Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi folks

I am trying to figure out an easy way to temporarily attach a bridge with a pre-installed saddle to check intonation before permenantly glueung it on. I read this tip from Dan at Stewmac https://www.stewmac.com/How-To/Online_R ... it_on.html
It sounds great but he Doesnt say what he would do if it is in the wrong place. Does he patch the bridge pin holes and try again?

_________________
Alain
_______

Watch this video, starting at the 3 minute mark. I have done this exact thing, and it works fine. It is basically a makeshift tailpiece.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6KtnjoD1N0

Very nice, easy, and simple. That’s great. I’ve seen others with a similar apparatus that’s way more complicated. This looks easy. Thanks Don!!

_________________
Alain
_______

Side question - out of curiosity - is it common to do this when the bridge is pre-slotted? Every instrument I’ve built had the saddle slot routed after the bridge was already attached.

Why would it not just be a measuring activity?

Thanks! Always learning.

Brad


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

_________________
Insta - https://www.instagram.com/cbcguitars/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cbcguitars

There was an article in American Lutherie in the recent past. Basically the idea was to build a padded channel shaped piece that would fit over the end and act as a tailpiece. A tailpiece applies enough down component to hold a floating bridge in place, it would work just fine for a preslotted standard bridge. Obviously you get a slightly different sound because of the difference in the way a floating and pinned bridge drive the top but it would work well enough to do your intonation and check geometry.

I could go look for the article if it would be helpful.

Brad—

If someone cuts the slot before gluing on the bridge, I think it is more common that they just measure carefully and/or use a Saddlematic type device to place the bridge for proper intonation. I like using the tailpiece, but I think it is less common. Either way works.