ABR-1 Saddle Placement

[Inspector #20]

With my 14" custom fretboard radius, I only have a Stewie-Mac ABR-1 and a Roller TOM as bridge choices.

I notice the saddles face odd directions on many ABR-1's. What's correct???

G/B/E slope towards bridge??? All slopes towards bridge???

????

 

[DonP]

If the saddle needs to be near the back of the bridge for intonation, put the slope at the front, and vice versa

 

[DonP]

Should have added. This is where stopbar height is important. If it is low, the string will be trying to tip the saddle forwards, stressing the adjustment screw needlessly. So the usual rule - same break angle both sides of the bridge if possible. As close as possible if not.

 

[Inspector #20]

If the saddle needs to be near the back of the bridge for intonation, put the slope at the front, and vice versa

So placement is based only on intonation???

The one I am looking at on Stewie-Mac has E/A/D slope towards nut and G/B/E slope towards bridge...

 

[DonP]

Yup, just get the underside centred in the bridge channel as well as possible.

 

[Inspector #20]

If the saddle needs to be near the back of the bridge for intonation, put the slope at the front, and vice versa

My documented genuine 2016 Gibson SG took a stack of Faber shims to get the tailpiece up far enough to keep the strings off the bridge!

 

[DonP]

Still not quite as high as optimum, but good enough. The awful neck set angle is what you are fighting here.

 

[Inspector #20]

Still not quite as high as optimum, but good enough. The awful neck set angle is what you are fighting here.

Exactly!

Plays well. Very low action. Bad neck angle!

 

[DonP]

Exactly!

Plays well. Very low action. Bad neck angle!

That'll do for me.

 

[Inspector #20]

That'll do for me.

Don...what you think about the Stewie-Mac ABR-1 4566-G???

It's listed as having a 14" radius.

 

[Inspector #20]

That'll do for me.

Why don't they point the intonation screw towards the tailpiece???

Ahhh...so strings don't rub them!

 

[DonP]

Isn't the bridge reversible?

And I've never tried that bridge, but it looks to be of pretty good quality.

 

[Bocc69]

Robert, I've been dealing with all of that.

You can see, my low E is all the way back, so it has to slope toward pick up.

For some reason, the A string was hitting the screw, now and then. Not exactly sure why, but I raised the action just a bit to eliminate that. I need to spend some more time with it, because I want lower action, and the neck can handle it.

 

[Inspector #20]

Robert, I've been dealing with all of that.

You can see, my low E is all the way back, so it has to slope toward pick up.

For some reason, the A string was hitting the screw, now and then. Not exactly sure why, but I raised the action just a bit to eliminate that. I need to spend some more time with it, because I want lower action, and the neck can handle it.

View attachment 4169

You using .009's?

 

[Bocc69]

Yea. 9

 

[Inspector #20]

Noticed the pins on the Gibson bridge fit loose compared to the big metric bridge pins.

 

[Inspector #20]

Yea. 9

Me too Ernie Balls Hybrid .009's

 

[DonP]

Noticed the pins on the Gibson bridge fit loose compared to the big metric bridge pins.

The metric is an altogether better bridge. I even like the retaining spring, which some don't. Of course you always have the option of getting rid of it.

 

[DonP]

Robert, I've been dealing with all of that.

You can see, my low E is all the way back, so it has to slope toward pick up.

For some reason, the A string was hitting the screw, now and then. Not exactly sure why, but I raised the action just a bit to eliminate that. I need to spend some more time with it, because I want lower action, and the neck can handle it.

View attachment 4169

If the low E is failing to make intonation, there are bridges with longer saddle travel.

 

[Bocc69]

If the low E is failing to make intonation, there are bridges with longer saddle travel.

Fortunately, I had enough room...but barely. Why so close? I know all guitars are different, but I've looked at dozens of photos of 2017 classics, and none are like that. Hummmm, another mystery of the universe.