Adjustable Bridges

John D. Carter · Post by **John D. Carter** » 26 Jan 2006 8:45 pm

I am building a guitar and thinking about bridge design. On my current Artisan type Chinese guitar (which I purchased about 6 weeks ago to learn on and modified with a better pickup) there is an adjustable Strat type bridge which I have used as follows. I have noticed that I can be perfectly in tune without the bar on the strings but under the weight of the bar I have to very so slightly slant the bar to be perfectly in tune, especially at the higher frets. I can compensate for this slight imperfection in intonation by adjusting the bridge, thereby achieving perfect intonation with the bar straight up. My questions are: Does this happen on more expensive guitars? Are most steel guitars designed with this potential problem in mind? I appreciate any thoughts that you experts might have. Thanks.

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 27 Jan 2006 7:09 am

No expert, but I assume the bridge on an Artisan is that way because it's right out of the readily available parts bin.
My Dynalap doesn't need any compensation; I'm wondering if heavier strings would make a difference on the Artisan, intonation-wise.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 27 Jan 2006 7:57 am

Heavier strings, yes!
The strings that come on them are JUNK!

Website · Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 27 Jan 2006 8:41 am

I agree that the bridge on the Artisan is that way because they had left over parts from some regular guitars. I've never seen any other steel guitar that uses an adjustable bridge like the Artisan.
The first thing I did when I got my EA-2 was to change to a set of regular gauge guitar strings (.013 to .056).

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Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars

John D. Carter · Post by **John D. Carter** » 27 Jan 2006 9:00 am

There is no question that the strings that came on this guitar are inferior. I am now, however, on my third set, and the set that I have on now is, admittedly, lighter than that recommended for a C6 tuning. So if the consensus of the forum is that this is a string gage issue, I will proceed to a bridge design with no ability for adjustment. Thank you for your input. My design will incorporate some unique and novel innovations that I think will produce an excellent sounding instrument. I will post pictures of the guitar and provide a sound clip when it is complete.