Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by John Sawyer on February 9, 2019 at 9:02pm

Every bridge has to be just a bit further out than the scale length.  This is due to aa coupl of factors:. The mass of the string, strings being stretched to fret or slide, and maybe the tension, too...    Take a look at any electric guitar.  They are made with adjustable bridges for a reason .  Acoustics with fixed bridges are affected by string gauge changes accordingly.    

It has been my experience that a slide guitar with a 25 inch scale, the low g string has to be about 3/16 inch longer than the scale length, and the high g string has to be about 1/16" too long...

YMMV...

Permalink Reply by Blind Lemon Cello on February 10, 2019 at 2:25am

If your using a non-adjustable fixed bridge that could be your issue.

Try a floating bridge and angle as needed.

Permalink Reply by Andy Dobbs on February 10, 2019 at 2:42am

Here’s a good video to watch.

https://youtu.be/Y6pE6E7iuvI

Permalink Reply by Joe Caruso on February 10, 2019 at 4:47am

Andy - great video! Thanks for sharing.

Permalink Reply by Gus K on February 10, 2019 at 2:43am

You string height (action) also is a factor.

Permalink Reply by Andy Dobbs on February 10, 2019 at 2:44am

Take a picture of the bridge you are using. That would help.

Permalink Reply by Murray on February 10, 2019 at 7:33am

I purchased a uke (defective, 1 of 2200 made, but repaired) with that problem.

I kept thinking "the frets must be...no, how hard is it to get them in the right place in a factory?", but gave up & had a luthier look at it.

In my case, the frets were spaced correctly, but the distance from the nut to the first fret was too long...almost 1/8" on 20" baritone scale).

Not perfect yet, going to file the nut notch some day.

Basically, he told me to take the nut off, shorten the end, reinstall & recheck, repeat (string tension is enough to hold the nut in place...if too much material is removed, can shim to lengthen).

If you have a 'no rules' CBG nut, look at the distance to the first fret.

Murray

Permalink Reply by MadGomer on February 10, 2019 at 11:02am

Murray's advice is good, but my first thought was the same as Gus'. With the strings open, how much height do you have between strings and 1st fret? How about at 12th fret? Lay a straightedge on your frets, is the neck bowed up?

Permalink Reply by Arthur Payne on February 10, 2019 at 8:53pm

Thanks for all the suggestions.   Checked the distance from nut to first fret and it's 36.5mm (1.437")  to the top centre of the fret which is right for a 25.5 inch scale.   If the measurement has to be taken from nut to the nearest edge of the fret then I'm a mm. out.    Re. string height: 2.5mm (.100") at the nut and at 12th fret 4mm (.15")

The bridge is a cut from a piece of red gum - a hard wood.   Have attached pics.

Art.

Attachments:

• cbg2.jpg, 1.4 MB
• cbg3.jpg, 2.8 MB

Permalink Reply by Gus K on February 11, 2019 at 2:32am

Your bridge is too straight.  The low strings need to be longer than the high ones.   Just start scooting the bridge a bit while checking intonation at the 12th fret. 

Permalink Reply by Gus K on February 11, 2019 at 2:51am

String length can also be adjusted by the depth of your string grooves, deeper for the high, going shallower to the low.  'Typically preferred action on an electric guitar is around 1/16" (1.6mm) on the high E string and 3/32" (2.4mm) on the low E string.'

Permalink Reply by Arthur Payne on February 11, 2019 at 3:10pm

Thanks Gus,

Will make some adjustments.  

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