I plan on buying a guitar with a 12" fretboard radius and putting a Bigsby B5 on it. I also want to put a locking roller bridge on it (I found one on Stew Mac). However the bridge radius is 14" and I hear some people say that having a slighly higher bridge radius is superior to having matching radii. I also I hear people say the opposite, and that radii that don't match will give me fret buzz and what not. Help please?
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Bridge and Fretboard Radius Don't Match; Help?
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Re: Bridge and Fretboard Radius Don't Match; Help?
If your High E and low E are set at the same height, a bridge with a 14 degree radius will have the G and D strings a tiny bit closer to the fretboard.
It really shouldn't be a problem IMO.
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Re: Bridge and Fretboard Radius Don't Match; Help?
There have been people who took 9.5" Stats and slapped a 14" Floyd and dealt with it fine. Conversely, people commonly use the set 14" Floyd with necks that have a flatter radius or a compound. Technically, if you use a compound radius board, you have to calculate an even flatter bridge to be "correct", but people just deal.
I personally am not a fan of set-radii bridges. I like to be able to change and tweak it if necessary.
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Re: Bridge and Fretboard Radius Don't Match; Help?
Originally posted by John_L View PostWith a Bigsby I'd advise shopping for a 12" bridge.
The retainer/roller bar on the B5 is totally straight anyway - is there a reason bridge radius might matter?
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Re: Bridge and Fretboard Radius Don't Match; Help?
Originally posted by sosomething View PostHow come?
The retainer/roller bar on the B5 is totally straight anyway - is there a reason bridge radius might matter?
i wouldnt worry too much about radius
the radius on my jaguar bridge and fretboard dont match
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Re: Bridge and Fretboard Radius Don't Match; Help?
Alright. Thank you very much. Probably just get the 14" bridge in that case.
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Re: Bridge and Fretboard Radius Don't Match; Help?
Alright you'll have to forgive me you just blew my mind; how does said saddle-filing process work exactly?
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Re: Bridge and Fretboard Radius Don't Match; Help?
You just file them down where they are too high. If they are brass it's pretty straightforward. Notches are for wimps anyway.
As I said the trick is to get a spare set of saddles.
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Re: Bridge and Fretboard Radius Don't Match; Help?
Originally posted by uOpt View PostAs I said the trick is to get a spare set of saddles.
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Re: Bridge and Fretboard Radius Don't Match; Help?
Alright then cool beans, thanks a buttload. Sorry about the constant questions.
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