Replacing ABG saddle to fix action

[JustDavid]

No joy in FAQs or Searches so figure I'd post my questions. No replies in Luthiers, so figured I'd ask here.

I've an ABG (Tak Jasmine) that I might as well get into playing condition. It's action is very high, even with a flat neck. So I'm looking into lowering the brdige saddle.

I think the best plan is to make a replacement & work on that instead of possibly destroying the original.

The saddle is in 2 pieces (ea & dg) for some reason. Any point in me doing that?

The saddle has 1/8" of what might be mahogany glued to the bottom. Should I replicate the bottom strip of mahogany?

Are ebony or mahogany fine to use for the entire saddle?

Any tips or common newbie errors I should be warned about?

Thanks in advance for any advice!!

[Pilgrim]

I haven't worked on a saddle such as you describe. I did replace the saddle in my Applause ABG. As you suggest, I kept the original intact; I ordered two blanks of Tusq replacement material from Stew-Mac and use the original as a template. Personally, I'd skip the wood strip on the bottom and just use the saddle material.

Sanding the bottom can be done by gluing sandpaper on a sheet of plate glass or marble, then using a 1x2 or 2x4 as a straight edge and sliding the piece along the side of the wood to keep the base square. Shaping the top of the saddle will require more handwork. I did most of the top curve on mine with a disc sander on a Shopsmith, but that's a bit risky on the fingers. Don't know that I'd be that brave (or stupid) again. Files work pretty darn well.

[kesslari]

I simply marked and sanded down the saddle for my Michael Kelly. That did the trick, and was a very simple solution for me.

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by kesslari

I simply marked and sanded down the saddle for my Michael Kelly. That did the trick, and was a very simple solution for me.

That's certainly an option. The problem is that if you do this with the one-and-only original and get it wrong, you're in trouble. It's much safer to preserve the original as a template and modify a $10 blank.

As the immortal Dirty Harry asked "Do you feel lucky, punk?"

[JustDavid]

I have decades of experience with my luck. It's remarkable in it's consistency. I just wish it was in the positive direction instead

Other than not destroying the only copy I have access to, this saddle provides high action. Some people LIKE high action.