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piezo rod cutting down to size

This is really two questions in one. I'm told 6 segment piezo rods can be cut to 3 or 4 segments, so what is the best way to do this, hacksaw, craft blade or wire cutters etc?

Secondly, for a 3 string cbg, could I use 4 segments to make full use of the saddle width? I guess this would give slightly more volume also, than 3 segments. I would also guess the placement of each segment in relation to the strings makes no difference, unlike magnetic pickups.

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Permalink Reply by Randy S. Bretz on August 21, 2014 at 1:01am

First...once you cut it down you can only use the part that has the rod wire connected to, to still work. Second...doesn`t matter how long or short it is it still produces the same volume. The shortest rod I ever used on one of my custom bridges was 1" long and it produced the same volume as a full length rod...only real difference is the amount of strings compared to the 2 stringer that the 1 " rod was used on as far as volume. When I cut mine down I use a pair of sidecutters pliers and cut the rod on it`s side Not !!! from the top down. Then take a pair of regular pliers and re square the end. Best to test the rod that it`s working properly before installing it in the bridge.

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Permalink Reply by Mike on August 21, 2014 at 1:27am

Thanks for the reply, so it would be ok to use 4 segments with the 3 strings above the spaces between the segments?

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Permalink Reply by Dan Sleep on August 21, 2014 at 1:42am

You should not be letting the strings ride directly on the rod. You should use a saddle, so the strings ride on the saddle, and the saddle rides on the rod. So it does not matter where the strings are, since the pressure of the saddle on the rod is what makes it work.

I have had better luck using a Dremel tool to cut them instead of side cutters.

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Permalink Reply by Randy S. Bretz on August 21, 2014 at 3:02am

Dan I would think he would know that already, that you must use a saddle of some kind on the rod.

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Permalink Reply by Dan Sleep on August 21, 2014 at 3:08am

Well, I hate to assume knowledge on anyone's part. Hopefully he was not insulted.

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Permalink Reply by Mike on August 21, 2014 at 4:56am

Yes Dan, thanks. I am aware of the saddle as Randy says, just didn't mention it in my post. Not at all insulted. I hadn't thought of the Dremel, I've just put it away after cutting the saddle slots, so I'll have to get it out again. Thanks everyone.

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Permalink Reply by Randy S. Bretz on August 21, 2014 at 3:04am

Yes ..........just center the strings on the saddle, for myself I use 3 different sizes in my custom rod bridges, 1 1/2", 2" and the full 2 3/4" rods.