Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Rand Moore on June 28, 2012 at 3:24am

On my instruments the bridge is typically a tad bit higher than the nut to give the strings a bit more height off the fretboard (i.e. to raise the action). But then my builds are not really meant for slide playing and I generally go for low string action. Those times I have to raise the bridge by adding a shim under the "bolt and nut" bridge are usually after I find a fret that's buzzing because the next fret is too high (and can't be fixed by hitting again with a hammer). When I correct the nut, it is usually by filling a grove in the neck because the strings are not touching fret 0 with enough force resulting in buzz or off-tuned note. The groove effectively lowers the bolt that serves as my nut (or string tee), bringing the strings into better contact with fret 0 and thereby eliminating the buzzing.. The bridge height on my instruments usually is dictated by the size (diameter) of the bolt which usually is metric size 8 and the nut is usually metric size 6 but as I have said sometimes I have to use a shim, usually cut from 2mm thick plywood veneer. Hope this helps.
Good luck with your build(s).
-Rand.

Permalink Reply by Dan Sleep on June 28, 2012 at 3:31am

I put a short beginner's video on my page here that may help you a bit.

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/video/string-action

Permalink Reply by C.W. on June 28, 2012 at 9:03am

Your video was extremely helpful. Thank you!