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I previously posted a question about compensated saddles.
I got 1 answer which is fine...no one else knows anything about them??

Does anyone use Comp. saddles?

Thanks a lot!!
Walter

Of course everyone compensates their saddles by adding length to the scale in the location of the saddle and by installing it at an angle so the the treble strings are shorter than the bass and I even make ajustments to the two unwound strings but I don't individually compensate the rest of the strings. It doesn't seem to me that it has been neccesary. Maybe I just don't hear well enough.

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

Hey Walter,

I build classicals using the Gilbert system of compensation, so usually I don't need to compensate the saddle beyond what I do at first, which is to set it back 0.060" -- well, maybe I'll add a touch more setback on the G string, but that's about it.

The best discussion I've read so far on the subject of intonating the saddle on a steel string is found in Jim Williams' Guitarmaker's Manual. He uses a piece of a string --- like an E string or B string -- which he sets crossways on the saddle. Then sets the string atop this string, and tunes it to pitch. Then, using a tuner, he checks the octaves, and moves the string pieces backward and forward on the saddle until the octaves match. Then you just mark that spot, and file accordingly.

Best,

Michael
Michael McBroom38616.5084722222

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Live to Play, Play to Live

Walter I take the approch that each string should be individually compensated (Daaa dumb statment) What I mean to say is that after the compensated angle that saddle of a steel string is mounted at i.e. the routed slot, I intonate each string by adjusting the the break over point on the saddle. then I blend these points for a smooth edge on the saddle. The 2nd or B string always need a bit more length added than the rest but I do not approach this as a given. Instead I let the meter tell me what needs to be done. I would not ever try to make a universial standard compensated saddle or even a base starting compensation other than the angle of the saddle slot. The odds of it being good to go are slim to none, and the odds of it being comensated the wrong way are great. IMOMichaelP38616.5553703704

Walter,
I compensate every one of my saddles, each string. I am probably the only Buzz Feiten Retro guy on this forum and such do a lot of intonation work. Some people like BFTS others don't. I hear a difference. It's not magic but it is patented ( for what that is worth). If you go to Truefire.com and do a search on my name it should pull up several articles I wrote regarding BFTS and compensation and some comparisons of systems. It's a little too lengthy to talk about here. Also, If you visit Buzz's site...Buzzfeiten.com there should be some good info. Mike Doolin has a seven or eight part/volume explaination on compensation etc. It is THE very best I have seen so far( what else do you expect from Mike!). Make sure you down load that one!

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"