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Has anyone ever tried to cut a bone saddle into 6 parts, one for each string?
I think that in theory it should work better than one piece transmiting vibrations from 6 strings, not to mention how much easier it would be to correct string height but...
Why isnt it done this way? Tradition? Aesthetics? Practicality?
If you want to cut separate slots for each string it is pretty difficult to do with a router but not impossible. I have seen two piece saddles but that was for intonation. I dont see any reason why it would work better to have individual saddles.
Has anyone ever tried to cut a bone saddle into 6 parts, one for each string?
I tried it but couldn't tell any difference in the sound or action. Years ago there was a fellow in Chicago marketing six part saddles. Each piece had three levels so the individual string could be raised or lowered slightly.
from david schramm's website about gilbert bridges--the "wavy" saddle looks interesting and one could make the "dips" between each string saddle deeper.
I believe Gilbert also made bridges without the conventional saddle. Each string rested on a metal pin that fitted into the bridge.
Torres's favorite guitar, among all he built, La Leona had a bridge without a saddle, like a lute bridge. You can see it at 1:15 in this video I just came across:
When he was working in Los Angeles in the 1960s, the late ManuelRodriguez (yes, he of guitar factory fame) developed a bridge with six movable saddles that allowed each individual string to be adjusted for intonation. The saddles were made of rosewood with a bone insert, or sometimes entirely of bone, and had a dovetail base. The base was carefully fitted into a matching dovetail slot in the main part of the bridge and each saddle could be slid a small amount to adjust the individual string length. The idea never really caught on. They took a few shots at reviving it at various times but it still didn't fly.
Thats funny marketing. They dont even say that those people play their guitars. In fact you can even watch Steve Morse, Michael Angelo, Ripper Owens, R. Martin and a few others that are only signing the guitar so Iam guessing it isnt even being offered to them
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