Bridge shape?!

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Bridge shape?!

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sorin popovici

Posts: 427
Joined: Jan. 7 2005
From: Iasi, Romania

Bridge shape?!

Hi everyone,

I've recently went to a guitar repair shop with my alhambra 7F and wanting to lower the action decided to also ask for a new bridge made of bone. Now, the original bridge was not a ramp but was a bit lower on the sides and on the G and D strings was higher (let's say like a C shape).
The guy from the guitar shop (some place in London but quite central, but I doubt the guy handles many flamenco guitars) insisted to do a ramp bridge with recessed G, saying the guys from the factory don't know what they are doing with the bridge lower on the sides and higher in the middle. Anyway, said fine but asked to have action lower than 3 mm on the low E.

Anyway, he did a lovely job but somehow I still feel like I want it a bit lower :)

I have a couple questions:

1) what is the correct shape? ramp from low E higher to high E lower, or lower on sides and higher on the middle. Hoping this makes sense, otherwise can show the photos.
2) How do you measure the action? Is it from the fretboard to the string or from the fret to the string? Cause I have indeed under 3mm from fret to string, but still find it a bit high.
3) Does anyone know a luthier in London or somewhere in uk close that does setups :)?
My problem is I find that when I am up the neck maybe would want it a bit lower. I did file a couple of bridges myself, so I can do that...but I would not want to also shape the bridge on my own if it needs shaping to a C shape.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 4 2023 23:50:14

orsonw

Posts: 1938
Joined: Jul. 4 2009
From: London

RE: Bridge shape?! (in reply to sorin popovici)

quote:

2) How do you measure the action? Is it from the fretboard to the string or from the fret to the string? Cause I have indeed under 3mm from fret to string, but still find it a bit high.

Yes, measure from the top of fret to bottom of string.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 5 2023 9:50:30

estebanana

Posts: 9358
Joined: Oct. 16 2009

RE: Bridge shape?! (in reply to sorin popovici)

The quick answer is if you can get a piece of bone you can use sandpaper to make a second bone saddle, and then make it lower.

If it ends up being too low, then you have the one the luthier made for you. Or go back and get the person to make a 2nd lower saddle. Or sand the one you have very carefully and test it until you get height you like.

_____________________________

https://www.stephenfaulkguitars.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 5 2023 15:02:33

bahen

Posts: 378
Joined: Mar. 4 2006

RE: Bridge shape?! (in reply to sorin popovici)

quote:

recessed G

Does this make much of a difference?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 7 2023 10:19:20

sorin popovici

Posts: 427
Joined: Jan. 7 2005
From: Iasi, Romania

RE: Bridge shape?! (in reply to bahen)

First, thank you for you replies and excuse for taking such a long time to reply back.

Looks pretty much like this. (see photos)

My idea now is to look for another luthier to get another opinion if I can lower the basses at least.
I might just imagining it, as it plays definitely nicer than before, just feel maybe up the neck the basses could be a bit lower.

Anyway, the bridge looks lovely...not sure what does the recessed G do