At what point is a saddle "too high"?

Intonation, Compensation, Frustration
MaineGeezer
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At what point is a saddle "too high"?

Post by MaineGeezer »

I'm in the process of fitting the neck joint. I've got a good fit...but to get the proper string height at the 12th fret, I'll need a saddle about 1/4" high. This seems pretty high, creating a very sharp break angle going down to the bridge pins. Is it "too high"? What would be the maximum acceptable saddle height?
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tippie53
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Re: At what point is a saddle "too high"?

Post by tippie53 »

I like to stay under .200 but iI have one at .250 for 10 yrs,, How thick is the saddle?
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
MaineGeezer
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Re: At what point is a saddle "too high"?

Post by MaineGeezer »

1/8", unbleached bone.

I think I'm finally beginning to understand the geometry of the neck joint and how to adjust it...after wondering if I'd end up sanding the heel of the neck down to nothing, a thou at a time, chasing an elusive fit! I may see whether I really do understand it and try adjusting the neck angle to require a lower saddle, but for reference I'd like to know what the upper limit is.
Don't believe everything you know.
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
When things are bad, try not to make them any worse, because it is quite likely they are bad enough already. - French Foreign Legion
tippie53
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Re: At what point is a saddle "too high"?

Post by tippie53 »

with 1/8 you may be ok
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
Ben-Had
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Re: At what point is a saddle "too high"?

Post by Ben-Had »

I try to keep mine between .14 & .18".
Tim Benware
tippie53
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Re: At what point is a saddle "too high"?

Post by tippie53 »

when you set up the guitar and you shoot for about 3/8 in off the frets at the top where the saddle would go. Make the bridge about .35o thick and you will have about a .170 saddle give or take.
I like Ben's numbers .180 is perfect.

what we do want to know is how high are the strings off the top. That is also a very important number.
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
Coach
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Re: At what point is a saddle "too high"?

Post by Coach »

An old thread, but need to ask the question of John. What is the max measure you'd want the strings off the top? I've overset the neck a little bit on a new guitar. To make it playable, I had to raise the string height at the bridge to about .560". It being a new guitar and reasonably lightly built, I'm really hoping the top rises enough in the first few weeks so I can lower the saddle.
johnnparchem
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Re: At what point is a saddle "too high"?

Post by johnnparchem »

I target 14 mm for a steel string off the top, yours is just a touch more.
Coach
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Re: At what point is a saddle "too high"?

Post by Coach »

... that is measured from the soundboard to the bottom of strings
johnnparchem
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Re: At what point is a saddle "too high"?

Post by johnnparchem »

Coach wrote:... that is measured from the soundboard to the bottom of strings
Yes
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