unless someone can figure out a system that will not add 50g-75g to the bridge, I don't think we'll see any of this on high end guitars. (Or at least high end guitars that sound good...  )
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| Author: | gozierdt [ Tue Mar 01, 2011 11:04 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Adjustable saddles |
Acoustic guitars depend on the bridge/saddle system to transfer energy into the soundbox, so that system has to be light and rigid. Electric guitars use transducers to pick up the strings vibrations, so they don't need to worry if the strings energy gets to a soundbox. They are both heavy, and not rigid in the way an acoustic bridge needs to be. That's why solid-body electrics work at all. |
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| Author: | Mark Groza [ Tue Mar 01, 2011 11:33 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Adjustable saddles |
I do believe that there are adjustable acoustic bridges out there that don't weigh any more than a regular one. Maby less weight as the saddles would be smaller if only on each string. 
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| Author: | Eric Reid [ Tue Mar 01, 2011 1:45 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Adjustable saddles |
Most of the adjustable saddles I've seen on acoustics were heavy and prone to buzzing. I've seen a couple that seemed to work okay. One was on a Manuel Rodriguez classical. It looked like this: Attachment: images.jpg There are no adjustment screws, but the individual saddles are a tight friction fit in their channels. String tension locks them in place. It's not much of a job to slack the strings, and tap the saddles forward or back to dial in intonation. The guitar sounded fine. It's not a feature I'd want on my guitar, but if a player loved the sound of carbon trebles (which have very inconsistent intonation), and was a stickler for precise intonation, it might be a solution. I made a bridge for a flat top mandolin years ago that had a height adjustment feature that has worked out well. I don't have a picture. Schematically it worked like the adjustable bridges on many arch top guitars and mandolins. There wasn't room for the usual thumb wheel adjustment, so I made the top piece solid bone and tapped holes in the bone itself for stainless socket head set screws. These rest on the ebony bass of the bridge. Height adjustment is easy with a small allen wrench. The tone and volume on this mandolin has impressed everyone who's heard it. It's a Flatiron mandolin, not something I made. The bridge has stood up well to 15 years of playing. |
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| Author: | double-a [ Tue Mar 01, 2011 11:44 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Adjustable saddles |
Take a peek at Steve Klein's accoustic. Model L45.7C. It looks pretty sweet to me, but I'm not sure what the mechanics of them are. Very nice guitar according to the critiques I've read, but the bridge would be beyond my skill level.  Allen |
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| Author: | Jeffrey L. Suits [ Wed Mar 02, 2011 12:36 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Adjustable saddles |
I recall the late John Pearse mentioning that he had an idea, that was never brought to market. |
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| Author: | Mark Groza [ Wed Mar 02, 2011 4:55 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Adjustable saddles |
WOW! No pictures yet?  They must be pretty rare then. 
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| Author: | Haans [ Wed Mar 02, 2011 5:08 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Adjustable saddles |
I think one could possibly be made light enough, but I think the footprint would necessarily be too large. Most of my 6 string bridges are 1" and that pretty much covers saddle and pins. I've got a couple of ideas I might try though...sounds like a fun "spare time" project. |
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| Author: | Jeffrey L. Suits [ Wed Mar 02, 2011 8:26 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Adjustable saddles |
And, oddly enough, this current thread at frets.net: http://fretsnet.ning.com/forum/topics/r ... ble-saddle |
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| Author: | Alain Moisan [ Wed Mar 02, 2011 8:59 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Adjustable saddles |
Jeffrey L. Suits wrote: And, oddly enough, this current thread at frets.net: http://fretsnet.ning.com/forum/topics/r ... ble-saddle Wow! I'm not sure I'm convinced of the practicality of this system, but still, wow... |
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| Author: | lactose [ Wed Mar 02, 2011 11:34 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Adjustable saddles |
There is that bridge Gruen uses with the wedge you tap in to raise the action.  http://www.gruenacousticguitars.com/bio.html |
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| Author: | Haans [ Thu Mar 03, 2011 6:18 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Adjustable saddles |
I thought we were talkin' intonation, not height... |
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| Author: | TonyKarol [ Thu Mar 03, 2011 7:48 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Adjustable saddles |
As interesting as that threaded insert bridge is .. it really doesnt address either problem .. yes you can change action, but only by half revolutions of the insert at best .. if the saddle break isnt dead centre, then you can only adjust by one full revolution, as turning it half way round would change the intonation break point. |
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| Author: | BlueBellyGuitars [ Thu Mar 03, 2011 9:14 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Adjustable saddles |
I think it was hit on in an earlier post. "Transfer of Tone". The ability to fine tune intonation to an obsessive/compulsive perfection just doesn't help anything if you have to forfeit one bit of tone. |
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| Author: | Haans [ Thu Mar 03, 2011 9:33 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Adjustable saddles |
Well put. |
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| Author: | Mark Groza [ Thu Mar 03, 2011 11:38 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Adjustable saddles |
TonyKarol wrote: As interesting as that threaded insert bridge is .. it really doesnt address either problem .. yes you can change action, but only by half revolutions of the insert at best .. if the saddle break isnt dead centre, then you can only adjust by one full revolution, as turning it half way round would change the intonation break point. I agree with Tony. This bridge is not very adjustable for anything. I'm mainly looking for intonation adjustment. As that is what would be the hardest to correct with a normal saddle that might be off from string gage changes or distance changes from nut to neck from age. |
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| Author: | Ricardo [ Thu Mar 03, 2011 12:15 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Adjustable saddles |
Lactose, I'm amazed at the shallow angle from the bridge to the tailpiece. According to Benedetto it should be 14 - 16 degrees. My ES-175 clone is closer to 7 degrees and I'm thinking of changing my tailpiece to get a greater angle. I'd appreciate feedback on how this angle affects sound. |
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