Best way to raise a saddle slightly

michelew
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Sat Nov 14, 2009 1:59 am

Thanks Chas that's useful. The links to previous chapters were good too.

ta

Michele


michelew
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Sat Nov 28, 2009 8:55 pm

I'm reposting my response to another thread "Saddles - best material..." here to just complete this thread.


As requested, this is an update on my progress. I have installed the new Tusq saddle. Actually I've disassembled, sanded, reassembled about 4 or 5 times already (I've lost track) to ensure that I didn't overshoot and not end up raising the saddle height, which was the objective. It is incredible how different minor changes to string height can make to playability.

So the results. We'll in the end I've only raised it by a fraction, maybe 1/2 a mm - I only have a ruler with mm on in it. I will get on with 1/16 of a inch on it when I can.

THe sound - there is an incredible difference I'm really surprised. It is a clearer, sharper, louder and a more complex sound. There are more tones in each note. It is really quite amazing. It's a big change for the $20 investment.

It's been fun too. I feel more confident about making minor adjustments to my guitar too. Although, I don't think I'll be touching the tress rod or the nut anytime soon.

Gary - thanks for the capo trick - it's been a godsend. And you were spot on about needing to turn the saddle around from time to time while sanding.

Now I'm thinking about a bone saddle, buffalo horn pins and ebony pins. That won't be for a while. But, if the tusq saddle makes that much of a difference, what might the full overhaul accomplish?

Thanks to everyone for all your great advice. It's been a fun adventure and I'm loving the new sound.


quincy451
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Sat Nov 28, 2009 11:09 pm

Well, congrads on a successful result. As for what next. Given this is a steel string guitar and you are thinking of bridge pins I would jump on that. Simply because they are right near the saddle which is closer to the center of your sound than your nut. The nut is good to replace if you want to change the action at the nut.

I did the nut for completeness on my classical. I can say it is a lot harder to keep your sanding straight and level with that than the saddle. It is also just more sanding. I recommend a small vise and
a rotary sanding tool. That is how I finished mine.

But I was successful in getting something to work. I actually made the new nut higher than the old one by a bit thinking it would add control in fret positions 1 to 4 against buzzing. But for me it made bar chords in those positions way to hard and open chords unpleasant. So I went lower than the original. But not a lot. Made bar chording real nice.

I had an advantage in dealing with a classical. The original action was sky high. And I had a steel string with fairly low action as well as the guide lines that came with the TUSQ nut and saddle which recommended a string height at the 12tn and first fret. So I tried to do it in shot. Takes a ruler that goes down to 1/64 of an inch and lost of measurements.

Just think if my new guitar does not turnout to be absolute junk...i will most likely be doing it all over again. Might wait until I do the K&K pure classic pickup with vintage jack install. Yea I will wind up spending more for the pickup than the guitar.


michelew
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Sun Nov 29, 2009 12:33 am

Thanks. I've now got Tusq pins too, which I assume have contributed to the new sounds. It was a saddle and pins 'supercharger' kit. I won't be doing the nut as it is glued in and that is too specialised for me. I'm happy with the results, so I don't want to mess it up and end up without a functional guitar. The next alteration, if there is one, won't be for a long time. How long? Anyone's guess.


quincy451
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Sun Nov 29, 2009 6:28 am

michelew wrote:
Thanks. I've now got Tusq pins too, which I assume have contributed to the new sounds. It was a saddle and pins 'supercharger' kit. I won't be doing the nut as it is glued in and that is too specialised for me. I'm happy with the results, so I don't want to mess it up and end up without a functional guitar. The next alteration, if there is one, won't be for a long time. How long? Anyone's guess.
Awe the glue remember it well. Tried various things to get my glue to give up the nut. I box cutter along the back. No joy. Box cutter along the front...wrong move. The glue is only along the back side of the nut.

I finally took a flat head screw driver and gave it a good pop forward to the front of the guitar with a hammer. Off it came. I got some high viscosity super glue to use in gluing the new one on. But you only do that step when you are ready to sign off on being done with adjustments. I am but don't want to loosen the strings to get the glue up there. So the string pressure holds mine in place. That works well.


michelew
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Sun Nov 29, 2009 6:43 am

Sounds scary. You're more adventurous than me.


Chasplaya
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Sun Nov 29, 2009 3:32 pm

HI Michele,

Isn't it a great feeling when you do your own work! Especially when it makes the improvements you've been seeking.

I just changed the strings on my Alhambra and the Nut fell off :( I didn't have any hide glue so its back only with string pressure at present, but the sound is not 100% anymore so I need to get that fixed, but I may consider a new Nut, bone probably or I'll check out Tusq, undecided at present.


michelew
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Sun Nov 29, 2009 4:04 pm

Absolutely. And that sounds like a good opportunity to do some exploration and buy some new tools. Good luck and enjoy.


quincy451
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Sun Nov 29, 2009 8:43 pm

Chasplaya wrote:
HI Michele,

Isn't it a great feeling when you do your own work! Especially when it makes the improvements you've been seeking.

I just changed the strings on my Alhambra and the Nut fell off :( I didn't have any hide glue so its back only with string pressure at present, but the sound is not 100% anymore so I need to get that fixed, but I may consider a new Nut, bone probably or I'll check out Tusq, undecided at present.
humm...your making me think I should put the glue I bought on my guitar nut. I didn't have anything to compare it to so didn't know I was missing anything. The references I saw on nut installation recommend high viscosity super glue which is what I bought. And they say to only put in on the back of the nut. If it gets down to the bottom you could have more trouble than you one if you want to replace or adjust it.


ffsooo3
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Mon Nov 30, 2009 8:01 am

Chasplaya wrote:
I just changed the strings on my Alhambra and the Nut fell off :( I didn't have any hide glue so its back only with string pressure at present, but the sound is not 100% anymore so I need to get that fixed, but I may consider a new Nut, bone probably or I'll check out Tusq, undecided at present.
That's interesting. I have always wondered what affect the nut plays in the "sound/tone of a guitar" once you've fingered a fret. Of course the sound/tone of open strings would be directly affected by the nut.


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