Bridge Slotting:

My 59 Replica arrived with a Gotoh small-pin, ABR-1 style bridge. It has what I would describe as "starter slots" for the strings and all are the same width. In the past, I have slotted with a Dremel, 3.5mm tapered diamond burr by hand, which gives a round profile I can match to the string. Some claim a square notch from a saw blade is better.

Since I tend to use and prefer the roller bridges, (for their gentle roller profile) I wanted to ask if guys would be kind enough to post some of the saddle profiles they have. I'm interested to see what's being used.

Thanks...

It is weird they are all the same. Are the saddle brass? If so I would probably just do what you said and run a file through them just to make sure they don't have any burrs.

gball said:

It is weird they are all the same. Are the saddle brass? If so I would probably just do what you said and run a file through them just to make sure they don't have any burrs.

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I was thinking file first for correct width, then round with a 3.5mm diamond burr. You want these slots squared-up and not mimicking the string angle like a nut slot, correct?????

Robert Herndon said:

I was thinking file first for correct width, then round with a 3.5mm diamond burr. You want these slots squared-up and not mimicking the string angle like a nut slot, correct?????

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No idea to be honest. When I have installed bridges that have no slots I have used the hammer method and when I've used ones with slots I've just made sure they didn't have anything to snag the string. Never really gave any thought to the shape of the slot and never had any problems with string breakage or intonation.

gball said:

No idea to be honest. When I have installed bridges that have no slots I have used the hammer method and when I've used ones with slots I've just made sure they didn't have anything to snag the string. Never really gave any thought to the shape of the slot and never had any problems with string breakage or intonation.

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I used my 3.5mm diamond burr, then shaped the slot to a rounded profile with a welding tip cleaner. I used Gibson's published specs on slot width...

Looks perfect. Just like the ones on my Gibbies.

Nicely done..