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How do you adjust your string spacing on a vintage Fender bridge?

B

BusyFingers

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Nov 26, 2016
1,909
2,140
#1
Do you actually measure between strings to decide where to lay the string? Is there a particular way one should go about doing this?

I'm curious because my vintage fender bridge has shown up and I may want to experiment with string spacings once I put it on.
 
#3
What do you mean "adjust the string spacing?" If you have the threaded style saddles just move the strings around on the the threads until you get what you like. Otherwise with other types of Fender saddles you really have no way to adjust the string spacing unless you make a new nut and adjust the spacing there, but that will offer minimal difference.
 
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#7
BusyFingers said:
Yes, I've heard people suggest you can effectively shift the string spacing by placing them with intentionally on specific grooves in the saddles.
Click to expand...
Yes, you can do that. Are you talking about the vintage saddles that are basically threaded rod, or the modern type with just a few grooves around the saddle. Not that it makes any difference, just curious which you have.
 
#9
Vinnie Boombatz said:
What do you mean "adjust the string spacing?" If you have the threaded style saddles just move the strings around on the the threads until you get what you like. Otherwise with other types of Fender saddles you really have no way to adjust the string spacing unless you make a new nut and adjust the spacing there, but that will offer minimal difference.
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I dunno, I kind of think it should be more formal than that. Shouldn't I measure between each string?
 
#11
Jeff Scott said:
I would just use my eyes, fingers (busy, or otherwise), fingerboard edges, and pickup poles as guides to string spacing.
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Yes, I don't want to stray too far from the optimal magnetic pull of the pickups. But... You know how people talk about the MM spacing between strings around here? Are they actually measuring between each string to determine where they want to put them? '

You would think there would be a Youtube video on this, or something.
 
#12
Just adjust with the spacing which you feel comfort to pluck, pick or slap.
I prefer standart 19mm on my both Squier CV p (fender vintage threatsaddle bridge )and Cort Arona ( Sandberg bridge with adjustable saddle slot ).
 
#15
petrus61 said:
I've found that with a correctly aligned neck, the string spacing always felt best pretty much smack in the middle of the saddles. They aren't really there for precision (measured) string spacing adjustments anyway, but more as a rough guide.
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That's what I've always done, but I'm trying to get a bit more particular to see if I prefer it a certain way or not.
 
#16
Vinnie Boombatz said:
There's no YouTUbe video on it because you're overthinking it. You're wasting. ton of time worrying about it when you could be playing.
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I was wasting time on that other post? What about now? Am I wasting time still? Should I pick up my bass now? Can I post later if I play now? When can I post? Can I ever post without it eating into my playing time? :sorry:

Wait, I will get my bass in my hand for the next post. :whistle:
 
#17
BusyFingers said:
I was wasting time on that other post? What about now? Am I wasting time still? Should I pick up my bass now? Can I post later if I play now? When can I post? Can I ever post without it eating into my playing time? :sorry:

Wait, I will get my bass in my hand for the next post. :whistle:
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Well, if you spent less time asking the same question over and over and actually put that bridge on the bass and experimented with the spacing for yourself instead of repeatedly asking us what's "optimal" you might actually answer your own question! You mention that you get "a bit more particular" to "see if I prefer it a certain way or not". Well, the only way to determine if it's for you or not is to actually try it out. Asking what our opinion is on the subject won't give you the answer to what YOU like. Plus, it literally take a couple seconds to move those strings around on a bridge with threaded saddles.
 
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#18
Vinnie Boombatz said:
Well, if you spent less time asking the same question over and over and actually put that bridge on the bass and experimented with the spacing for yourself instead of repeatedly asking us what's "optimal" you might actually answer your own question! You mention that you get "a bit more particular" to "see if I prefer it a certain way or not". Well, the only way to determine if it's for you or not is to actually try it out. Asking what our opinion is on the subject won't give you the answer to what YOU like. Plus, it literally take a couple seconds to move those strings around on a bridge with threaded saddles.
Click to expand...

Sorry for the snarkiness. It's just that I am compelled to quantify my optimal string spacing. You see, I've spent the last year figuring out all my optimal specs for a bass. I've determined the following, in quite an exacting manner:

Nut - 1.5 inches
neck shape - thin jazz
fretboard radius - 7.25
scale - 32 inches
frets - vintage

And so on... I have purchased all my parts in nickel, too, because I like patina so much I would call her 'Tina for short. I can't wait until she arrives someday when I pick up my bass and all the nickel has, well, patina'd.

This is the very last spec I am attempting to determine. I simply must know for future purchases.
 
#19
The beauty of those saddles is that they have literally dozens of notches pre-cut, so you can put the strings wherever you like.
On a bridge without notches cut, you need to determine where you're going to notch them & then once you do you're stuck with that string spacing.
and even worse are the ones pre-notched with a single notch that allows for no adjustment.
 
#20
Killed_by_Death said:
The beauty of those saddles is that they have literally dozens of notches pre-cut, so you can put the strings wherever you like.
One a bridge without notches cut, you need to determine where you're going to notch them & then once you do you're stuck with that string spacing.
and even worse are the ones pre-notched with a single notch that allows for no adjustment.
Click to expand...

True, plus the review on that bridge is quite revealing. It may be that those old, cheap style bridges had a lot to do with the great tone of vintage instruments (badass bridgers be jammed).
 
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