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Adjusting the bridge
Fixed bridges
The height of each single saddle is usually set by adjusting
two screws at the sides of the saddle (fig. 8). The saddles
should be positioned in a slight curve - the difference between
the inner and outer saddles should be close to 1mm. This is
caused by the necessity of the saddles to follow the radius
of the fingerboard. In some older bridge types (Tele) two
strings use one saddle. In this case the action is set for
two strings at the same time.
The height of the string over the 12th fret depends on
personal preferences of the musician. A standard string action
is: 2.0 mm for the E1 string and 2.5 mm for the E6 string.
Tune-O-Matic type bridges
In Tune-O-Matic style bridges the action adjustment is
global, which means that we adjust the height of all the strings
at the same time. We perform this by adjusting two screws on
which the bridge is placed. By turning the screws clockwise we
lower the bridge. By turning them counter-clockwise we raise
it. Sometimes the bridge is placed on two large spinners and
this is what we use to adjust the height of the bridge (fig. 10).
The proper curve of the strings over the frets is given by the
curve of the base of the bridge, different height of placement
of the saddles or different heights of the saddles themselves.
Tremolo bridges
In traditional vintage-type tremolos (attached to the body
with 6 screws) the height of the strings over the frets is determined
in the same way as in fixed bridges (fig. 11), that is by changing
the height of each saddle separately. In newer constructions,
in which the whole structure is placed on two stud bolts (also
Floyd Rose bridges), adjustment is accomplished by operating
the stud bolts and changing the action of all strings at the same
time. A proper curve of the strings over the fingerboard (radius)
is achieved by a change of thickness of the base of the bridge,
different saddle heights, or with each saddle adjusted separately,
like in fixed bridges (fig. 12).
Electric Guitar User's Manual
fig. 8
EN
fig. 9
fig. 10
fig. 11
fig. 12
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