Official Luthiers Forum!

Hello,

I have two very nice pre-made classical bridges (StewMac and one that was given to me) for a nylon build I'm getting close to setting up. One bridge has a compensated saddle slot and the other does not. I should also mention that this is a lattice braced nylon cross over style instrument with a 25.4" scale.

For those of you who build nylons, which would be my better choiceof saddle?

Thanks,

Ray

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Guitar Building = Continuous Improvement Process

I've never been a fan of an angled saddle slot on a nylon string. I have always used a straight saddle slot and compensate by shaving 1/2 mm from the top of the fretboard at the nut and then file the saddle to fine tune.

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Peter

Nylon strings don't need anywhere near as much bridge compensation as steel. Nylon stretches when you push the string down on the fret, while steel just gets tighter. Usually you can get all the compensation you need on a classical by filing the top of the saddle a bit.

The gentleman above is completely correct to a point. Most classical players have never seen really hight end classical guitars from Spain, the instruments costing $25,000 and up and take six months to build with waiting lists of three years and counting! Many of the Spainish luthiers install compensated saddles and if they do it there must be a good reason for it. I have tried in vane to contact and ask why.
I've built one classical so far and installed the regular straight across saddle.

Greg Byers gives a good insight into classical guitar compensation ....... http://www.byersguitars.com/Research/Research.html

Paul Jacobson has arrived at a similar conclusion, albeit with slightly different compensation values http://www.pjguitar.com/website/forums/ ... ation.html


Happy reading !!

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http://www.reesguitars.co.uk

Hello Stephen!
Nice to see you in these pages.
This time of year I can't help but think of what a nice experience Spain was.
Hope all is well with you.

Best

David

www.guitarsbydavidlaplante.com

Hey Peter, fantastic photo of your "compensated by filing" saddle - thanks for sharing!

Rob

Hi David,
Yes, I must admit I do miss the annual pilgrimage to Sigüenza ..... mind you, trying to keep an eye on 20 or so guitarmakers at all hours of the day & night for 2 weeks solid is pretty exhausting!! .... wouldn't have missed it for the world though, and would be happy to go straight back tomorrow !!
I trust all is well with you?

All the best,
Steve

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http://www.reesguitars.co.uk