Intonation with wooden bridge

[va3ux]

Sadowsky now also offers a compensated wood bridge. It's called the TrueTone bridge. Check out his website under On-Line Store

[kris]

I did by myself compenated ebony bridge similar to Sadowsky.
I took compesation from ABR-1.
Work very good.
Piece of ebony cost me $3.

[NiAg]

After doing thousands of setups, it is my opinion that you need to be careful in taking one set of strings, setting a tune-o-matic bridge based on the traditional and deeply error-prone "12th fret" rule of thumb, and then deciding that you have found the perfect layout for making a wooden bridge.

Strings are not perfect.

Testing only one fretted note (traditionally the 12th) increases the chance of a minor string error being emphasized.

Having a nut that is not first set up very well, adds a fundamental (if minor at the 12th fret) error.

If after using a t-o-m bridge as a setup tool, you find the string compensation to deviate significantly from the Sadowsky patterns (one for a wound G and one for a plain G), then I would definitely look for the reason why this is the case rather than deciding you have found intonation Valhalla.

OR,...

Considering that even a "perfect" bridge compensation will not result in perfect intonation, possibly use the well-conceived, "best-fit" pattern as illustrated on the Sadowsky design and then go play.

In my opinion, the Sadowsky bridges are a little untraditional and "CNC" looking. But they sure appear to be dead-on for a standard and significant improvement over a simple straight saddle. The Sadowsky design is also, in my opinion, a major improvement over the odd overcompensated saddle that Guild used for a long time (notably with no widespread dissatisfaction,...)

[kris]

My set up from ABR-1 is completly different than Sadowsky...:-)
best
Kris

[NiAg]

If you are happy with your guitar, that is certainly more important than my online opinion.

Glad it all worked out well for you.

[pingu]

I've got two guits
a 335 with a TOM bridge intonated spot on
and a jazz box with an intonation 'compromised' rosewood bridge on it

I find it difficult to play jazz on the 335 in tune
I find it quite difficult to play the jazz box out of tune

go figure .............
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy

shaling skarong

[NiAg]

Hi Kris,

For fun could you tell the following:

What strings you have, and how much compensation (how much extra distance beyond the measured scale length) does each string have?

Or just a pic showing the bridge would be fine to see.

Thanks.

[kris]

I like very much ebony bridge instaled in my guitar.
Benedetto,Sadowsky,Elferink know very well that good wooden bridge work great with arch-top guitar.
Metal from tune-o matic ABR-1 is completly different story.
Best
kris

[NiAg]

Hi Kris,

I am interested in specifically what unusual compensation you have on the bridge you made yourself.

Can you post a pic?

[kris]

sorry for not good photo quality.
Best
kris

[kris]

I use Thomastic Flatwound Swing 13".
Regards
kris

[NiAg]

>>> sorry for not good photo quality.

Hey, good enough.

Thanks for posting the pic. Nice job making your own bridge.

[kris]

Thanks
Jazzingly Yours
kris

[SamBooka]

Kinda slick.. I am to traditional to dig it but you have to admit it looks cool. Good work

[Flyin' Brian]

remember all the old guys managed to make great music with a wooden bridge. Guitar's not a perfect instrument. That being said, I have replaced the wooden saddles on a couple guitars with a tuneamatic and the difference in tone was minor.

I have to agree with this. I replaced the wooden bridge on my Heritage Sweet 16 with a Tone Pros, using the original Sweet 16 wood base. The difference in tone was insignificant. I'd suggest that folks changing a bridge on an archtop need to be more aware of how the base of the bridge conforms to the top of the guitar. A bridge base that's not matched perfectly to the guitar's top will have a more deleterious effect on tone than the difference between wood and metal saddles.