bridge placement

[tippie53]

I am with Rick here. I have over a 100 guitars out of the shop. I used to use jigs but there are too many variables to using fixed jigs. The one thing I will add to Ricks points are , if you are making a guitar for a flat picker , they attack the strings harder and you tweak the compensation length. With what Rick told you would be a good way to set it up. If you are making a finger pickers guitars you can use .1 as the compensation length.
In a nut shell the higher the action , the longer the compensation. Keep notes to what you are doing and you will dial this in , in no time. You can also go with a wider saddle. Many builders use as much as 1/8 in saddles. and you can then use what Rick gave you and split the saddle so you can compensate the saddle . I like this arrangement. As the guitar changes , it affords you plenty of adjustment without affecting the guitar.

[kencierp]

Knowing the hows and whys of proper bridge placement is an important aspect of guitar construction -- I would point out however that the KMG "Bridge Setter" is the product of my very own mistake not as a begnner but rather on a commissioned classical guitar. Not until I was ready to sting up did I realize that I had placed/glued the bridge EXACTLY ONE INCH OFF LOCATION. I read time and time again that one should buy the best tools they can afford --- my incident, for me proved this is one I could not afford not to build for myself and the public.

[Tony_in_NYC]

For me, building a playable guitar was enough of an accomplishment. If the bridge is out of place, all of your hard work will have been for nothing. Rick (runningdog) and John Hall(tippie) have been building for years and do not use a bridge locating jig. Ken Cierp has been building for years and does use one. Jigs make certain tasks easier. I won't build without them. And I definitely won't set my bridge without one.

[klooker]

After the cost of the kit and all the hours I spent getting things together, I bought the KMG jig.

Besides locating the bridge for scale length, it orients it square to the frets and holds it in place essentially giving you an extra set of hands. Using the jig, it took less than 10 minutes to locate the bridge. Ken also includes his bridge gluing clamp which works very well.



Kevin Looker

[Tony_in_NYC]

Ditto on the KMG bridge setter being a very necessary extra set of hands. Like American Express, I don't leave home (to set a bridge) without it.

[naccoachbob]

I don't think I've ever seen a better, more concise, explanation of compensation as Rick gave us here. Thanks. It really helps to know how and why something peculiar to guitar making is done.
I'm one of those who needs all the jigs and help I can get, so I'll use the one I got from Ken since my building so far is using the same scale length. But if I ever change lengths, I can refer to Rick's process to set things correctly.
Much appreciated.
Bob

[Tony_in_NYC]

Rick,
I really thought you were anti-jig and man... was I offended!! LOL
OK...I am completely joking. There is nothing wrong, or right, about either way. Its just a preference. Some people like jigs, like me since I live in the heart of bluegrass country, Brooklyn NY (Can you taste the sarcasm there? LOL) and all I build is dreadnoughts with 25.34" scale length. If I built a lot of guitars of various scale lengths, storing and finding the jig for each one would take more time than learning how to do it with a ruler!!
I say use the method that works for you.

Tony

[Tony_in_NYC]

Do people in Brooklyn need a jig to locate the bridge to Manhattan? Just wondering ...

Sadly, I do. But others rely on experience and calculated turns. I am completely reliant on Jigs. Don't even ask about how I have two kids, I used a jig for that too. But I can't post pics on a family friendly forum.

[naccoachbob]

Do people in Brooklyn need a jig to locate the bridge to Manhattan? Just wondering ...

Sadly, I do. But others rely on experience and calculated turns. I am completely reliant on Jigs. Don't even ask about how I have two kids, I used a jig for that too. But I can't post pics on a family friendly forum.

TMI