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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?

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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Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

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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Gene

Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason- Mark Twain

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.

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:
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.

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

I recall the late John Pearse mentioning that he had an idea, that was never brought to market.

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https://soundcloud.com/jeffreylsuits/he ... -runnin-13

WOW! No pictures yet? They must be pretty rare then.

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.

And, oddly enough, this current thread at frets.net: http://fretsnet.ning.com/forum/topics/r ... ble-saddle

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https://soundcloud.com/jeffreylsuits/he ... -runnin-13

Wow! I'm not sure I'm convinced of the practicality of this system, but still, wow...

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Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

There is that bridge Gruen uses with the wedge you tap in to raise the action.



http://www.gruenacousticguitars.com/bio.html

I thought we were talkin' intonation, not height...

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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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

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.

Well put.

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.

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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A higher purpose for wood.
Rich Smith
Issaquah, WA