Tele saddle

Placidcasual79

More help needed good people of FB.

I put a genuine Fender three brass saddle bridge on my MIM tele a few weeks ago. Looks great, but it seems to have affected the B string a little. From what I can see (and I could be wrong) the string seems to be catching the screw with which you adjust the height of the saddle. 

Any suggestions on how to remedy this? Could I make a little groove for the string to sit in?

Any help greatly appreciated

richardhomer

Placidcasual79 said:

More help needed good people of FB.

I put a genuine Fender three brass saddle bridge on my MIM tele a few weeks ago. Looks great, but it seems to have affected the B string a little. From what I can see (and I could be wrong) the string seems to be catching the screw with which you adjust the height of the saddle. 

Any suggestions on how to remedy this? Could I make a little groove for the string to sit in?

Any help greatly appreciated

File a shallow groove on the back of the saddle - best avoid the top as it can create sitar-like overtones, if done badly.

Placidcasual79

richardhomer said:

File a shallow groove on the back of the saddle - best avoid the top as it can create sitar-like overtones, if done badly.

Thanks Richard. Sorry - I don't follow. The underside of the saddle? How would that help prevent the string from muting itself on the screw? Sorry if I am being slow....

richardhomer

Placidcasual79 said:
Thanks Richard. Sorry - I don't follow. The underside of the saddle? How would that help prevent the string from muting itself on the screw? Sorry if I am being slow....

No - the string passes over the saddle and through a hole in the bridge. If you file a shallow groove where the string touches the saddle - but not on the top, it will hold the string in place when it's under tension.

Placidcasual79

richardhomer said:

Placidcasual79 said:
Thanks Richard. Sorry - I don't follow. The underside of the saddle? How would that help prevent the string from muting itself on the screw? Sorry if I am being slow....

No - the string passes over the saddle and through a hole in the bridge. If you file a shallow groove where the string touches the saddle - but not on the top, it will hold the string in place when it's under tension.

I am sorry Richard. I really appreciate your advice but I am not following...... your suggesting filling a groove almost at the back of the saddle before the string goes through the body of the guitar......

Apologies if I am not getting you Richard.

richardhomer

Placidcasual79 said:
I am sorry Richard. I really appreciate your advice but I am not following...... your suggesting filling a groove almost at the back of the saddle before the string goes through the body of the guitar......

Apologies if I am not getting you Richard.

Yes - exactly that.

To help you visualise it - you should be holding the file at about 45 degrees, so the groove (looking at the saddle from the playing position) is at 1.00-2.00 o'clock (12.00 being the top - where the string runs off the saddle, towards the neck).

ICBM

Put threaded steel saddles on. They work better and sound better.















Sorry, couldn't resist . Otherwise, what richardhomer said.

Placidcasual79

richardhomer said:

Placidcasual79 said:
I am sorry Richard. I really appreciate your advice but I am not following...... your suggesting filling a groove almost at the back of the saddle before the string goes through the body of the guitar......

Apologies if I am not getting you Richard.

Yes - exactly that.

To help you visualise it - you should be holding the file at about 45 degrees, so the groove (looking at the saddle from the playing position) is at 1.00-2.00 o'clock (12.00 being the top - where the string runs off the saddle, towards the neck).

Got you. Thanks @richardhomer - sorry I was a bit slow off the mark there!!! What sort of file would I need to make a groove in brass?

richardhomer

Placidcasual79 said:
Got you. Thanks @richardhomer - sorry I was a bit slow off the mark there!!! What sort of file would I need to make a groove in brass?

Just a small, tapered three-cornered one. You don't need to cut very deep - less than half the thinkness of the string should suffice - just enough for the string to 'click' into when you slide it across the saddle. May sure the groove is not rough, or has any burrs on it, as there's a risk you'll break strings as a result.

Placidcasual79

richardhomer said:

Placidcasual79 said:
Got you. Thanks @richardhomer - sorry I was a bit slow off the mark there!!! What sort of file would I need to make a groove in brass?

Just a small, tapered three-cornered one. You don't need to cut very deep - less than half the thinkness of the string should suffice - just enough for the string to 'click' into when you slide it across the saddle. May sure the groove is not rough, or has any burrs on it, as there's a risk you'll break strings as a result.

Thanks again. I might ask some one to do this as I don't have the tools and have never attempted anything like this before....

I know a Luthier who might help.......

Placidcasual79

Sorry - just to add - thanks @richardhomer for taking the time to give me a steer. Appreciate it mate!

richardhomer

Placidcasual79 said:

Sorry - just to add - thanks @richardhomer for taking the time to give me a steer. Appreciate it mate!

You're welcome. Hope you get it sorted.

Placidcasual79

@richardhomer I attempted to make a small groove for the string to sit in. I used a Stanley knife and it worked a treat - the string sits perfectly and is stable - it hasn't affected the intonation at either so I am really pleased.

Thanks again!

richardhomer

Placidcasual79 said:

@richardhomer I attempted to make a small groove for the string to sit in. I used a Stanley knife and it worked a treat - the string sits perfectly and is stable - it hasn't affected the intonation at either so I am really pleased.

Thanks again!

Great - glad it worked. Basic guitar maintenance/set up is pretty straight-forward. There's no need to pay someone to do most things....

Placidcasual79

richardhomer said:

Great - glad it worked. Basic guitar maintenance/set up is pretty straight-forward. There's no need to pay someone to do most things....

Yes - I guess its a matter of confidence, and there is great help and advice available on here too. I feel more attached to this guitar now I've put my own bridge and plate on it.

I wonder if its difficult to change the jack?