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Sanding down the bridge? Saddle holding part?   You are logged in as Guest
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Garam

 

Posts: 28
Joined: Jun. 25 2013
From: Corea del sur

Sanding down the bridge? Saddle hold... 
I want to shave down the saddle holding part and the nut. I don't know how to do it exactly so Any advice on this would be very appreciated. Thank you!

Kang









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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 14 2013 14:43:56
 
Escribano

Posts: 6415
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Sanding down the bridge? Saddle ... (in reply to Garam) 
I think one sands the base of the nut and saddle with a belt sander, very carefully but I will leave it for a luthier here to confirm.

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 14 2013 15:04:52
 
Garam

 

Posts: 28
Joined: Jun. 25 2013
From: Corea del sur

RE: Sanding down the bridge? Saddle ... (in reply to Escribano) 
Thank you! I' been to bath 2 years ago. The place was gorgeous july 4-5 remember it clearly because it was the only rainy days during my stay in england.

Kang
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 14 2013 15:11:46
 
Sr. Martins

Posts: 3079
Joined: Apr. 4 2011
 

RE: Sanding down the bridge? Saddle ... (in reply to Garam) 
First you shave both sides (red) and then the back side alone at an angle (orange).


Your nut slots seem to be uneven. Maybe you should open them up (A and B string) a bit to the side towards the E strings (low and high E).


Get some 2000 wet sandpaper, its useful to smooth out all guitar related mangling that you might do



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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 14 2013 15:20:18
 
Morante

 

Posts: 2181
Joined: Nov. 21 2010
 

RE: Sanding down the bridge? Saddle ... (in reply to Garam) 
Judging from the foto, the problem with your bridge is that the strings rest on the wood before arriving at the bone. If this is so, you should remove wood from this part with a sharp wood chisel and sandpaper. When the strings have a clear passage from the tieblock to the bone, the guitar should sound better and then you can decide what else you want to do. But you must maintain an adequate string angle.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 14 2013 15:21:55
 
Garam

 

Posts: 28
Joined: Jun. 25 2013
From: Corea del sur

RE: Sanding down the bridge? Saddle ... (in reply to Garam) 
Thank you very much for the detailed advice! I'm currently out of sandpapers I guess Ill have to use a file instead is this okay? Or else I'll have to get some sandpapers first.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 14 2013 15:33:38
 
estebanana

Posts: 9352
Joined: Oct. 16 2009
 

RE: Sanding down the bridge? Saddle ... (in reply to Garam) 
Garam,


Take the strings off the guitar and get a piece of card board and make a mask to cover the top while you work. Cut a bridge shaped hole in the card board and fit it over the bridge then carefully tape the mask to the top with some tape that is not too sticky. This will protect the top while you work.

Remove the saddle, and lower the hump of wood that the saddle fits down into. In your case you have plenty of saddle bedded into the bridge so remove enough material to expose 2mm to 3mm of bone saddle. That should give you enough to lower the saddle a bit, if not you may remove as much as 3mm. I'm just going by what I see and the pictures show a very stout, tall bridge. Measure how much saddle you have in total and the rule of thumb is you can remove material from the top of the bridge until the saddle has as much buried in the bridge as is exposed. So for example, if you have 6mm total saddle height you can allow 3mm to be exposed and then cut the saddle down until you make your action correct.

You may also have some forward bow in the neck and this could make it more difficult. Press the bass E at the first fret and 12th fret so it creates a straight line. Look under the the string to see how much relief if in the neck. There will be a slight curve to the neck profile which can be sighted relative to the flat of the taut string.

What to remove that material with? A small sharp hand plane is ideal, but if you don't have that a chisel and a flat stick with sand paper glued to it will do the job.

The idea is to expose enough saddle free of the bridge to make the adjustment of the action and then blend the sides of the saddle hump into the rest of the bridge.

If you have trouble you can call me, I'm just below you in Southern Japan. If you really get baffled you can send it here and I'll do it for you and put on the tap plate etc.

Just send an email or PM if you need help or a primer talk to do it.

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 15 2013 1:19:53
 
Stephen Eden

 

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

RE: Sanding down the bridge? Saddle ... (in reply to Garam) 
Personally I would get the finger board checked out first. It looks very twisted. If you had a refret you may get away with not having to change the bridge at all.

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 15 2013 12:52:03
 
Garam

 

Posts: 28
Joined: Jun. 25 2013
From: Corea del sur

RE: Sanding down the bridge? Saddle ... (in reply to Garam) 
estebanana/ Thank you very much for the very detailed advice! Yesterday I was very busy so I am going to do it today.

SEden/ yup it look a little twisted on that photo but actually it's the nut that makes it look twisted. The nut is noticeably slanted so I'm going to sand it to make it even.

I got these 'sandsponges' instead of sandpapers. Have you guys ever used these things? I'm not sure these are appropriate because they don't say any specific grit numbers on the cover(Just 'rough','medium','fine').



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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 16 2013 3:00:32
 
estebanana

Posts: 9352
Joined: Oct. 16 2009
 

RE: Sanding down the bridge? Saddle ... (in reply to Garam) 
Garam, you might want to find a rough file or an edge tool like a chisel...you could remove the material with those sponges, but sanding sponges make the work uneven.
Don't be hasty just go slow.

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 16 2013 5:11:52
 
Garam

 

Posts: 28
Joined: Jun. 25 2013
From: Corea del sur

RE: Sanding down the bridge? Saddle ... (in reply to Garam) 
Ha! The surgery was quite successful and now I've got 2.5mm at low E and 2mm at High E both at the 12th fret! The problem is I sanded down the nut too much so the high E and B strings touch the first fret which makes loud buzzing sound.

High E string got totally busted right now I didn't noticed the string is touching the fret at first so I tightened it like there's no tomorrow until it gives the proper sound


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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 17 2013 5:25:54
 
Sr. Martins

Posts: 3079
Joined: Apr. 4 2011
 

RE: Sanding down the bridge? Saddle ... (in reply to Garam) 
As I told you, put some superglue on the nut slots.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 17 2013 11:06:51
 
keith

Posts: 1108
Joined: Sep. 29 2009
From: Back in Boston

RE: Sanding down the bridge? Saddle ... (in reply to Garam) 
garam--you can find pre-slotted nuts in tusq or bone material at the bay for a pretty good price (about $10 or less). the spread from low to high e is variable from about 41.5 to 43.1mm for a 52mm wide nut. all that is really necessary with these nuts is to reduce the height which is pretty easy to do.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 17 2013 13:02:42
 
SLJ

 

Posts: 85
Joined: Jul. 12 2013
From: Houston Texas

RE: Sanding down the bridge? Saddle ... (in reply to Garam) 
Another newb question, I have a Yamaha, that I sanded down the bottom of the bridge, it was just plastic,,, and it did change the way the guitar felt and played, I only have a slight buzz. I also have a Cordoba c5 I got a month ago. Im not sure what to do with it, it has a truss rod, Im not sure how to take that into account on being able to get the proper action.

If a took it to a luthier and told him 3.5 at the 12th would that give enough info for a proper setup?.
Steve
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 17 2013 14:01:59
 
Sr. Martins

Posts: 3079
Joined: Apr. 4 2011
 

RE: Sanding down the bridge? Saddle ... (in reply to SLJ) 
Here's some good advice:

DO NOT touch the truss rod if what you want is to lower the action. You'll end up thinking "ok, this is lower, straighter...great!". Later on you'll notice a buzz/dead note/something or even want to lower the action a bit further and... next thing you know you're swinging it back and forth, messing with the saddle at the same time, sanding frets, changing nuts..

The need to touch the truss rod MIGHT indeed lower the action but thats "collateral damage", not the main purpose.


You've sanded the saddle, the guitar is already buzzing and your action is still above 3,5mm? Iam I getting this wrong?
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 17 2013 14:09:49
 
jshelton5040

Posts: 1500
Joined: Jan. 17 2005
 

RE: Sanding down the bridge? Saddle ... (in reply to Garam) 
quote:

ORIGINAL: Garam
The problem is I sanded down the nut too much so the high E and B strings touch the first fret which makes loud buzzing sound.


You can put paper shims under the nut to adjust it to the proper height. If it's only low on the treble just put the shim on that side.

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 17 2013 14:10:51
 
Sr. Martins

Posts: 3079
Joined: Apr. 4 2011
 

RE: Sanding down the bridge? Saddle ... (in reply to jshelton5040) 
quote:

You can put paper shims under the nut to adjust it to the proper height. If it's only low on the treble just put the shim on that side.



I find that golpeador leftovers is even better. You can even sand it down a bit and stack pieces if needed.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 17 2013 14:18:01
 
SLJ

 

Posts: 85
Joined: Jul. 12 2013
From: Houston Texas

RE: Sanding down the bridge? Saddle ... (in reply to Garam) 
Rui, I sanded the saddle on my Yamaha, I think its a bit higher than 3.5, but the buzz sounds good unless I capo up to 3 or higher. then I really have to watch being more delicate .
the Cordoba that has the truss rod , I haven't touched. I came with Savrez crystal high tension strings,,, or so the tag on the guitar said. I have some pro arte normal, that I thought Id put on before trying to adjust action. The fellow who has done my instrument work has closed , been using him for 20+ yrs and everybody around here seems to understand steel string setup,,, but unfamiliar with flamenco setup.
long winded answere there sorry.
the Yamaha I have worked on sound more "flamenco" to my ears , the cordoba sounds more classical. thanks Steve
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 17 2013 14:18:42
 
Sr. Martins

Posts: 3079
Joined: Apr. 4 2011
 

RE: Sanding down the bridge? Saddle ... (in reply to SLJ) 
3,5mm is a bit high... and if it is already buzzing from the third fret, then something might be wrong with that neck or overall setup.


About the Cordoba.. it has a truss rod.. and.. ? Cant really help much with that info
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 17 2013 14:27:39
 
keith

Posts: 1108
Joined: Sep. 29 2009
From: Back in Boston

RE: Sanding down the bridge? Saddle ... (in reply to Garam) 
the stirring sticks at starbucks/au bon pain, etc. work well--just glue them onto the bottom of the nut, cut away the wood around the nut and sand away. you can sand to provide a gradient if needed (i.e., have the treble side higher and slope downwards towards the bass end.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 17 2013 14:39:37
 
SLJ

 

Posts: 85
Joined: Jul. 12 2013
From: Houston Texas

RE: Sanding down the bridge? Saddle ... (in reply to Garam) 
sorry, yeah the Cordoba I bought on a whim, I haven't done anything with it. Ill check measurements tonight,

again newb question,, but when I measure the heighth at 12 , is it from fretboard to bottom of string , or top? Im guessing bottom , but Im not sure. the only lutherie Ive done is on a banjo
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 17 2013 14:43:29
 
keith

Posts: 1108
Joined: Sep. 29 2009
From: Back in Boston

RE: Sanding down the bridge? Saddle ... (in reply to SLJ) 
top of the fret (not fretboard) to the bottom of the string.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 17 2013 15:01:42
 
estebanana

Posts: 9352
Joined: Oct. 16 2009
 

RE: Sanding down the bridge? Saddle ... (in reply to keith) 
quote:

the stirring sticks at starbucks/au bon pain, etc. work well--just glue them onto the bottom of the nut, cut away the wood around the nut and sand away. you can sand to provide a gradient if needed (i.e., have the treble side higher and slope downwards towards the bass end.


Are there Starbucks in Korea?

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 18 2013 0:34:30
 
keith

Posts: 1108
Joined: Sep. 29 2009
From: Back in Boston

RE: Sanding down the bridge? Saddle ... (in reply to estebanana) 
well over 300 and some sources say there are more starbucks per capita in south korea than the united states.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 18 2013 1:14:09
 
timoteo

 

Posts: 219
Joined: Jun. 22 2012
From: Seattle, USA

RE: Sanding down the bridge? Saddle ... (in reply to keith) 
According to http://www.loxcel.com/sbux-faq.html, as of March 2013,

13279 stores in US, population 314 million = 0.423 per 10,000 people
556 stores in KR, population 49 million = 0.113 per 10,000 people

... just goes to show that "some sources" are frequently wrong :-)

BTW, here in Seattle we have about 2.27 stores per 10,000 people according to http://blogs.seattletimes.com/fyi-guy/2012/12/06/starbucks-per-capita-in-u-s-cities/
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 18 2013 1:48:09
 
Garam

 

Posts: 28
Joined: Jun. 25 2013
From: Corea del sur

RE: Sanding down the bridge? Saddle ... (in reply to Garam) 
Suddenly became a coffee shop thread thank you all for your advice! My guitar now feels great. Feels a lot more easier to play than before and it sounds great. I don't know if this sounds any close to 'flamenco-ish' but it does sound like that audio sample in Juan Martin's book

Kang
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 18 2013 3:38:52
 
Sr. Martins

Posts: 3079
Joined: Apr. 4 2011
 

RE: Sanding down the bridge? Saddle ... (in reply to Garam) 
quote:

Suddenly became a coffee shop thread thank you all for your advice! My guitar now feels great. Feels a lot more easier to play than before and it sounds great. I don't know if this sounds any close to 'flamenco-ish' but it does sound like that audio sample in Juan Martin's book

Kang



Thats cool.

Now pay us.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 18 2013 10:42:41
 
estebanana

Posts: 9352
Joined: Oct. 16 2009
 

RE: Sanding down the bridge? Saddle ... (in reply to Garam) 
In my prefecture there are four Starbucks and the population of Kagoshima is 1,703,406, so about 425, 858.5 people per Starbucks.

The closest Starbucks is about 45 miles away at best, which makes using the Starbucks stir sticks as nut shims an impractical idea.

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 18 2013 13:08:53
 
Garam

 

Posts: 28
Joined: Jun. 25 2013
From: Corea del sur

RE: Sanding down the bridge? Saddle ... (in reply to Sr. Martins) 
I'll treat you with a nice starbucks coffee if you come here
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 19 2013 13:30:00
 
keith

Posts: 1108
Joined: Sep. 29 2009
From: Back in Boston

RE: Sanding down the bridge? Saddle ... (in reply to estebanana) 
stephen--major bummer on having to drive so far for a starbucks. as a luthier i am sure you do not need to go down the stirring stick route.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Jul. 19 2013 14:14:51
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