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Post subject: Re-string and saddle alignment at start.
Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 5:04 am
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Hi everyone,

I want to restring my Precision.

I've sorted the intonation by moving my bridge saddles on my current strings and I understand that process, but currently, the saddles are not in that staggered alignment that you see from the factory when you buy a new bass: to get the intonation correct (and to get each note playing in tune) I moved them so that at the moment, the e and a string saddles are give or take equal and the same for the d & g, although the latter are closer to the neck.

Is there some sort of formula to get the saddle placements back in that diagonal line as per the factory as a starting point when I re-string?

Does it really matter, save that it looks nice?

Thanks guys.


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Post subject: Re: Re-string and saddle alignment at start.
Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 8:13 am
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I'll be the first one to admit that I'm not that great at set-ups, I can do O.K. but I'd rather have someone experienced do it. I'm saying that to clarify I have no opinion.

Here's some information for you to go over.


http://brotherdave.com/add_maint.htm


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Post subject: Re: Re-string and saddle alignment at start.
Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 1:59 pm
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the center of the saddle to the center of the 12th fret should be the same distance as the inside neck side of the nut to the center of the 12th fret. That's the best way to get started or to understand what is going on with setting the bridge for proper in tune- ness.


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Post subject: Re: Re-string and saddle alignment at start.
Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 9:48 pm
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Here is exactly how you do it, as told by Fender. This is how I have been doing it, and it works perfectly:

"You can preset the basic intonation of your bass by taking a tape measure and measuring from the inside of the nut to the center of the 12th fret (the fret wire itself; not the fingerboard). Double that measurement to find the scale length of your bass.

Adjust the first-string bridge saddle to this scale length, measuring from the inside of the nut to the center of the bridge saddle. Now adjust the distance of the second saddle back from the first saddle, using the gauge of the second string as a measurement. For example, if the second string is .060" (1.5 mm), you would move the second-string saddle back .060" (1.5 mm) from the first saddle. Move the third saddle back from the second saddle, using the gauge of the third string as a measurement. Adjust the fourth saddle in the same manner (and fifth if you have a five-string bass).

Note: If you're using a taper-wound fourth string (and fifth if it's a five-string bass), use the actual gauge of the string for your measurement rather than the dimension of the tapered portion of the string."


Full article here:
http://www.fender.com/support/articles/ ... etup-guide


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Post subject: Re: Re-string and saddle alignment at start.
Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 3:33 am
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Fantastic!

As always, you guys know the answer.

Thanks very much.


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Post subject: Re: Re-string and saddle alignment at start.
Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 5:57 am
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Location: malaga Spain
The method i use is to plug in to an electronic tuner then tune each string to concert pitch the press on the twelfh fret and if it is sharp or flat move the saddle forwards or backwards until you get the same reading, any tiny variation in pitch is not really noticable in a band situation, this has to be done every time you change your strings to a different guage or and even the same guage whether it is the same manufacturer or someone else´s
i dont usualy post messages so i am probably down as a "Newbie" in fact i have been playing in bands for 40 years, Hope this help...Pete Bass


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Post subject: Re: Re-string and saddle alignment at start.
Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 10:04 am
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lungimsam wrote:
Here is exactly how you do it, as told by Fender. This is how I have been doing it, and it works perfectly:

"You can preset the basic intonation of your bass by taking a tape measure and measuring from the inside of the nut to the center of the 12th fret (the fret wire itself; not the fingerboard). Double that measurement to find the scale length of your bass.

Adjust the first-string bridge saddle to this scale length, measuring from the inside of the nut to the center of the bridge saddle. Now adjust the distance of the second saddle back from the first saddle, using the gauge of the second string as a measurement. For example, if the second string is .060" (1.5 mm), you would move the second-string saddle back .060" (1.5 mm) from the first saddle. Move the third saddle back from the second saddle, using the gauge of the third string as a measurement. Adjust the fourth saddle in the same manner (and fifth if you have a five-string bass).

Note: If you're using a taper-wound fourth string (and fifth if it's a five-string bass), use the actual gauge of the string for your measurement rather than the dimension of the tapered portion of the string."


Full article here:
http://www.fender.com/support/articles/ ... etup-guide


I guess I didn't say it long enough! HA!!!!!!!!


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Post subject: Re: Re-string and saddle alignment at start.
Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 12:30 pm
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REDLAWMAN wrote:
Fantastic!

As always, you guys know the answer.

Thanks very much.



Glad to help. Especially as I learned it from the Fender set-up page, too.
Tip: Instead of measuring with a ruler to move every saddle back. You can also just cut off an old set of strings about an inch past the ball end, and use the string stubs of each guage as your measurement template for setting each saddle back, if you know what I mean.


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Post subject: Re: Re-string and saddle alignment at start.
Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 8:45 pm
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All that setup guide stuff to me is just GUIDELINES, not the final say, but merely a starting point if you have ALL the strings off such as when you put on a new bridge. The final say comes from the strobotuner or electronic tuner. I have one bass with the saddles set about exactly like yours that is in perfect intonation all the way to the 24th fret and plays like a stick of room temp butter. I think different string designs, string tensions and the amount of relief in the neck can wreck the scale length and string gauge formula. A super low picker setup seems to play flatter up the neck than the higher setup that may be required for aggressive fingerstyle. So long as it plays in good intonation, I don't care where the saddles are.


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Post subject: Re: Re-string and saddle alignment at start.
Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2011 9:55 am
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brotherdave wrote:
........ So long as it plays in good intonation, I don't care where the saddles are.

That's the way I always thought about the position of the saddles. Glad to see I'm not the only one.

_________________
2012 American Standard Precision V - Candy Cola Red
2012 Squier Vintage Modified Jazz V - Surf Green
2011 FCS Custom Classic Special Jazz Bass V - Violin Burst
1996 MIM Stratocaster HSS - Black
1975 Precision Bass - 3 Tone Sunburst


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Post subject: Re: Re-string and saddle alignment at start.
Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 10:25 am
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No, I want my saddles in the Missionary position only. Also .. as long as my tuners keep my bass in tune.... I don't care if they work . :D


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Post subject: Re: Re-string and saddle alignment at start.
Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 7:59 pm
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stroker vance wrote:
No, I want my saddles in the Missionary position only. Also .. as long as my tuners keep my bass in tune.... I don't care if they work . :D

Well now I'm scaring myself. That makes perfectly good sense to me! :shock:

_________________
2012 American Standard Precision V - Candy Cola Red
2012 Squier Vintage Modified Jazz V - Surf Green
2011 FCS Custom Classic Special Jazz Bass V - Violin Burst
1996 MIM Stratocaster HSS - Black
1975 Precision Bass - 3 Tone Sunburst


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