Saddle question

[dennis duvall]

A crack developed on the front of my romanian carved bass,originating at the corner of the saddle, upon closer examination, I noticed that the saddle had separated from its bed, witch was not the bass block, but rather, a countersink in the tone wood. maybe this explains the problem (help) i'm going to build another saddle out of some leftover fingerboard ebony, but should'nt i cut down to the bass block to bed the saddle on to? Other than shortcuts is there any reason that the saddle would be mounted on soft tonewood? any help would be appreciated Dennis

[Silversorcerer]

The most likely reason for the crack is shrinking of the spruce top. Saddle cracks at the corner(s) of the saddle are common because of this. The preventive measure is to cut the mortise for the saddle slightly long to allow for shrinkage and to round the the upper corners of the saddle, so that the force of shrinkage doesn't concentrate in one run of grain. As far as bedding the saddle to the block, I don't think that is necessary in repairing your bass. File your saddle to fit better and then put it back on after you have repaired the crack. It is fine for it to be mortised into the top and fine for you to re-install the original saddle after making the proper alteration to its' horizontal length.

[forester]

follow SS instructions..you can relieve the top at both ends of saddle the kerf of an exacto knife to the endblock.the mortice is not a shortcut..it takes more time ,skill to do it.two reasons i can think of for this approach is the tops' edge provides the base for the saddle...remove the edge and now you have a saddle cantilevered over edge with no support..and the mortice is directly over the center joint for the top... the saddle will sandwich the the joint,top.. to the end block..good application when you think about it