String height at bridge

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kominak

Posts: 135
Joined: Apr. 20 2010

String height at bridge

I know 8mm is standard string height at bridge but what exactly does that mean? 8mm both low and high E string? Or 9 mm low E; 7mm high e?

Also how low can you practically go at the bridge to achieve ideal string height near the soundhole, where I'm actually playing ?
7mm? 6mm?
(the top is not very flat, there'll be about 2mm difference between bridge and soundhole)

Thanks a lot!

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Martin Kominak
Slovakia

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 7 2011 14:14:32

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: String height at bridge (in reply to kominak)

When we talk stringheight at the bridge, we normally talk about the height of the 6th string over the soundboard at the bridge. The saddle height should be close to parallel, max 1mm lower at the treble side. Parallel gives the best feel.

Between 7 and 9mm is normally accepted. Most prefer it in the lower end. Below 6,5mm, you might start getting problems with breakangle and you might start touching the soundboard with the fingers when doing picadeo.

The height at the soundhole depends on how well you´ve done your geometric studies. The very best is almost parallel strings to the soundboard. 2mm higher stringheight at the soundhole is normally accepted.

These are just rules of thumb. There´ll always be one accepting or wanting something different, but around 90% of palyers want it this way.

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Blog: http://news-from-the-workshop.blogspot.com/

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 7 2011 15:09:38

kominak

Posts: 135
Joined: Apr. 20 2010

RE: String height at bridge (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

Thank you Anders - your explanation helped me a lot.
With a bit of luck my No.1 will sing for the first time tonight :)

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Martin Kominak
Slovakia

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 7 2011 21:14:14

HolyEvil

Posts: 1240
Joined: Nov. 6 2008
From: Sydney, Australia

RE: String height at bridge (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Anders Eliasson

When we talk stringheight at the bridge, we normally talk about the height of the 6th string over the soundboard at the bridge. The saddle height should be close to parallel, max 1mm lower at the treble side. Parallel gives the best feel.

is there any problems with it being the other way? like the bass is lower than the treble by 1mm?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 8 2011 6:27:03

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: String height at bridge (in reply to kominak)

Kominak
Good luck with the singing and be patient. Guitars change a lot the first days or even weeks
HolyEvil
I´ve never tried such a setup so I cannot answer you. I think it should be playable

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Blog: http://news-from-the-workshop.blogspot.com/

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 8 2011 7:23:11

Stephen Eden

Posts: 914
Joined: Apr. 12 2008
From: UK

RE: String height at bridge (in reply to kominak)

Well if it's comfortable to play then it's comfortable to play! Most of us aim for something we are used or have been taught to do. I like a 9mm bass and an 8mm treble.

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Classical and Flamenco Guitars www.EdenGuitars.co.uk

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 9 2011 13:54:48