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 Post subject: Martin 0-18 bridge
PostPosted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 7:03 am 
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Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Thu Feb 19, 2009 1:31 pm
Posts: 158
Location: Atlanta GA
First name: Sean
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Does anyone out there know the original dimensions of a Martin 0-18 bridge? I'm referring to the 14 fret one that I think they made from the 30's till the early 90's. I'm most interested in the thickness of the bridge. Thanks.

Sean

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 Post subject: Re: Martin 0-18 bridge
PostPosted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 7:19 am 
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Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Thu Feb 19, 2009 1:31 pm
Posts: 158
Location: Atlanta GA
First name: Sean
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
What height did they shoot for regarding the saddle above the bridge? I've noticed for example on my Taylor guitar, the saddle is maybe an 1/8". I recently finished a guitar, and ended up making the bridge a little thinner, which made the saddle higher. The guitar still sounds better than any of my others. I use the neck jig sold by LMI to cut my dovetail, and I always use the same radius dish for my top, leaving the uper bout flat, so I think my neck angle is pretty consistent. My bridge thickness is usually around 5/16".

Sean

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 Post subject: Re: Martin 0-18 bridge
PostPosted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 8:46 am 
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Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Thu Feb 19, 2009 1:31 pm
Posts: 158
Location: Atlanta GA
First name: Sean
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Thanks Todd for the feedback.

So far I've only been making guitars for myself, and I like a very low or easy action. I guess I need to be more detailed in measuring my action, but I watched a video on LMI where Mr. O'brien demonstrates how he sets up his guitars and followed that. I've always just used my jig, and I believe my neck angle is about 2 degrees. I've tried to just get my bridge's at around 5/16" to 3/8", and then adjust my saddle accordingly.

Like I said earlier, my last guitar ended up with about a 1/4" bridge(got a little carried away trying to sand and buff it out), so the saddle ended up higher than ever. It looked kinda odd at first, especially comparing it to my Taylor and my Santa Cruz guitars. However, I had already glued up the neck, and to get the action I wanted, I couldn't come down anymore. Anyway, it still sounds amazing. I'm very pleased with it, but was trying to make my next one look a little more like most other guitars I see.

As you see, I'm just kinda bumbling along learning on my own. :)

I appreciate your time.

Sean

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 Post subject: Re: Martin 0-18 bridge
PostPosted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 12:18 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2008 5:21 am
Posts: 4915
Location: Central PA
First name: john
Last Name: hall
City: Hegins
State: pa
Zip/Postal Code: 17938
Country: usa
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
the bridges spec as .325 .120 saddle
martin would hand make and size them I have seen them from 1/4 inch thick to 3/8 measured at the G string

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