Fitting a new TUSQ saddle

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sean65

Posts: 414
Joined: Jan. 4 2010
From: London

Fitting a new TUSQ saddle

Hi Guys,

I'm going to fit a new saddle on my guitar as I'd like to lower the action a little and have bought a TUSQ classical saddle (man made ivory).

The problem is that the width of the saddle slot in the bridge is a about 0.7 to 1mm too big for both the existing saddle and the replacement.

Should I pack this out with a small piece of veneer or just leave it as is and rely on the string tension to hold the saddle in place?

Perhaps it makes little or no difference, but the instructions that came with the TUSQ saddle suggest it should be tuned to a snug fit. In other words, when fitted I should be able to hold the guitar upside down without the saddle falling out of the bridge.

Any advice?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 31 2010 8:45:16

Graham_B

Posts: 283
Joined: Jul. 10 2007
From: Leigh, Lancashire, UK

RE: Fitting a new TUSQ saddle (in reply to sean65)

Hi Sean

The saddle should be a snug fit in the slot to maximise the energy transferred to the soundboard.

For the cost of the correct width saddle I would buy another.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 31 2010 10:08:53

sean65

Posts: 414
Joined: Jan. 4 2010
From: London

RE: Fitting a new TUSQ saddle (in reply to sean65)

Thanks Graham,

I agree, but the problem seems to be that the bridge is too wide as opposed to the saddle being too thin. I do have a wider blank without the compensated cuts but it's quite wide and would take a hell of long time to take it down to size.

One of the reasons I bought tusq was that it's really easy (compared to bone) to shape to size.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Dec. 31 2010 13:17:51