https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/lowered-the-saddle-to-the-max-now-what/ Guitar Noise Discussion Board en-US Fri, 05 Jun 2026 07:43:40 +0000 wpForo 60 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/lowered-the-saddle-to-the-max-now-what/#post-152533 Tue, 17 Jan 2006 00:19:06 +0000
Tightening the truss will straighten the neck.
A loose truss rod bows the neck from string tension resulting in higher action.
(It's actually slightly more complicated than that.)

Check the articles on these web sites:
http://www.frets.com/
http://www.fretnotguitarrepair.com/Repairs2.htm

The other option is to remove the saddle and replace it with something lower, which is a lot easier than resetting the neck. There's an article on frets.com showing how to do it.

Good luck!!]]> Guitar Repair and Maintenance PRNDL https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/lowered-the-saddle-to-the-max-now-what/#post-152533 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/lowered-the-saddle-to-the-max-now-what/#post-141778 Thu, 01 Dec 2005 07:02:51 +0000 Guitar Repair and Maintenance racetruck1 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/lowered-the-saddle-to-the-max-now-what/#post-141778 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/lowered-the-saddle-to-the-max-now-what/#post-132725 Sat, 15 Oct 2005 16:28:14 +0000
I agree with Nick - sounds like you're bellying.

If the bridge was just improperly matched to the guitar, you can remove & trim the bridge (a big deal - you need to get it in the same spot, and need special cauls for the gluing)... or you might be able to reset the neck at a better angle for the nut/fingerboard/saddle geometry.]]> Guitar Repair and Maintenance NoteBoat https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/lowered-the-saddle-to-the-max-now-what/#post-132725 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/lowered-the-saddle-to-the-max-now-what/#post-132706 Sat, 15 Oct 2005 14:47:59 +0000
When you take the saddle down that low, you decrease the break angle of the strings which in turn decreases the amount of energy transfered to the top.

Is the top bellying? Show us a pic.]]> Guitar Repair and Maintenance Nick Torres https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/lowered-the-saddle-to-the-max-now-what/#post-132706 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/lowered-the-saddle-to-the-max-now-what/#post-132683 Sat, 15 Oct 2005 08:45:40 +0000 I am just learnign to play the guitar now, the first few open chords. The action is very high on my guitar. Its a second hand guitar and seems the neck must be a bit bent over the years.
I brought the saddle as low as i cud. But notes after the 10th fret don't sound, they just buzz, in fact i don even think its a buzz as much as a ttzzzz.
Are low height saddles available or is it possible to repair the neck to get it more straight?]]> Guitar Repair and Maintenance heyz https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/lowered-the-saddle-to-the-max-now-what/#post-132683 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/lowered-the-saddle-to-the-max-now-what/#post-129731 Mon, 03 Oct 2005 16:19:27 +0000
Thanks, I will get the old feeler gauges out tonight and let you know.

All the best

Matt]]> Guitar Repair and Maintenance mattguitar https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/lowered-the-saddle-to-the-max-now-what/#post-129731 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/lowered-the-saddle-to-the-max-now-what/#post-129726 Mon, 03 Oct 2005 16:15:06 +0000 Guitar Repair and Maintenance Nils https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/lowered-the-saddle-to-the-max-now-what/#post-129726 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/lowered-the-saddle-to-the-max-now-what/#post-129725 Mon, 03 Oct 2005 16:12:44 +0000
You could shave a little off of the bridge itself but I don't recommend this since it weakens the structure.

You could go with a lower bridge style. eg. less thickness between the top at the saddle and less top thickness (lower profile).

Or just enjoy it the way it is. Just curious, how low is it at the 12th now? You can only go so far and you will start losing sound and/or sustain anyway.]]> Guitar Repair and Maintenance Nils https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/lowered-the-saddle-to-the-max-now-what/#post-129725 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/lowered-the-saddle-to-the-max-now-what/#post-12186 Mon, 03 Oct 2005 15:59:37 +0000
All went well, I took about 1/8th of an inch off. But now I have a problem, there is virtually no adjustment left (in other words the saddle only justs pokes out about the bridge, particularly on the high E side). And yet the action, although a lot better, still isn't really low.

What now....?? If I want to go even lower what choices do i have?

Thanks

Matt]]> Guitar Repair and Maintenance mattguitar https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/lowered-the-saddle-to-the-max-now-what/#post-12186