He specifically said that the string doesn't fit in the saddle. So a smaller gauge at that contact point would lower it, just as if the saddle had a wider seat.
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Action too high.
- Thread starter dhuff8870
- Start date
He specifically said that the string doesn't fit in the saddle. So a smaller gauge at that contact point would lower it, just as if the saddle had a wider seat.
The current E string is .095 last gauge was .100. The D and G string sit lower in the groove of the saddle (I guess you could say they fit into the groove) whereas the diameter of the E string is larger than the groove so it sits higher (on top of the groove).
I have that bridge on a yamaha rbx-270j. The plate is a bit thicker than stock, but the height difference comes mainly from the barrel which has about 2mm more in diameter(~1 cm total diameter), than the previous one . The barrel width is the same though(19mm) , so you could swap in a normal one, just to see if the problem goes away.
Btw I've shimmed that bass to bring action to my liking, but I can't imagine why a slightly higher action has anything to do with tuning problems, after intonation has been properly setup.
I currently have a 0.95 E (light swingbass rotos) on that bridge, but I had no problem with the string fitting when I had DR black beauties with a 0.105" E.
Btw I've shimmed that bass to bring action to my liking, but I can't imagine why a slightly higher action has anything to do with tuning problems, after intonation has been properly setup.
I currently have a 0.95 E (light swingbass rotos) on that bridge, but I had no problem with the string fitting when I had DR black beauties with a 0.105" E.
Just to not cause people to think I am objecting to a shim or whatnot, I am not objecting at all. I was just curious.
I really don't think the strings are meant to sit low in the groove of the saddle. But the smaller diameter strings do sit lower because the groove is closer to the diameter of the string. This gives more 'play' when adjusting the action on those strings. The E string, and to some extent, the A string sit above the groove. This leads me to believe that the bridge may have been installed incorrectly because the E string sits way too high. Shimming looks like it might help, but I think I'll go with a tapered string first and see if that corrects the problem. The out of tune sound isn't bad, no one but me notices but IK know how I want it to sound, plus lower action would improve playabilty.
I have a similar problem with my Epiphone Thunderbird Classic Pro where Epiphone doesn't sink the bridge into the body like Gibson does so I can't get the strings the 1/32" lower. I may countersink it myself, file the saddles, or just deal with it.
This is a very common problem with using the Gotoh bridge. It has a thick bottom plate but also has huge round saddles. If you want to keep that bridge, you could always replace the saddles with thinner ones. I had to do that on a bass once and it worked fine. But I just took saddles off of another bridge I had laying around.
Yes a tapered string would help but maybe not enough. If you got LaBella Super Steps, all strings would have a BARE core so your A & E would be about 1/3rd lower than the string diameter itself. This would be less apparent on the D & G though but they may sit lower in the saddle groove. Shimming the neck is a good fix... a simpler one would be to deepen the saddle grooves, OR: make them thinner by grinding down the bottom of the saddle so it sits closer to the plate, OR replacing the bridge with one of proper height. This only involves 4 screws if you get a bridge that matches the pattern.
what gauge e string are you using? Ive had gotoh 201 bridges before and the 105 gayge E strings fit the saddle groove just fine. As others have saiud necks needs shim.
hey guys i have a question of my own, I'm trying to get low action on my acoustic bass guitar and basically the nut seems to be too low or something because if i carve the bridge action anymore im probably gonna get buzzing on the first fret and i cant tighten the trust rod anymore because its already tight and i dont wanna risk breaking it can anyone help me out with this?
well all i hear from people is complaining that people make new threads instead of searching for a thread related to there question and on top of that it isnt hurting anyone, worst thing that can happen is someone can unwatch this thread
What's the neck relief? Maybe you need to loosen the truss rod.
I was thinking that but i actually shaved some off the bridge today because i can always buy a cheap new bridge piece if needed and it actually feels pretty good now, all i notice now is the 14 fret on the g string is pretty loud when it kinda buzzes but for only one fret im ok with it but thanks for replying guys i appreciate it
I still think you will need to have this bass set up correctly to avoid revisiting this in the future. I could be wrong but I think you have several issues requiring attention in the setup of the instrument based on the symptoms you described.
LL
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