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Topic starter
29/12/2009 4:27 am
Hi Folks
I have a relatively cheap electric guitar that I got hold of in order to strip the guts out over time. It looks like a Les Paul but is completely hollow..anyway is a fun project to try to get it to sound the way I want. I have an interesting problem I haven't seen before. I upgraded the bridge to a Gotoh ABR-1, and the grooves for the strings on each saddle are very small compared to other bridges I've seen. It's not a problem on any of the strings exept the 1st string. If I bend up more than half a step anywhere above the 6th or 7th fret the string falls out of the saddle. It's a major pain. Any tips on how to fix it?
Cheers
Andrew
29/12/2009 2:19 pm
Welcome Andrew. Glad you joined.
I bought the Gotoh bridge too as an upgrade, but sold that particular instrument - if you don't know already, for no reason, just because somebody wanted it, my Gold Top.
It seems that those saddles want light strings, 9's to be exact, or you could easily try a hybrid set, from 9 - 46 if you like thicker uppers. :shock: That would be Ernie Ball Slinkys, which will bend like rubber, and thereby put less stress on the string's take-off point.
Your real mechanical option is to file the nut slot - have a go at it, and ruin an inexpensive nail file if you want. Just rember to keep a nice burr-free, clean V, and dont file too deep. Just a few microns is enough.
Problems are common, you can see in this stock enlargement, how G-B-E strings tend to slide and can reseat themselves - there are 2 grooves per saddle as a result.
You could also steal a B string saddle from another bridge, and sub it in.
Like a bird on the wire,
like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free.
Topic starter
02/01/2010 9:32 pm
Hi Blue Jay
Many thanks for the quick feedback - I do have 9's on there. But I followed your advice, got a very fine file and gave the notch a very small amount of filing and it's done the trick. Many thanks for your help...
Cheers
Andy
03/01/2010 2:50 am
You're welcome, I like it when a plan comes together, nice job! :D
Like a bird on the wire,
like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free.