Tune-o-matic Bridge Saddle Intonation Tip Billy Penn 300guit

[wickedgit]

If i take the bridge of and of course the strings , does that affect the neck when I do that procedure? And the little thing that you but on the frontside of the bridge what is that? I got my first guitar(an les paul) with a fixed bridge thats why i was wondering.

[sholomyaakov]

That's great. Just what I was looking for. G string still played sharp with saddle all the way back. Looking forward to flipping that bad boy around. Thanks, Billy!

[GigglingGirI]

Aloha Billie thank you so much for this video i am having this same issue on our Gibson ES175.

Just one question should the sharp end of the screw be facing the tail piece or the fret tuners?

[seeauroraplay]

Hello Billy! THX for keep posting these videos! They are of great help!

I have a problem with a TOM bridge on a LP copy. The bushings of both the tailpiece and bridge raised some 1 / 1.5 mm enevenly, maybe due to the string tension and the arched top (Iis it structural?). I tried to lower them using a rubber hammer but I didn't fix it. In your opinion, should I use a glue, fill the holes with wood filler and/or drill new holes? Whant would Billy do? Many thanks in advance!

[maxbunker67]

Hi Billy, I followed your advice. I flipped the saddle and finally I reached perfect intonation whithout spacing problem with the strings. Works fine!!

Thanks a lot!

[300guitars]

@maxbunker67 Hey great!!! I am glad I could help. If you would like even more info please check out my new Guitar Set Up Guide ebook on my 300 guitars site. Please feel free to ask any questions any time. Happy to help!! -Billy

[maxbunker67]

Hi Bill, maybe you have just aswered about this question. I have an les paul custom reissue 68 with the same problem as described on yours video. The issue is on E low string. But if I flip the saddle the correct horizotal spacing between the E and A string change, because not always the cut for the string on the top of saddle has perfectly in the middle position. Is it correct my question or not?

Thanks in advance

I'm italian, Im sorry about my english.

[300guitars]

@maxbunker67 This can be a problem. There are two different things you can do. 1- Make another slot in the saddle in the correct location. 2- Get a new saddle and make the slot in the correct location. Let me know how it goes. -Billy

[JamesTAEwriter]

I just wanted to say, I've been having issues with my guitar following a detuning, and this trick absolutely sorted it. The axe sounds better than ever and holds tuning much better all over the neck. Amazing little trick (and also helped me learn a little more about guitar tech). Thanks a lot!

[Farhin92]

Same, i can't take it off. i'm using a Washburn, and the bridge looks dead closed. ...

[GuitarRazze]

I cant get the saddle of my guitar, i cant take it like you did

[wipers86]

@300guitars thanks for the feed back man :))

[300guitars]

@wipers86 No problem, any time!! -Billy

[wipers86]

@300guitars my guitar doesn't sustain that long does hiring or lowering the tail piece increase its sustain I've asked a few people on here and have had no response

[300guitars]

@wipers86 Yes. Lowering the tailpiece will help to increase sustain. But try not to let the angle of the strings hit any part of the bridge except for the saddle. I have a guitar set up guide ebook coming out that goes into great detail. If you check my site (300guitars) about September 15th it will be available. Hit me up any time with questions. I am happy to answer. -Billy

[GigglingGirI]

Do you recommend this GB103B bridge?? It's on the Pat Metheny guitar.

[300guitars]

@GigglingGirI Send me a pic of the guitar. I just friend requested you so I can send you a link for replacement bridges for the Ibanez guitars. -Billy

[GigglingGirI]

Do you recommend this GB103B bridge??

[JonProactiveLogic]

Awesome tip man, love it!

[alexisch1]

okay here's the problem Billy, I'm getting a Epiphone Sg G-400 for less than 100 dollars totally new, barely used.. I could say semi-new, I'm a lefty and my problem is that I'm gonna change the strings upside-down, so I really need to know if this affects and if it does what can I do about it? Really need this help..

[tootlesflubb]

Hey Billy I have an LTD I drop to C standard, and the fourth string jut will not intonate down to Bb. I had an idea for a design that would extend the range of the saddle piece, but can't make it myself... Any idea if there is anything out there that has a lip on the saddle allow it to slide over the edge of the bridge piece and intonate past the normal range?

[smckinney738]

how much does this guy look like teabag out of prisonbreak :L

[dcccapfan]

Okay I have a dean with the same bridge. The previous owner decided to remove the saddle screws and fretts X-( also in removing the screws he snapped a few of them off in the saddle so they are stuck X-( what can I do to fix the mess he made? I love the dean guitars and it was a good price. Didnt know it was messed up when I bought it. How can i fix this and get it to play right?

[300guitars]

@dcccapfan I'd say just get a whole new bridge. You may not be able to fix the original one. -Billy

[caulinrocker1]

had this problem with my sg and flipping helped but not totaly so i simply lower4ed the action so there was less string bending at the twelth fret and finaly it intonated perfectly

[ricardoalvarez257]

And what if that still doesn't help? If flipping them is not enough, what is the intonation problem?

[300guitars]

@ricardoalvarez257 It could mean that your guitars neck needs to be adjusted. Your nut slot depth may be too high and frets could needs to be dressed. -Billy

[ricardoalvarez257]

And what if that still doesn't help? If flipping them is not enough, what is the intonation problem?

[enchantedfarmstead]

Oh. So that's why some of my saddles are facing opposite directions. Thanks.

[TiagoJazzGuitar]

Billy, I am a brazillian and maybe my english could be bad...

I hope you can understand me hahah!

I really like your videos and I have a question:

how can I set intonaion in a wood bridge ( like in the archtop guitars )?

Thanks a lot!

[elliotdeware87]

Flipbadedoo! =D

[JWOwen95]

I can't get the damn saddle out of the bridge. Any tips?

[trivium17rules]

@JWOwen95 I couldn't either, but then I shoved a screwdriver in between the screw head and the bridge and levered it, probably not a good way to do it but it does the trick.

Thanks for the video, it was really helpful.

[duby121]

thats a fucking beautiful guitar

[MikeTheGuy00]

Billy... you're doing god's work. You are the shit.

[DRockdriguez23]

Nice tip man.... thanks!

[Cuervo4992]

haha he took out the d saddle, but it doesn't matter it's just an example.

[wisesatyr72]

yeah my Gibson explorer's Low E string would not intonate and the saddle are facing the same way showing in this video what should I do ?

[gibsongold1970]

the tune-o-matic bridge loses sustain and tuneability.

gibson needs to put the bridge on the body,like in the ole' days.wtf?

[ohu8one2008]

Hey Billy I watched the session on adjusting the new Tune-o-matic Bridge. I have a Les Paul Custom black and gold guitar that I am thinking of changing the saddle on. I noticed that the new saddles have no slot for the string to lay in. Will it make one after the strings are put on? The other question is should the strings be touching the back of the Tune-o-matic Bridge before laying over the saddles coming off of the tail piece? And third should the tail piece be all the way down to the body?

[edskate787]

Hey man, when you say "trying to get a G but you still get a G#, you mean on the twelfth fret right??? Cuz you can tune your guitar open perfectly, but when you play on the twelfth fret is when you might still have out of tune right?" I'm trying to learn how to set mine up. I'd be grateful if you could help me out...

[rodnor69]

Billy, I need more travel on the low E and A saddles but the groove on each of them is off center, so by flipping them I end up altering the distance between the strings. Do I have to buy "virgin" saddles and make the grooves myself?

[300guitars]

@rodnor69 Probably.....but depending on how deep the grooves are you may be able to use a file to make the top of the saddle flat again and cut a new groove. All depends on how deep the groove is now.... -Billy

[rodnor69]

@300guitars Thanks a lot!

[300guitars]

@rodnor69 No problem..!!!

[TheExopolitics]

billy, so why not just turn all of the saddles around? would it change anything?

[300guitars]

@TheExopolitics You only need to turn the ones around that need to be turned around. Some of them are fine the way they are.. -Billy

[300guitars]

@flrider7 Sometimes we tend to think the worst and make more out of things than necessary... Glad I could help..!! -Billy

[andieyrock]

i just bought an epiphone les paul about 1 week ago,but after a fews days using it. the fret buzzing just get on my guitar. it very frustated..i try to adjust the trus rod but the thing getting worse.what should i do man??

[AbusiveCynic]

hi t-bag!

[nazmilsulaiman]

hello,how to do hairline crack on guitar body?

[300guitars]

@nazmilsulaiman Can you explain your question in more detail? I am happy to help..!! -Billy

[300guitars]

@nazmilsulaiman There is a process of heating and rapidly cooling the guitars finish. It works the best on lacquer guitars...not poly finishes. What guitar do you have? -Billy

[dbenc]

Does a TOM intonation work the same way as a Floyd? Fret the 12th and then harmonic the 12th then move the saddle according to if the note is # or b..

[300guitars]

@dbenc Yes... I use a Peterson tuner and go by the open string, harmonic and 12th fret octave.. -Billy

[peniosasdasd]

I bought a Gibson SG copy from a local music store for about $150, and half of the saddles are facing forward and half are facing back. The slanted end is facing towards the neck on the first 3 low strings and the opposite on the high 3. My G string broke at the bridge today while doing a small bend, and considering that I have not set up the guitar at all I blame it on that. The action was really high to begin with, so I raised the stopbar in the back but didnt touch the bridge at all.

Help?

[300guitars]

@peniosasdasd Can you tell me what your exact question is? I am happy to help!! -Billy

[peniosasdasd]

@300guitars

I'm just wondering if it'd be good for me to put all the saddles facing the same way. Also, is there any specific way to tune the position of the saddles? Like with high strings being closer to the stop bar or the neck, and the same with the lower strings? So really what string saddles should be closer to the neck, the lower ones or the higher ones?

[300guitars]

@peniosasdasd The saddles do not have to be facing the same way. There is also no "set in stone" saddles that should be closer or further from either the neck or the tailpiece. I'd say whatever way the saddles came leave them alone unless there is an intonation problem. I would set the guitar up, new strings and then see where you're at. That might just get the guitar playing and feeling great.. -Billy

[peniosasdasd]

@300guitars

Alright. When I raised the stop bar up to ease up on the action the tone got really dead and flat. Not awful exactly, but not how the demo sounded before I bought it! Thanks for the help, I look forward to messing with it tonight.

[littlewing62]

@300guitars hello billy, thanks for the great videos. i have a question, i've changed my strings on my les paul the other day and i've noticed that i've accidentally changed the height of my stopbar, is there any required height for it? how can i adjust it again and how will it affect the action/tone if it's not well adjusted? again thanks, cheers from geneva switzerland.

[300guitars]

@littlewing62 The lower you set the stopbar the "tighter" the strings will feel because of the increased break angle. It will also increase sustain. If you adjust it higher then the break angle is reduced and you will lose a bit of sustain but the strings will feel "looser". I do not know of a standard measurement or adjustment for this. I would set it as low as it will go without the strings touching any part of the bridge except for the saddles. Let me know how it goes!! -Billy

[littlewing62]

@300guitars Hey billy, thanks so much for the help. Before adjusting it the two E strings were touching the tune-o-matic, so now it's correct but don't feel radically different because it just took half a turn or a bit more. Another question, is there a standard adjustment for the tune-o-matic height? can you give me a tip for it to be well set up? thanks a million and cheers!

[300guitars]

@littlewing62 I like to adjust the bridge so the action is 4/64" from the top of the 12th fret to the bottom of the high E string. Then I like to see about 7/64" from the top of the 12th fret to the bottom of the low E string. That's a good starting point. Let me know how it goes.. -Billy

[b5b9]

You've got good hands, Mister Penn

[300guitars]

Thank you very kindly!!! -Billy

[JawrL95]

in my case, my string is flat, and the saddle is all the way up, i would still flip it around right?

[300guitars]

If its flat you would want the saddle to look like the first drawing I hold up. This will give you more travel and get that string to intonate. Make sure you have new strings as well. -Billy

[littlewing62]

300guitars great videos, thanks for uploading.. i know this question is a bit off topic but will be there any improvement in sustain if i replaced my stock gibson tune-o-matic with a tonepros tune-o-matic bridge? i own a '09 gibson les paul traditional. thanks :)

[300guitars]

Totally not off topic at all my friend.....it's all related! First of all I have not done an A/B comparison with the stock vs Tonepros bridges. I have heard however from some players that did swap their bridges that there was an improvement in sustain and tone. Callaham makes a good TOM repleacement as well you may want to check out... -Billy

[YofterMofter]

It's a great trick, thanks for posting it! I intuitively did that to my TOM equipped Ibanez JTK2, but it's a 25 1/2'' scale guitar, plus I play .012 gauge strings, so I'm still out of adjustment. I guess I need a "harmonica" style bridge, but I'm not sure if it will fit, because there are slight differences in string spread and post spacing between all the different bridges. Will it work? Thanks in advance.

[300guitars]

@YofterMofter The harmonica bridge does have more travel for sure. I think the Nashville bridge has more travel than a regular TOM but I'm not 100% sure about that one......-Billy

[gitardiva]

Great tip.

Thanks!

[300guitars]

Glad I could help!!! -Billy

[chadik1841]

i can't see it clearly billy..hehe it's kinda out of focus.. but i understaand the concept.. thanks for the great vid!!

[300guitars]

I am glad I could help. Let me know if you have any questions and I will help you. -Billy

[SpaceAceTX]

So disapointed in my new Gibson LP standard plus. Dreamed of owning one for years and have had it in the shop twice in the first 3 weeks. Saddle and nut work is a JOKE!! Should have stayed with usa Jackson, it came set up brand new like it was owned & played by a pro. BEWARE GIBSON, OVERPRICED AND UNDER BUILT.

[300guitars]

That's really too bad that you are having that much trouble with your LP. Do you think its just the particular guitar you bought or Gibson overall? I hate to hear that a player is having trouble with his guitar.....Let me know if I can be of any help and I will try for you. -Billy

[Lumenbrother]

The saddles on my GibsonSG Special T-O-M, were they to be turned 'round would be wrongly grooved as they are not cut in the middle (D,G,B,E) Is that not standard on all T-O-Ms ? Thanks for the video

[300guitars]

This is an EXCELLENT point. Sometimes this is the case where the slots are not in the middle of the saddle. When this happens you need to get a new saddle, turn it around like I suggest and then cut a new groove. It is a bit of a pita but will get the job done. Let me know if this helps! -Billy

[ninrocket]

I've done this before on the Tune-O-matics.

Nice one.

[tremelo68]

Your bridge has the screws on the back end of the guitar, but I have seen many TOMs with the screws facing the neck. Which is correct or is there a preference that you think works better? Thanks for the informative vids.

[300guitars]

I believe that the screws on Gibson guitars face the neck, good call! I have seen other brands such as the Yamaha in the video has them facing the other way. I like them facing the neck but I do not feel either one is right or wrong. Thanks for watching and the comment!! -Billy

[Hoopermazing]

Good video.

As for me, I'm a floating bridge man, so I'll just give her a nudge.

[300guitars]

Nudge away my friend! Check my floating bridge video tip on my channel. -BIlly

[messerJ4H]

Don't you think that this saddle flick is good only for cheap guitars? What I mean is that string slots in saddles and nut are side oriented. Probably even best guitars would sound weak with poorly cut slots...

So I would recommend buying a new saddle for that string and cutting a good shaped slot in it.

The other, better solution IMO is buying a new, wider bridge.

Can you make a tutorial about setting string action / bridge height in Les Paul style guitar?

[300guitars]

I have had emails form guys with Gibson SG guitars, Les Pauls and so forth. The guitars were just a little bit our of intonation and this works really well. Having poorly cut slots will definitely have a negative effect on the guitar but is kind of a separate issue. I agree that if the slots are cut poorly then you need a new saddle. If you have a Les Paul or 335 for example that has a '50s vintage vibe look, a wider bridge like a "harmonica" bridge may look out of place. I will do your video.