Tune-o-matic style bridges saddle direction question

[Snake Aces]

Hey, in all the tune-o-matic style guitars I've owned (including current) the saddles are like this (with the incline facing the stop tail piece):

Why do some people have the saddles with the incline facing the neck? Like this:

 

[El Supremo]

Re: Tune-o-matic style bridges saddle direction question

Intonation purposes. In the latter case, you'll have a bit more string length.

 

[formula73]

Re: Tune-o-matic style bridges saddle direction question

Intonation purposes. In the latter case, you'll have a bit more string length.

That's pretty much it, though I prefer all like the first pic. It makes the likelihood of something corroding/wearing and inhibiting vibration less likely if the face is straight up and down. Ever seen a really old tuneomatic where the strings have eaten their way down into the saddles?

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: Tune-o-matic style bridges saddle direction question

That's pretty much it, though I prefer all like the first pic. It makes the likelihood of something corroding/wearing and inhibiting vibration less likely if the face is straight up and down. Ever seen a really old tuneomatic where the strings have eaten their way down into the saddles?

Damn zinc saddles. I also prefer the first photo way.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Tune-o-matic style bridges saddle direction question

The first way is the way it "should" be. Sometimes people put on their bridges backwards because they are ignorant. But mainly, I think, sometimes people flip them if they need to move the saddles back a little bit in order to get the frets in tune. (The narrower the bridge, the more likely this will be necessary; being someone who usually uses 10's at minimum, ABR-1's always have to have a few saddles flipped IME, but Nashville TOMs don't always need it.) The best way to do that is to flip only the saddles that need to be flipped, while leaving the saddle adjustment screws facing down the neck. But that is not possible on some bridges, and/or people don't know that it's possible, and/or they are too lazy.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Tune-o-matic style bridges saddle direction question

It's all about getting the right range of travel for intonation. Sometimes a string or two will not intonate correctly, so the saddle is removed and reversed. No biggie.

BUT....if you're working on a Gibson ABR-1, if you remove a saddle to reverse it, you'll need to make absolutely sure that it is seated properly in the bridge frame. If you don't, it will be a nightmare to tune, keep in tune, and intonate. Believe me...it sounds simple but it is easy to screw up. I've seen many Gibsons over the years with unseated saddles...even ones that have had pro setups. And BTW, it's best to remove the bridge from the guitar when re-seating the string-length screw.

Bill

 

[allbutromeo]

Re: Tune-o-matic style bridges saddle direction question

The first way is the way it "should" be. Sometimes people put on their bridges backwards because they are ignorant. But mainly, I think, sometimes people flip them if they need to move the saddles back a little bit in order to get the frets in tune. (The narrower the bridge, the more likely this will be necessary; being someone who usually uses 10's at minimum, ABR-1's always have to have a few saddles flipped IME, but Nashville TOMs don't always need it.) The best way to do that is to flip only the saddles that need to be flipped, while leaving the saddle adjustment screws facing down the neck. But that is not possible on some bridges, and/or people don't know that it's possible, and/or they are too lazy.

There is no "right" or "wrong" way to face the bridge. Gibsons from day one using TOMs have had them facing either way. I had this question years ago when I first started playing Gibson type guitars, as I was confused which way the bridge should be facing. After speaking to local techs and calling Gibson I was told by all of them that it made no difference just put it on whichever way you want the intonation screws facing, and sages could be put in either way if more range was needed in a certain direction.

 

[toddincharlotte]

Re: Tune-o-matic style bridges saddle direction question

Delete

 

[toddincharlotte]

Re: Tune-o-matic style bridges saddle direction question

Intonation purposes. In the latter case, you'll have a bit more string length.

This and only this. No reason to reverse the saddles but to provide extra string length for intonation purposes. I recently maxed out the string length on a g string trying to intone an epiphone. It was pegged against the rear of the saddle journal and was still sharp. Flipped it over and I've still got room to spare AND it's in perfect tune at 7 12 and 15.

ONLY reason to flip a saddle.

 

[formula73]

Re: Tune-o-matic style bridges saddle direction question

For you guys saying they come either way, historically, the factory has done ABR-1s with the screw heads facing the neck and Nashvilles facing the tailpiece. Why? I have no idea.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Tune-o-matic style bridges saddle direction question

It's because of the design of the frame and the size of the screws. On either tune-o-matic bridge you DON'T want the string to touch the back of the bridge frame OR the intonation screws as it crosses the bridge. On the ABR-1, since the screw heads are larger than those of the Nashville, it makes sense to orient the ABR-1 with the screws facing the neck, next to the pickup.

Bill

 

[VinceT]

Re: Tune-o-matic style bridges saddle direction question

+1 for intonation - on my Les Paul and 335 (both of which have Callaham replacement bridges), I had to flip a couple of saddles to get enough string to play with. And, while the Callaham did affect the tone, the saddle flip made no difference.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: Tune-o-matic style bridges saddle direction question

Wow, it's amazing to me there are so many intonation issues with Les Pauls. I wonder why that is. On my Warmoth Les Paul guitars there is plenty of room for intonation play on all strings using the Gotoh tune-o-matic bridge and Warmoth's 24.75" conversion necks. Even on the Gibson Les Pauls I've owned and played there was never a need for me to flip the saddles for intonation issues. I understand over time the tune-o-matic bridge can warp and smile a bit as well as the saddles wearing down a bit... but big deal. Slap a new bridge on it and you should be good to go again. Perhaps it's fret wear over time?

Is it a problem with improper set-ups as in string height adjustment, stop-tail pieces that are tightened all the way down to the body (you know the old better sustain myth), improper neck relief or what? I find it hard to believe Gibson makes mistakes in bridge placement on their guitars.

 

[knight_yyz]

Re: Tune-o-matic style bridges saddle direction question

My Les Paul has 3 in one direction and 3 in the other direction.

 

[Detroitblues]

Re: Tune-o-matic style bridges saddle direction question

While I've never installed one backwards, I have seen saddles re-installed backwards for innotation. Also, some people like to adjust their saddles from the pickup side and others prefer the tailpiece side.

 

[Diego]

Re: Tune-o-matic style bridges saddle direction question

Thread necromancy:

I'd had issues with my Les Paul since I bought it. B and G strings sharp even with the saddles all the way back.
I had no idea I could flip the saddles. Just did it and I've got room to spare for further adjustments, and it's very well intonated now.
I'm happy.

 

[rom661]

Re: Tune-o-matic style bridges saddle direction question

+1 for intonation - on my Les Paul and 335 (both of which have Callaham replacement bridges), I had to flip a couple of saddles to get enough string to play with. And, while the Callaham did affect the tone, the saddle flip made no difference.

Hi. This was a couple of years ago but curious about your experience with the Callaham's. I've used their Strat stuff. Did you find the replacement bridge to be a worthwhile improvement? Thanks

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Tune-o-matic style bridges saddle direction question

The Callaham is a quality piece (like all Bill's stuff), but some users report a brighter tone (good or bad depending on user and guitar I guess).

The later Nashville style bridges are "thicker" allowing for more adjustment, so unlikely you would have to flip the saddles to intonate (like the ABR).

 

[VinceT]

Re: Tune-o-matic style bridges saddle direction question

Hi. This was a couple of years ago but curious about your experience with the Callaham's. I've used their Strat stuff. Did you find the replacement bridge to be a worthwhile improvement? Thanks

I can’t say I have a strong A-B because I changed to the Callaham on the 335 immediately on purchase because I enjoyed the one on my Les Paul so much! FWIW, I also took my MIM Strat to a Callahan unit for the same reason, but that was after a decade of playing the stock Fender bridge.

All of which says I must like it, I guess!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Tune-o-matic style bridges saddle direction question

It's because of the design of the frame and the size of the screws. On either tune-o-matic bridge you DON'T want the string to touch the back of the bridge frame OR the intonation screws as it crosses the bridge. On the ABR-1, since the screw heads are larger than those of the Nashville, it makes sense to orient the ABR-1 with the screws facing the neck, next to the pickup.

Bill

This is the correct answer.