Filing bridge saddle on ABG to lower action

[Mr. Pickles]

The action on my Tacoma Thunderchief acoustic bass guitar is way too high for my preference. The nut and neck are set up well, so I'm considering filing down the bottom of the plastic (?) bridge saddle. There is an LR Baggs piezo element under the saddle.

For those with experience - should I give this a try? If so, how should I proceed and what type of files and/or sanding paper should I use. Recommendations and alternatives are appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[bassteban]

I did this to my ABG, as it had been rigged w/a hacked-up guitar saddle, which did not make good contact w/the top/soundboard. Carefully getting it nice & flat fixed the main issue- low E volume. I don't claim expertise here but will just say that for me, accuracy in getting a nice flat surface was very important- if you're unsure you might want to get it professionally done.

[scotch]

I've done this a bunch of times (with acoustic guitars)!

The Baggs Element is very sensitive. If there is any unevenness along the bottom of the saddle (where it makes contact with the Element), you will get uneven output. Actually, you can adjust the Element's string balance by carefully removing some saddle material that corresponds with that string to lower output a bit (often 'B' strings on guitar).

I use 220 grit Norton Premium sandpaper (much smoother cut than standard 220, almost identical to the more expensive 3m Fre-Cut). 400 is also a good choice, but will take a bit longer. I hold the saddle as perfectly perpendicular as possible to the sandpaper. Also, make sure you sand onto a flat surface (milled saw table, for instance). The flatter & harder the surface, the better the result!

Work slowly, check your depth constantly and stay perpendicular!!! Don't sand an angle into that saddle's bottom!

[RustyAxe]

WAIT! The Thunderchief has a bolt on neck, and if your neck ANGLE (not relief) isn't right, you'll just make things worse. Before touching the saddle check the neck angle and relief again ... better yet, get someone who knows how to set up an acoustic guitar do it. When I bought my used Thunderchief the action was 1/2" at the 12th fret! A simple shim in the neck pocket and a tweak of the truss rod was all it took to bring it into line. It plays great.

[scotch]

Originally Posted by RustyAxe

WAIT! The Thunderchief has a bolt on neck, and if your neck ANGLE (not relief) isn't right, you'll just make things worse. Before touching the saddle check the neck angle and relief again ... better yet, get someone who knows how to set up an acoustic guitar do it. When I bought my used Thunderchief the action was 1/2" at the 12th fret! A simple shim in the neck pocket and a tweak of the truss rod was all it took to bring it into line. It plays great.

I didn't know it was a bolt on!

Definitely check neck angle first. Shortening the saddle is not ideal for tone.

[Mr. Pickles]

Originally Posted by scotch

I didn't know it was a bolt on!

Definitely check neck angle first. Shortening the saddle is not ideal for tone.

A shim would probably work. I'll take it to a tech first, then post the results.