Bridge/saddle restoration following pickup removal

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Blondie#2

Posts: 530
Joined: Sep. 14 2010

Bridge/saddle restoration following ...

I recently acquired a Navarro concert blanca. The original owner had a Baggs Hex pick up system fitted, intending to use it just plugged in (see example of system here, individual metal saddles! http://www.musiciansfriend.com/acoustic-guitar-pickups/lr-baggs-hex-individual-acoustic-pickups-set-of-6 )

A friend of mine bought the guitar, had the pick up system removed and a bone saddle cut to fill the slot. Note the recess cut into the saddle slot to allow for the pick-up installation, and the corresponding saddle shape that was required to fill the recess plus whats left of the original slot either side. (BTW The holes were needed for each saddle/pick up).

Having bought the guitar off my friend, I am about to have another saddle cut as the action with this one is too low, which brings me to my question -
I do not want to replace the bridge so is there a better alternative to a shaped saddle eg. could the recess (and holes) in the saddle slot be filled somehow allowing for a 'normal' saddle to be cut?

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 30 2015 18:24:00

krichards

Posts: 597
Joined: Jan. 14 2007
From: York, England

RE: Bridge/saddle restoration follow... (in reply to Blondie#2)

Yes a piece of rosewood could be glued into the 'new' part of the slot.

I don't think its necessary to fill the holes, but it could be done easily enough.

The bridge could be restored to its original, normal state, and a normal saddle could be fitted to give whatever action you need

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Kevin Richards

http://www.facebook.com/#!/kevin.richards.1048554

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 30 2015 19:11:26

Blondie#2

Posts: 530
Joined: Sep. 14 2010

RE: Bridge/saddle restoration follow... (in reply to krichards)

Cheers Kevin - why would that be preferable? Apart from the fiddly job of shaping a saddle to fit the recessed slot, do you think filling it with a piece of rosewood first is likely to give an improved response?

I guess at the heart of my question is trying to understand the relationship between saddle and bridge in transferring the vibration from the string to guitar top, and how critical the thickness of the wood is between the saddle and guitar top.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 30 2015 19:44:51

krichards

Posts: 597
Joined: Jan. 14 2007
From: York, England

RE: Bridge/saddle restoration follow... (in reply to Blondie#2)

You could simply make a new saddle to fit the existing slot. As long as its a good sliding fit with a nice flat bottom it will work fine.

Personally, it would irritate the hell out of me like that, and I would feel compelled to restore it to its original condition, as intended by its maker.

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Kevin Richards

http://www.facebook.com/#!/kevin.richards.1048554

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 31 2015 8:28:13

Stephen Eden

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

RE: Bridge/saddle restoration follow... (in reply to Blondie#2)

Filling the slot with some rosewood is the way I would do it to. Simple enough and would probably only take an hour.

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Classical and Flamenco Guitars www.EdenGuitars.co.uk

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 31 2015 11:56:07