Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Measure the scale length of your guitar if the manufacturer does not specify with the guitar's certificate or owner's manual. Use a metric ruler to measure the length from the back edge of the nut behind the first fret to the center of the 12th fret. Double that measurement and you will have your scale measurement. The saddle should be placed so that its center is exactly the same distance as the scale for your guitar. In the event that your bridge is currently located in the wrong position, you will need to remove it and re-glue it in its proper place so that the saddle, which rests on top of the bridge, is at the end of the scale length from the middle of the 12th fret.
Loosen and remove the strings from your guitar.
Use a screwdriver to pry off the mother of pearl inlay dots on your bridge if they are present. Unscrew the screws (or bolts) that are located on either wing of the bridge to remove it from the top of the guitar.
Cut any of the remaining glue securing the bridge to the top of the guitar by sliding a sharp knife between the bridge and the top plate.
Protect the top of the guitar by placing painter's tape around the bridge. Tape a top protection template, which can be as simple as a piece of felt cut out in the shape of your guitar's top, to your guitar.
Slide the putty knife or a painter's 5-in-1 tool underneath the bridge to pry it loose from the top. Tap the edge of the putty knife with a wooden or rubber mallet to help loosen the bridge from the remaining glue.
Remove any glue from the top of the guitar where the bridge was placed by sanding it with 120-grit sandpaper. Place painter's tape around the location for the new bridge if you are relocating the bridge to a different spot on the top of the guitar. The tape should overlap the area where the bridge is going to be set.
Place the new bridge in its location on the top of the guitar and use a sharp knife to outline the bridge so that the knife cuts through the tape. Remove the tape segments that were cut through, revealing a perfect outline of the new bridge placement on the top of the guitar.
Use a brush to spread glue on the bottom of the new bridge and place it on the guitar's top. If the old bridge was secured by bolts or screws, screw the new bridge into place, slowly turning the screws until they are tight. Use a wet sponge to clean off any excess glue.
Set deep throat clamps into the sound hole so they clamp down on the bridge with two clamps on the wings of the bridge and one in the middle. Tighten each clamp slowly until glue is pressed out from the sides. Allow the bridge and clamps to sit overnight, wiping away any excess glue.
Set your new saddle into the bridge after it has sat overnight. Retighten the strings and check the intonation of the guitar. If the guitar has trouble staying in tune after the strings have had time to adjust and stretch out, then your saddle may need to be repositioned or sanded down.