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February 2008
Posts: 158
Location: South Windsor Connecticut | Hi Guys,
My recent purchase of a 40 year old 1111-4 has a problem. The bridge seems to be to wide and the saddle leans forward as a result. Any ideas as to what to do. I was going to try and put in a shim in the front of it, but I can't even find a place that sells them. Would it be easier to buy a new wider saddle and fit it to the slot?
TOP |
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December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | Could you post a picture? |
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February 2004
Posts: 1634
Location: Warren,Pa. | Saddles commonly come in 2 thicknesses...3/32" and 1/8". There are exceptions.
Measure the thickness of the slot. You can buy blanks that are oversized and then you sand and shape to fit your needs.
John <>{ |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | Those older Balladeers have an unusual size saddle slot in the bridge. The saddle on yours sounds like it's not the original one. I once hand made a new bone saddle for one of these Balladeers from a 1/4" blank that I bought at GC for $5. It was a lot of work to get the saddle to the right thickness, but the rest of the shaping was easy by comparison.
My suggestions:
1) email Kim Keller at the factory to see if they have any.
2) get a bone blank, some sandpaper. a solid flat working suface and try to DIY.
3) Send it (or bring it, you're close enough to New Hartford) to the factory and have them do it.
If you choose plan 3 it'll cost you a bit more but the factory will level/dress the frets and set it up to perfection. |
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Joined:
July 2002
Posts: 1900
| I vote for #2. Saddles are fairly easy to work with. I'm not a rocket scientist and I did the saddle on my daughter's acoustic. It has killer action now, better than my Legend. (until it comes back from a factory neck reset.. :) ) |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | #2. |
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Joined:
February 2008
Posts: 158
Location: South Windsor Connecticut | Thanks guys, #2 it is.
I will let you know how bad I mess it up, lol.
TOP |
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October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | Hey TopDog,
Talk to chris and ask him for suggesions. He is real good at thing like this. I "fixed" My Elite and my Jumbo Parkwood. |
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October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | Top Dog,
Talk to Chris, because he fixed them. Still not 100% |
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December 2003
Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | Originally posted by TOPDOGJIM:
Thanks guys, #2 it is.
I will let you know how bad I mess it up, lol.
TOP The key to sucess is to have a flat hard working surface that you can clamp the sandpaper to. I used a small slab of Corian. I cut the blank to length first, sanded to the correct thickness, then shaped the top to match the original saddle. The last step is to sand the bottom of the saddle for proper action. It's boring work. A tight fitting rubber glove (Playtex) helps to keep a good grip on the saddle. Work slow, have a beer. The hardest part was getting the thickness even. Mark how much material needs to be sanded away on all sides with a sharp pencil. If you really screw up, get another blank and try again. |
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February 2008
Posts: 158
Location: South Windsor Connecticut | Thanks Mitchrx, now that you mentioned it, I will order two to start off with.
TOP |
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December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | From what I overheard while stationed in Idaho, I can confirm that a loose saddle can cause denture problems! |
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July 2002
Posts: 280
Location: Waterloo, IL | A loose saddle can also cause you to fall off of your horse. ;) |
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Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by Chuck (Retired Navy):
A loose saddle can also cause you to fall off of your horse. ;) Ergo, denture issues... |
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July 2002
Posts: 280
Location: Waterloo, IL | As long as I don't fall off my truck.
(Charlotte, NC) |
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My Bridge and Saddle Need Help
