How Do U Measure Bridge Spacing

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Kalo

Posts: 400
Joined: Jan. 25 2011

How Do U Measure Bridge Spacing

Hi All,

Can someone tell me how to measure spacing of strings on the bridge?

I want to determine whether it is 57mm or wider!

Thanks,

Kalo

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 4 2013 2:15:54

Sean

Posts: 672
Joined: Jan. 20 2011
From: Canada

RE: How Do U Measure Bridge Spacing (in reply to Kalo)

A metric ruler

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 4 2013 6:18:42

Kalo

Posts: 400
Joined: Jan. 25 2011

RE: How Do U Measure Bridge Spacing (in reply to Kalo)

Hi Sean,

I realize one needs a metric rule

however...

Do I measure the adjacent strings..

Example: If I measure from E string to A strings it comes out to 11mm, times it by five and got 55mm...

Or do I just measure the Low E to High E string which comes to 58mm which i know isn't correct...

I must point out that the guitar has a 50 mm nut with strings spacing of 41mm

Thanks,

Kalo

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 4 2013 6:36:02

HolyEvil

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

RE: How Do U Measure Bridge Spacing (in reply to Kalo)

From the middle of Low E to middle of high E

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 4 2013 6:40:44

Kalo

Posts: 400
Joined: Jan. 25 2011

RE: How Do U Measure Bridge Spacing (in reply to Kalo)

Hi Holy Evil,

Are you sure? When I measure it from Low E to High E, I get 58mm which is wrong..Especially on a 50mm nut with a 42mm spacing..

However when I measure it from string to string it comes out to 11mm between the strings...I times it by 5 and get 55mm which is seems about right..

This guitar is narrow as stated 50mm nut..

Thanks,

Kalo

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 4 2013 14:24:14

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: How Do U Measure Bridge Spacing (in reply to Kalo)

The correct way to measure the entire width is from the middle of the 6th string to the middle of the first string, to get the entire measurement. If you are not sure about this way then measure the bridge holes to be sure.

_____________________________

Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 4 2013 14:37:30

Sean

Posts: 672
Joined: Jan. 20 2011
From: Canada

RE: How Do U Measure Bridge Spacing (in reply to Kalo)

58mm is right if that's what you get, centre of string to centre; not maximum outside width.
When multiplying the smallest deviation can add up, so E to e is the more accurate measure.
It all depends how much taper the maker put into the fretboard. How wide is the fretboard at the 12th fret? Do the strings have enough space over the board at the 12th?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 4 2013 14:56:43

Kalo

Posts: 400
Joined: Jan. 25 2011

RE: How Do U Measure Bridge Spacing (in reply to Kalo)

quote:

How wide is the fretboard at the 12th fret? Do the strings have enough space over the board at the 12th?

Hi Sean,

The width at 12th fretboard is 60mm and yes strings have enough space...Not Tons of space but enough that the strings don't roll off the sides....

By the way the specs that I am measuring the guitar from is my Takamine 132 SC/electric accoucstic nylon guitar...

This is my stupid questions, but, when I played any flamenco guitar....52mm nut, 42mm spacing between strings.... I have no idea what bridge spacing was on the flamenco I tried, but, the bridge spacing actually felt comfortable and I know it must have been between 57mm and or 59mm at the most..

Bottom line is I like the way the 50mm nut felt, but, if I am correct, I think it would be tough to get a bridge spacing to open up to feel comfortable enough...

Again, the takamine, single cutaway, accoustic/electric nylon guitar bridge 60mm spacing feels way more narrower...then flamenco's with that type of bridge spacing..

Kalo

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 5 2013 1:13:59