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Main Objective:
Ream the bridge pin holes and fit the saddle.
Step Seventeen-Fitting & Adjusting the Saddle
Fit the saddle into the bridge by taking a flat piece of wood to use as a
handle and attach a piece of double stick tape and pick up the saddle with the
tape. Slowly sand one face of the saddle on a flat surface using adhesive
back sandpaper attached to a flat and “true” surface. Gently round the
corners of the two ends. Continue to test fit the saddle until it fits snugly in
the bridge without having to force it but NOT loose. Be sure the saddle
bottoms out in the bridge.
Note:
Continue to lower the saddle until the adjustments &
specifications in the next section can be met. Be sure to read and
understand the tolerances you are shooting for and continue to test
play the guitar until it plays the way you want.
Note:
The first time you string your instrument, the guitar will need to
settle before making drastic adjustments. Remember, there is now a
lot of tension from the strings that will begin to make the adjustments
difficult initially. Most production guitars will be strung and left aside
for a period of time while the neck settles with tension and at pitch.
Step Eightteen-Ream the Bridge for the Endpins and Gluing the Nut and
Filing the Nut
Drill the remaining holes in the bridge using the .182”/4.6mm drill bit.
Using the tapered reamer, slowly cut and fit the bridge pins so the ball sits
just above the height of the bridge. Be sure NOT to go to deep or the pins
will not hold the string in the bridge.
Make sure there is a flat, clean surface for the nut to rest on and that there is
solid contact on both the bottom of the nut as well as the end of the
fingerboard. This will ensure good glue adhesion for the nut.
Cut a pencil in half the long way, sand it flat on a piece of sandpaper and
sharpen the lead to a point. Lay the flat side of the pencil on the top three or
four frets with two layers of blue tape on the top of these frets, dry fit the nut
and project a pencil line onto the face of the nut. Be sure that the grooves cut
into the nut are slightly above this line. Assuming they are, go ahead and
