Are my saddles set up right?

[jazzyvee]

I've wondered if my saddles on my S1 shorty have been put on right by the previous owner. The string spacing feels wrong when I'm playing compared to my other basses. I'm sure the difference is marginal but it is noticeable. It seems to me that the slot on the D-string saddle is too large and the slot on the A-string saddle is a bit too small. I wonder of they need to be swapped over but will that mess up the string spacing at the bridge even more?
Can you have a look please and let me know what  you think before I take the bridge to bits and move things about.


On the second picture I've moved the strings off the bridge to give a better view.










 

[adriaan]

Looking at the size of the string slots, I'd say the midle two have been swapped. But the string spacing would be off by quite a bit if you would swap those two saddles.


Most Alembics will have edge-to-edge string spacing at the bridge, perhaps this one was changed to centre-to-centre spacing? That would explain a different feel.

[StephenR]

Looks to me like if you switch the A & D saddles it is going to make a mess out of the string spacing. The G & D slots are oriented toward the right side of the saddle, the E & A the other way. If I remember correctly your SS is an older one (70s?). May just be that the tolerance on the parts wasn't quite as accurate back then. My 78 Series bass has one saddle that is cut funky and you can seat the string in two different places on the same slot. I have no idea if the previous owner modified the slot but I have considered having it replaced.

[edwardofhuncote]

Jazzy, I'd just file out the A string slot... don't go deeper, just ream the diameter a bit. The spacing looks fairly uniform, but I agree the slots are not sized correctly.

[FC Bass]

The intonation screw heads are on the "wrong"  side, can you confirm the bridge is assembled correctly?
See if the string height follows the fingerboard radius (middle two should be higher than the outer two saddles)

[garth4664]

I agree with Flip that the screws and nuts look upside down (which wouldn’t really affect the operation, but might be nice to put back to standard). Looks like the A and D saddles are in their correct positions. Pin and screw locations are consistent with my bridges.

The saddle grooves on my three Alembic series instruments are all in different places and look pretty different to each other. I think they are individually filed to suit each bass at the factory.

[keith_h]

The screws are ok. In playing position the screws are on top and the rod on the bottom. Looking at my saddles the slots are not cut symmetrically across the saddles. They look to have been cut to keep the correct string spacing on the neck. 

I agree with the others that the A & D saddles look like they have been swapped. As you sight the strings up the neck is the spacing even? It is hard to tell from your picture but the space between the A & D look like it might be a bit wider than the other two.   

[gtrguy]

If it feels funny, then it probably is funny. After measuring the spacing, I had to get one new saddle on my old SS and cut it to where I liked the feel overall. The rest were OK.

[JuancarlinBass]

Makes me think... On my Epic, the saddles are NOT FILED! Never touched by the previus owner, never touched by me since 2009. I have had no problems -That I may have noticed...  - regarding this, but now I'm curious about it. SHOULD I file the saddles? Should I just leave them like they have been since 1996 when it was born? 

Oh, and Happy 2018 everyone! It's celebration time already in here (Not 0:00 hours yet, just that I'm an early bird!  )

[allgood]

Jazzyvee... I am curious how this issue was resolved.

Also, for everyone... I hope it is ok to sort of hijack since this thread is old...on slightly different note... I had to replace two of my saddles on my old S1.  Mica suggested having someone local cut the blocks, which I did, and I am going to file the slots.  It’s tha A and E that are being replaced, E was broken, and A’s groove is so wide it moves.  I welcome any advice on doing so.  This was the closest thread I found relating  to filing the saddles.  I have seen advice elsewhere... some say don’t file at all, string will settle where it wants to, some way small cut with triangular file, some say round files... Also wondering if I should go ahead and have them cut a D and G block while I’m at it... but I lean toward not replacing something that is working.  However, if I am not going to file slots, I will need to replace all, for proper height, and then just lower the bridge, I expect.   Any advice would be appreciated.  Thanks!

[edwardofhuncote]

If you can spot me a little time, I can post you some fairly detailed help tomorrow Allen... I'm 'plum whupped' for today, (just got in from the shop) got physical therapy again tomorrow morning but I'll be up there again in the afternoon. I'll dig my round files out and make a little demo. 

In the meantime, post me a couple pictures of what you're starting from. (think I know already, but just to be sure...) Make sure to include a shot of the D and G saddles in the frame too.

[allgood]

Thanks Greg, will do.  I received a prescription for PT today as well!

[edwardofhuncote]

I got assigned another eight days worth today myself, matter of fact... it's all about the fun, ain't it! 


I got a couple pics, working on a post for you. Will put something up later this evening. Stay de-tuned. 

[allgood]

Are these the photos you need?  I’m inclined to install the saddle blocks, put the strings where they go, mark with a marker, take off and file with round file.  Check height.  Option 2, take off d and g, have new ones cut and drilled.  Place all 4 on unfiled, and lower bridge.  I guess I can see how it feels with string on when I put a and e on to mark.  Thanks,

[allgood]

Oops, sorry the are upside down, not sure how that happened.