Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Korrigan on November 23, 2018 at 7:55am

There's no problem shimming bridges, I often do it with brass or aluminum to add mass and (hopefully) sustain. Hardwood or anything dense would work well too.

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Permalink Reply by Cause the Blue rat on November 23, 2018 at 7:57am

I've run into this problem myself. First if using a hard tail bridge try cutting a thin piece of wood the same size as the bridge. You could also do the same if your using a wood bridge. Just remember to glue the wood together so it won't come apart when you change strings. 

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Permalink Reply by Korrigan on November 23, 2018 at 9:41am

Oh yeah, I wasn't thinking about hardtails. 

MGB sells 3 and 4 string hardtail shims if you don't want to make them yourself (scroll down to the bottom of the page).

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Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on November 23, 2018 at 12:18pm

Hey Brent, is that a trick question? Haha, or a typo? How do the last 2-3 frets touch the pickup.

Taff

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Permalink Reply by Uncle John on November 24, 2018 at 11:36am

My two cents worth:  I shimmed one today with two pennies. 

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Permalink Reply by Korrigan on November 24, 2018 at 12:41pm

Har har!

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Permalink Reply by Brent Kasl on November 25, 2018 at 4:26am

MSG has spacers on the way to correct these four, how to correct in the future? Raise neck/fretboard?

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Permalink Reply by Brent Kasl on November 25, 2018 at 8:34am

Thinking of what can be done on future builds to prevent the need of bridge spacers.

I always have the thickness of the fretboard (1/4") the height over the lid but noticing pics from Snowden Guitars, he has thickness of fretboard plus an additional fretboard thickness by raising neck.

Is this a good alternative or are their other options?

See image below

Attachments:

• IMG_0758.JPG, 52 KB

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Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on November 25, 2018 at 11:30am

Hi Brent, WARNING the following my contain what could be seen as rules, sorry 'bout that.

There are a number of ways to get a bridge set at the best height. A higher bridge will contribute to better sound/output.

The first method is to draw a plan, side view of the instrument, and plot the string projection from the nut to the selected bridge height. The way I see it is ,if the bridge is at the height you want but the strings are too high or too low then adjustment to the neck is required. Either raising as you mentioned or changing the angle out of the body/box. Straightedge #1 helps here.

I normally use a more hands on method, and use physical jigs as shown here. I have pic's of them in use but you should get the idea from looking at the photo's

First the plan idea....

The hands on method Showing the different jigs/tools for plotting string projection This one uses actual strings.

# 1 shows bridge height, adjust neck until straightedge is level on fingerboard.
This one has a fret and a screw that simulates string height, for unfretted board.

All a bit rushed sorry, hope it helps Taff

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Permalink Reply by Brent Kasl on November 25, 2018 at 12:38pm

Looks like rocket science

Is their an optimum string clearance from lid?

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Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on November 25, 2018 at 1:02pm

Hmmm, I think break angle of the string over the bridge is more important. I like the strings far enough off off the top so that I'm not continually hitting the top with my pick or fingers. I could suggest a banjo bridge height as a guide 1/2" or 5/8". 

Taff

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Permalink Reply by BrianQ. on November 25, 2018 at 5:23pm

 Check this out, it my help? Pretty simple

https://cigarboxnation.com/forum/topics/feeler-gauge

Once you get one done you’ll have a working formula to go off, you just have to knock the first out of the way to get there? Good luck 

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