Saddle position

Technical Talk and Tips
User avatar
meowmix
Posts: 499
Joined: Fri Dec 31, 2010 3:09 pm
Location: California

Saddle position

Post by meowmix »

I looked at the G&L documents and nothing said about saddle placement.
What I have found online is

http://tinyurl.com/d7wt2ad
First, determine the scale of your guitar. Measure from the body-side of the nut to precisely over the 12th Fret. If you double this measurement, you have the scale of your guitar.

Using the distance from the nut to the 12th fret (we’ll call this measurement “x”), measure from the 12th fret to the bridge. Using the screws on the back of the saddle, set the individual saddles to the following specs:

Note: I find it is easier to make the initial adjustments with the strings loosened. Once you set the saddles, tune the guitar back to pitch.

Low E: 1/8” longer than X
A: 1/16” longer than X
D: 1/32” longer than X
G: 1/8” longer than X
B: 1/16” longer than X
High E: 1/32” longer than X
What does G&L recommend?
User avatar
Craig
Site Admin
Posts: 11349
Joined: Tue Mar 03, 2009 10:52 am
Location: Either Coto De Caza, CA or Paso Robles, CA

Re: Saddle position

Post by Craig »

meowmix wrote:I looked at the G&L documents and nothing said about saddle placement.
What I have found online is

http://tinyurl.com/d7wt2ad
First, determine the scale of your guitar. Measure from the body-side of the nut to precisely over the 12th Fret. If you double this measurement, you have the scale of your guitar.

Using the distance from the nut to the 12th fret (we’ll call this measurement “x”), measure from the 12th fret to the bridge. Using the screws on the back of the saddle, set the individual saddles to the following specs:

Note: I find it is easier to make the initial adjustments with the strings loosened. Once you set the saddles, tune the guitar back to pitch.

Low E: 1/8” longer than X
A: 1/16” longer than X
D: 1/32” longer than X
G: 1/8” longer than X
B: 1/16” longer than X
High E: 1/32” longer than X
What does G&L recommend?
Those settings above are probably good starting points.
The final location of each saddle is determined by setting the intonation of the string on it.
I will see if I can get the starting distances that the factory uses prior to final setup.

Stay tuned. ;)

:ugeek:
--Craig [co-webmaster of guitarsbyleo.com, since Oct. 16, 2000]
Welcome! Read This First
Got a G&L question? Check out the: G&L Knowledgebase
Current G&L Specifications and Options
louis cyfer
Posts: 3011
Joined: Tue Oct 25, 2011 2:58 pm

Re: Saddle position

Post by louis cyfer »

meowmix wrote:I looked at the G&L documents and nothing said about saddle placement.
What I have found online is

http://tinyurl.com/d7wt2ad
First, determine the scale of your guitar. Measure from the body-side of the nut to precisely over the 12th Fret. If you double this measurement, you have the scale of your guitar.

Using the distance from the nut to the 12th fret (we’ll call this measurement “x”), measure from the 12th fret to the bridge. Using the screws on the back of the saddle, set the individual saddles to the following specs:

Note: I find it is easier to make the initial adjustments with the strings loosened. Once you set the saddles, tune the guitar back to pitch.

Low E: 1/8” longer than X
A: 1/16” longer than X
D: 1/32” longer than X
G: 1/8” longer than X
B: 1/16” longer than X
High E: 1/32” longer than X
What does G&L recommend?
just intonate your guitar. those are your saddle positions. determined by a tuner, not a tape measure.
User avatar
meowmix
Posts: 499
Joined: Fri Dec 31, 2010 3:09 pm
Location: California

Re: Saddle position

Post by meowmix »

It is from my understanding of how a luthier works. Have a starting position and move from there.
By being in the general area will speed things up a bit. From the website, it seems all S-type guitar saddles look the same.
FenderGuy53
Posts: 45
Joined: Sat Jul 21, 2012 9:15 am
Location: North Carolina

Re: Saddle position

Post by FenderGuy53 »

meowmix wrote:It is from my understanding of how a luthier works. Have a starting position and move from there.
By being in the general area will speed things up a bit. From the website, it seems all S-type guitar saddles look the same.
On the High E string, adjust the distance from the nut (fretboard side) to the front of the bridge saddle to 25.5" (the scale length of your guitar), by moving the saddle up or back with the adjustment screw at the back of the bridge.

Once the High E string is set, you stagger the remaining saddles like this:

Image

It simply a starting pattern. The final positioning will occur when you intonate the guitar.

I hope this helps.
Fender American Special Telecaster/Fender SE Custom Telecaster Spalted Maple HH > Joyos/Ditto > Crate V1512T/Fender BJr