height of straight edge over bridge

Questions and answers for beginners. If you have a question, so do most other people.
Post Reply
Danny
Posts: 23
Joined: Fri Aug 20, 2010 12:53 pm
Location: Frankfort, Kentucky

height of straight edge over bridge

Post by Danny »

Guys, I have read that the ideal height of a straight edge over your bridge with frets in should be 0.031 to 0.0625. Unfortunately, my project is coming in at 0.070. I have not yet glued the bridge on and i have a bolt on neck. my question is, am i close enough? What would be the consequences of this large of a gap?

Thanks Danny
johnnparchem
Posts: 2354
Joined: Sat Apr 10, 2010 10:50 pm
Location: Seattle
Contact:

Re: height of straight edge over bridge

Post by johnnparchem »

A bit of extra saddle will show to get the action you need, but it does not seem that much off. I am not sure what your bridge height is. On a steel string I like the strings to be about 14 mm off the sound board at the saddle. I want my bridge tall enough so there is a bit more saddle in the slot than out of the slot.
tippie53
Posts: 7163
Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:09 pm
Location: Hegins, Pa
Contact:

Re: height of straight edge over bridge

Post by tippie53 »

if you have a .375 bridge I don't see .070 being that bad as I shoot for a 1/16 to .100 . If you are doing a through saddle I would be more concerned but a drop in you should be ok.
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
Danny
Posts: 23
Joined: Fri Aug 20, 2010 12:53 pm
Location: Frankfort, Kentucky

Re: height of straight edge over bridge

Post by Danny »

Thanks guys. I can breathe a little easier now!
tippie53
Posts: 7163
Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:09 pm
Location: Hegins, Pa
Contact:

Re: height of straight edge over bridge

Post by tippie53 »

On thing I should have added is that when you make a guitar allow the bridge a little extra as it is easier to adjust the bridge to the final height. Also watch your RH as that is the one variable that can cause headaches.
Post some pictures of your process , we would love to see it.
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
Post Reply