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I just finished sizing the saddle for my second guitar, I put it back in and strung it up. Then I noticed I had put it in backwards. When I went to pull it out the nippers I was using slipped off and chipped the saddle. I sized it down so the chips were gone. Since it was too low now, I shimmed it up with a piece of maple. It seems to play fine and it sounds good to me, which isn't saying much not having much experience in this. My question is is this a legitimate fix or should I replace the saddle?

I say you're fine if the guitar is for you. If it for someone else, make a new one.


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I have no problem with shimming a saddle, as long as the slot is deep enough. I generally glue the shim to the bottom of the saddle with CA.

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John

Saddle blanks are relatively cheap. If it was me, I'd just try again and do it right......it's a learning process so practice always helps. I have a few nuts and saddles in my "good for something" bin.

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Either way works (within reason).
Manufacturers shim their bridge saddles all the time.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

If you just finished this guitar the neck will likely come up a bit in the very near future and your short saddle might be just right. I would shim it for now and wait and see.
L.

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Cut to size.....Beat to fit.....Paint to match.

I've shimmed bone with bone. If you have a waste piece around.

I don't like shims because if they are to high they can cant in the saddle slot. I just like it solid as much as possible. There's too much chance for unflat surfaces and movement....but ...it's probably not super-critical.

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

Thanks for the input. I built the guitar for a friend so I am going to replace it. I probably knew I was going to do that all along but it is always good to see what the experts think. Also as mentioned above the cost is minimal.

I'm no "expert", but I shim saddles pretty regularly. Stew-Mac sells .020" bone shim stock which, if firmly glued to the saddle, should be structurally sound & acoustically invisible.

I know it's been done, but i won't shim a saddle or nut. on any of my guitars as my name goes on them. I don't think it's a very good practice to get into in my book as i wouldn't want to buy a guitar knowing it has a shim under them. I feel they are both too important to the sound.