• Registered: 2008-02-02
  • Posts: 51

Topic: bridge Angle question, Les Paul

As I was adjusting the intonation at the weekend after a string change (i.e., by moving the saddles), I was struck by a simple question - why is the bridge set at an angle, and not straight like the stop-bar is?

I searched the web but couldn't find the answer. Any guitar builders out there who could put me out of my misery?

thanks
kevin

You never know what's going to happen.....
  • From: North Andover, MA
  • Registered: 2010-03-23
  • Posts: 35

Re: bridge Angle question, Les Paul

I think it is like that to put the adjustable portion of the bridge in the correct physical location.  The higher strings are "shorter" per-se, and by angling the bridge, your range of adjustment is in the right spot.  On a strat bridge for example, the range of adjustment of each saddle is huge...so the bridge can be "straight" and you can adjust the saddles to compensate. 

I don't know if this makes any sense...I have been working all day and I am exhausted!

Amps: Hand Made JTM-45, 18 Watt TMB, AB763 Pro, Route 66 Clone.
Guitars: 2007 R8 Les Paul Iced Tea Burst, Refinished 83 Les Paul Studio, , Homemade 50's S style guitar.
Effects: Micro Vibe, CryBaby, Fulldrive II, OCD, Fat Boost V1
  • Registered: 2008-02-02
  • Posts: 51

Re: bridge Angle question, Les Paul

Thanks Hillcountry-san....

I was wondering if there were any mathematics behind the angle of the bridge.

Actually, the deeper reason I am asking is that I couldn't adjust the G-string saddle back far enough for proper intonation, and so I now have to turn the saddle around so it faces the other way, i.,e to effectively move the top of the saddle ridge towards the stopbar, as the saddle is not symmetrical
(I have a Gotoh bridge on my History Les Paul copy, still trying to figure out how to dismount the damn saddle).

so,  am just being inquisitive - wondering if the bridge is really set at the correct angle anyway (all other strings are OK, just the G-string is a bit off)

You never know what's going to happen.....
  • Registered: 2008-02-02
  • Posts: 51

Re: bridge Angle question, Les Paul

PS, I live in japan, hence the "hillcountry-san" bit

You never know what's going to happen.....
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: bridge Angle question, Les Paul

I would look into Buzz Feiten nut. That can help intonation too because the nut  on the neck is a lot different on a buzz feiten nut. Lots of people are getting this and like it. just fyi

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: North Andover, MA
  • Registered: 2010-03-23
  • Posts: 35

Re: bridge Angle question, Les Paul

Good question on the angle degree...I don't know what it is.  It is common to flip the saddles around to get some extra intonation.  Some of the bridges have a wire-spring like thing holding the saddles in.  I have taken them out of a Gotoh style bridge...but off the top of my head I can't remember how.  The compensated nut idea is also good.  Also sometimes a bad string will be hard to intonate...and I don't know why...but it seems to be true.

When I get home I will look at the bridge...it will probably all come back then.

Hillcountry

Amps: Hand Made JTM-45, 18 Watt TMB, AB763 Pro, Route 66 Clone.
Guitars: 2007 R8 Les Paul Iced Tea Burst, Refinished 83 Les Paul Studio, , Homemade 50's S style guitar.
Effects: Micro Vibe, CryBaby, Fulldrive II, OCD, Fat Boost V1
  • Registered: 2008-02-02
  • Posts: 51

Re: bridge Angle question, Les Paul

I found a couple of websites..... it looks perhaps a bit technical for this forum discussion, but am posting anyway for those who have been following this. In the meantime, I look forward to hearing from Hillcountry abut the Gotoh bridge

arigato!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal_temperament

http://hubpages.com/hub/Equal-Temperament-Guitar-Tuning

You never know what's going to happen.....
  • Registered: 2008-02-02
  • Posts: 51

Re: bridge Angle question, Les Paul

I also read another site, which I can't seem to find at the moment, where it explained that the string tension changes when you fret a string. Different string sizes result in different tension changes at the same fret (low, E, High E, for example) so the tension change ratio is different. The change in tension changes the pitch a bit - so in essence this helped to explain why the bridge is at an angle, but I couldn't find a clear technical explanation yet (i.,e how the angle is calculated)

You never know what's going to happen.....