Official Luthiers Forum!

I'm building a solidbody and the bridge I've chosen is a Schaller hardtail roller bridge. This may sound like a stupid question but what is the rule regarding locating the proper position for the bridge? I'm not having trouble with the centering but it's the distance from 12th fret. I've already removed the bridge and plugged one set of holes because intonation was not happening. I need to move it farther from the fretboard. It's a standard fender 25.5 scale and I guess what I'm asking is what part of a bridge do you use as a reference when positioning it so your intonation is correct. Thanks

Have you checked the StewMac fret scale calculator?

Besides giving fret locations, it tells where to put the bridge.

I'd start there to see if if varies much from where you put it.

Kevin Looker

_________________
I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

Use the first string saddle (roller) to measure.

Adjust the first string roller saddle, if needed, to get 25 1/2" that it still has enough adjustment to shorten scale length to 25 7/16-3/8".
( I measure from fretboard side of nut to center of roller.)

With the first string set to scale length leaving a little to shorten if needed- when you square up the bridge you should have plenty of adjustment left to set intonation on the rest.

I've used that bridge many times. Excellent IMO. I've never measured anything but the first string for setting the distance of the bridge/saddle.
If the first string is set to scale length and has a small amount to set less - if there isn't enough adjustment left on the bridge to pull the 6th string back setting it's intonation...well something is bad wrong. ( a problem I never had)

It may be a hassle for some when changing strings if they are not prepared to reset the string spread because the rollers can easily move. ( I supplied a little "homemade" string spread scale)

I also had a buzz with one. It was the roller....weird...I'd lift the string, roll it just a little and it would stop buzzing. Only issue I've had with that model of bridge.

Stew Mac's calculation on this bridge is off by about 3/16" too long.
Move the saddles toward the nut end of the bridge, about 3/4 of their range. Measure from the nut to the saddles and place the bridge so that measurement is your scale length.

Mike, try a drop of lacquer to lock the rollers in place, it will help with both issues. I don't see a need for the rollers to roll unless some sort of trem, string bender or detuner is employed.

I placed my bridge exactly per Sandywood and it worked perfectly with ample wiggle room.
Great bridge BTW.

_________________
wah
Wah-wah-wah-wah
Wah

That's a great suggestion.

Thanks everyone for the help. I'm gonna get to work on it right now. Y'all are the best. Next hurdle will be custom pickguard and pickup routing. You may hear from me again, Cheers