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Two days ago I started a topic called "hght of straight edge over bridge". I starting a new Topic since I apparently thought that one was resolved but alas, it is not. I was so happy when John replied saying that a 0.070 strght edge hght was okay IF I was using a 0.375 bridge. But when I got home I realized that my bridge is not that hght, not even close, it is 0.282" - then i was not so happy - thus the roller coaster of emotion. I made that bridge and i'm sure I used some sort of logic for making it that height - of course it was originally thicker and then became thinner as I sanded it to contour to arrive at that final .282. My new question now is - what height should my new bridge be? With the current bridge of 0.282 it appears that more saddle would be exposed than would be in the slot. Which i have read is bad and Johnparchem confirmed this and he also stated that he liked to see strings about 14mm off the sound board. If i set my action to about the same height as my Taylor it looks like my strings would be about 15mm off the sound board. Should i just use a .375 bridge? Have i given enough info for anyone to help? At John Hall's request i've add a few photos. btw the bridge and the pickguard are not actually attached to the top, obviously. Also, the pencil line on the saddle in the 1st photo is where I estimate the top of the saddle would be after final shaping (although that estimate does not take into account settling). Once again my question is, what thickness of bridge would be appropriate?

I like my bridges to come in between .3125 (5/16) on the low end and .375 (3/8 or 6/16) on the high end. Yours is at .282 and your projection is .070 over the bridge. I like my projection over the bridge to be between .03125 (1/32) and .9375 (3/32). So IMO you have 2 choices:

1. Leave it as is and it should play fine or;
2. Fabricate a new bridge by adding about .0305 in thickness bringing your bridge thickness to .03125 (5/16 or low end of bridge thickness) with a projection over the bridge of .0395 or slightly more than the low end projection (1/32 or .03125) and well within my preferred range.

a little hard to tell in the photo, but it looks like your straight edge is about 1/8" over the bridge? This is a little high but not terrible. With your bridge at that thickness you can cut your saddle slot 3/16" deep. The you will end up with, from the looks of things about 3/16" above the bridge for about the right action. This will give you have the height of the saddle in the bridge which I believe is pretty good. Now if your top rises after it is strung up awhile, the humidity goes up, etc, and the top usually does over a time rise, then you will have some extra saddle to take it down again to a comfortable action. This is all based on what I think I see, about an 1/8" over the bridge????
If I'm way off base here one you guys correct me. I know a little more at the bottom of the saddle slot would be better, but I think this is doable.

Kevin

My straight edge height over the bridge is 0.070", so not quite 1/8 which is 0.125". If I left everything as is I am estimating that 58% of the saddle will be exposed and 42% of the saddle would be in the slot (that estimate does not take into account settling/rising/sinking etc). So at this point I am liking the suggestion to just make the slot a little deeper. :)

here is some info that may help

take about 8 lb of weight and start by propping the headstock. Then set the weight on the shoulder of the guitar. Now you can use a straight edge resting on 1 fret and set in a saddle. Adjust the saddle to what you would like in the action height. Now you get a more realistic idea of what the saddle exposure would be.

I like a good 7/16 to 1/2 of bridge and saddle height with action of a 3-2. ( 3/32 and 2/32 )

Hope this info helps you,

My bridge height that I prefer is .320 to .375 ( through saddle)
and .320 to .350 drop in.

I like a lower saddle on through saddles.