first build: neck set question

[jgillan3]

Hi all. I'm building a stewmac OOO kit. it's neck set time and i've got a question. based on the instructions, it seems that you use the bridge as the reference point for adjustment. however, it seems that you need the neck to be set for proper bridge placement. seems like a "chicken or the egg" type thing. can someone clear this up for me?

on a related note, i'm thinking about getting the KMG bridge setter and clamp. anyone have any opinions on these?

thanks
Jim

[deadedith]

They work very well. There are other methods of course.

[tippie53]

there are many ways to set the bridge. Here is a link to another bridge setting device.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/160653526900?ss ... 1555.l2649
you can also measure with a good yard stick. If you measure from the nut to the 12th fret and multiply by 2 and add .100 for compensation to the center of the saddle you will be fine. Follow the line of the string on the treble E and then add another .125 for the bass.

[darren]

It seems like there are a thousand of 'em in an inch!

At least a thousand! :)

The value of not using a dedicated jig is that I can work with any scale length, body type, neck width, whatever.

+1 to that.
Examine what your luthiere goals are: will you build just one? save some pennies and measure away. Multiple guitars the exact same model? get a jig if you like jigs. If you're like me... well I'm starting my 6th and not one has been the same scale length. Even did one multi-scale.

[tippie53]

Thanks Rick for the good advice. After 150 guitars I still use a 36 inch scale.
Learn to use a good straight edge and by an accurate measure scale . There are some jigs that are very good and here is the issue with bridge placement jigs , The are for that one scale length , Martin scale is often referred to long and short scale or 24.9 and 25.4 but the fact is the Martin scale from Martin is not always the same as the Martin scale from other supplies.

[Ben-Had]

but the fact is the Martin scale from Martin is not always the same as the Martin scale from other supplies.

Boy, am I finding that out the more I build!!

[Tim R]

Another approach: I have a set of gauge blocks I picked up cheap years ago. 1/10000" precision. Also have a 24" steel rule. To set the bridge on my first guitar, I placed the proper stack of blocks against the nut, placed one end of the rule against the stack, and butted the leading edge of the saddle against the other end of the rule. When selecting the gauge block stack, I adjusted for half the width of the saddle. This method should be accurate to around 1/1000". No eyeballing of fine rule scale needed. Seems to have worked like a charm. The intonation is very good.

Tim

[Tom West]

Jim: Not sure if you are aware or not but the success of a proper neck set starts with the building of the box. Take the box without neck and place a straight edge on the fretboard extension area and allow it to extend over the area where the bridge will be attached. At the saddle location you should have about .100" gap. Some folks may say a bit more or less. There is a lot of instruction out there that does not even mention this fact. This leaves some folks scratching their head when they go to set their neck. I know John Hall has pointed this out a number of times. He may even have a video out there about doing the right thing when building the box. Good luck with yours.
Tom

[Darryl Young]

Below is a link to a tutorial on the tool I made to set the bridge on my first guitar. It worked great! The frets on a fretboard are typically very accurate so this jig uses the distance from the nut end of the fretboard to the 12th fret as the standard to set the distance from the 12th fret to the saddle. It also has the capability to add the desired compensation using feeler gauges so it is set accurately. This jig is a twist on an old theme so I only added a few new features to a basic design many folks use. Take the time to understand what I did in this tutorial and you will locate the bridge perfectly. Once you have the bridge located accurately (tape it in place once you have it where it needs to be), then you can accurately set the neck angle.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=984

[Tom West]

Looks like I missed the thrust of this question. Sorry............carry on.
Tom