Setting up a vintage trems saddles ( Radius)

[tone?]

Ok so i am having this debate with a guitar friend of mine here.

ok this is kinda hard to explain without a pic...
He likes setting up vintage 6 hole trems with setting the saddle radius by having the saddle set at a curve as well.
That is he adjusts the saddle so one height screw is at a different hight than the other. Making the saddle itself curve.
I am against this, believing that the saddles do NOT need to curve and only need to be set at a specific height to create the radius you need. This way the saddle sits firmly on the bridge creating better sustain and tone.

I think that curving the saddles doesnt do anything anyway cause the string pivots on such a small surface area that even if it is curved it does not effect the strings height and radius.


what are your ideas on this?

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Setting up a vintage trems saddles ( Radius)

Based on everything I've been taught and have seen, you are correct.

 

[Moonsorrow]

Re: Setting up a vintage trems saddles ( Radius)

You are right. The saddles can be set at any height,but they absolutely need to be level!!!!

 

[big_black]

Re: Setting up a vintage trems saddles ( Radius)

Saddles don't NEED to be radius-ed, but it's certainly more comfortable. I don't think it matters either way in functionality...it's a comfort issue.

 

[Moonsorrow]

Re: Setting up a vintage trems saddles ( Radius)

Saddles don't NEED to be radius-ed, but it's certainly more comfortable. I don't think it matters either way in functionality...it's a comfort issue.

It does imo!!!! You can get buzzing if the radius is not set properly,especially with Strat type fretboards that aren`t as flat!

 

[big_black]

Re: Setting up a vintage trems saddles ( Radius)

It does imo!!!! You can get buzzing if the radius is not set properly,especially with Strat type fretboards that aren`t as flat!

Well yeah..you get all kinds of problems when things aren't set up right.

 

[Moonsorrow]

Re: Setting up a vintage trems saddles ( Radius)

Well yeah..you get all kinds of problems when things aren't set up right.

I assumed thats what we were talking about. I mean, if everything is set up properly except the radius,then you do need to tend to that!

 

[jeremy]

Re: Setting up a vintage trems saddles ( Radius)

the saddles as a whole should be set so that the strings match the radius of the fretboard but each individual saddle should be level with both sides the same height. its more stable that way. i have no idea why people angle the saddles

 

[Moonsorrow]

Re: Setting up a vintage trems saddles ( Radius)

the saddles as a whole should be set so that the strings match the radius of the fretboard but each individual saddle should be level with both sides the same height. its more stable that way. i have no idea why people angle the saddles

Well said! :bigok:

 

[big_black]

Re: Setting up a vintage trems saddles ( Radius)

i have no idea why people angle the saddles

It is more comfortable for me. If your height adjustment screws are loose you may have some stability issues, but at that point your are just compensating for bad design. If everything is tight and fits together well I don"t see why there would be an issue. I have never noticed any with my Strat-style hardtail bridges.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Setting up a vintage trems saddles ( Radius)

on one of my strats on the E string saddles i tilted the saddles slightly... not greatly just slightly... i was experimenting seeing if the tilted saddle helps squeeze the saddles together.... If it works i have no idea as i notice no difference... but it plays fine... the 4 middle saddles are flat

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Setting up a vintage trems saddles ( Radius)

the saddles as a whole should be set so that the strings match the radius of the fretboard but each individual saddle should be level with both sides the same height. its more stable that way. i have no idea why people angle the saddles

+100

Some people say the "radiused" way is more comfortable, But I've never noticed any appreciable difference.

 

[tone?]

Re: Setting up a vintage trems saddles ( Radius)

the saddles as a whole should be set so that the strings match the radius of the fretboard but each individual saddle should be level with both sides the same height. its more stable that way. i have no idea why people angle the saddles

Amen,

plus like i said the tone DOES change from not having proper contact with the baseplate