Lowering the action with a saddle lock bridge

[Professor Plunk]

Hi everyone. The action on my new Tribute ASAT Deluxe Carved Top is a little too high for my taste. I'd like to lower the strings a little but I am not sure which screws on the saddle lock bridge will allow me to do that. There are screws everywhere: on the saddles, on the sides of the bridge, even between some saddles. Which one(s) should I use to change the action? I did some research but I couldn't find relevant information anywhere.

Thanks.

[john o]

hi professor,
each saddle of the bridge has 2 small screws for which your smallest allen wrench which came with the guitar can be used to raise/lower the height of the string.

[Craig]

I just added this post: G&L Saddle-Lock bridge details.
Also, see this post: How-To Guide.

Hope this helps.

[Professor Plunk]

Thanks for your help, but it seems that I can't bring the saddles any lower than they already are, even though they don't look to be at the bottom of their course (there still is a small space between the bottom of the saddles and the bridge) . I can only raise them by turning the allen screws clockwise. If I turn counterclockwise, I'll just end up removing the screw from its hole.
I also don't really understand the effect of the bigger Allen screw on the side of the bridge, since I can still move the saddles even when it's tightened.
Also, why is there two screws on top of each saddles?

I hope I am making myself clear, but it's not easy to explain it all in English (or any language).

[KenC]

The screw on the side of the bridge is used to press the saddles together and make them vibrate as one big mass. It is possible to move the individual saddles up slightly when that screw is tight, but that will cause the allen screws in the saddles to strip out if you try too hard. If the side screw is tight, the screws on the saddles will back out if you turn them counter-clockwise, just like you've described.

First make sure the screw on the side of the bridge is loose. It just needs to be loose enough to turn freely.

Next try lowering the saddles again. Each saddle should move independently of the others if the side screw is loose enough. If they don't, try pinching each string just beyond its saddle and wiggling it side-to-side. That can loosen any saddles that have stuck to each other.

Get the string heights you want, adjust intonation as needed, and lightly tighten the side screw.

I hope this helps!

Ken

[john o]

Hi everyone. The action on my new Tribute ASAT Deluxe Carved Top is a little too high for my taste. I'd like to lower the strings a little but I am not sure which screws on the saddle lock bridge will allow me to do that. There are screws everywhere: on the saddles, on the sides of the bridge, even between some saddles. Which one(s) should I use to change the action? I did some research but I couldn't find relevant information anywhere.

Thanks.

if your bridge saddles are down low already and the action is too high for your liking, you need to shim the neck. i just did this on my trib asat special last week and it worked well. i used a business card for the shim, just 1 is adequate. remove the strings, remove the neck, cut the business card to fit the neck pocket nearest to the body, put 2 small holes in the card where the 2 screws will go through. I cut the card so the shim was about 1.3 inches. put the card in the neck pocket, put the neck back on. careful not to overtighten the neck screws. raise the bridge saddles a little before restringing, because the strings will be much closer to the frets after reattaching the neck. restring, then adjust the bridge saddles to desired string action, then set intonation, then set the side "lock screw". this made a big difference for my asat. hope it does for yours. good luck

[WitSok]

First make sure the screw on the side of the bridge is loose. It just needs to be loose enough to turn freely.

Ken

I agree sounds like the side screw is not loose.

Dan

[Elwood]

The only other thing I can think of is if the saddle is pulled tight against the bridge ( intonation screw max. clockwise) ,
I've seen that prevent the slight amount of slack necessary to allow the saddles to sit on the plate.
...just a thought. How about a pic?

[KenC]

How about a pic?

+1. That would help a lot.

Ken

[Professor Plunk]

I'm not at home right now and I don't have my guitar around, but I'll post a picture as soon as I can. Thanks!

[ched]

I have a 1982 F100. with saddlle block bridge
What size allen wrench do I use to adjust the two saddle height screws ??

[john o]

thats a small allen wrench, 0.05 inch

[Craig]

I have a 1982 F100. with saddlle block bridge
What size allen wrench do I use to adjust the two saddle height screws ??

See: Can you tell me which allen wrenches I need for my G&L?.

Hope this helps.