• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Stupid bridge question

Southtowns27

Southtowns27

Mar 13, 2015
10
5
45
#1
This is probably a stupid question, but here goes.. I just bought a used Gretsch G5442. When viewed from the side, which way should the bridge lean? Toward the fingerboard or toward the tail? The saddlebar is most definitely facing the right direction, but it's possible to lift it off and only turn the bridge around which will change which direction the saddlebar leans.. Thoughts?
 
#3
I can't get what you're asking. Just do it like the picture.
shopping.png
 
#8
It's straight when viewed from the front (duh).. From the side, this is what it looks like. The wood is threaded at an angle. It's possible to lift the saddle bar off and turn the wood around so the saddle bar would be leaning the opposite direction. Is the setup in the pic correct?
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20190207_133120776.jpg
    IMG_20190207_133120776.jpg
    629.8 KB · Views: 22
Last edited:
#10
It should lean towards the tail as in the photo. It leans for a good reason and you can see why in the photo.
Relative to the bridge the strings form identical angles each side. The tension of the strings on each side combine to create a downforce on the bridge, this downforce acts in a direction halfway between the directions of the strings either side of the bridge. This downforce is therefore not perpendicular to the body top but slightly angled. The bridge is therefore correctly angled to align with the downforce.

For the same reason it is best to rotate saddle blocks in some bass bridges such that the saddle is at the rear of the block insted of conventionally the front. Kalium do this on their 40" scale Quake bass.
The downforce on a saddle is always angled somewhat towards the headstock.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Southtowns27 and JRA
#11
Thanks! That's exactly what I was looking for. When the bass showed up it was the other way around.. I turned it the direction it is in the pic since from a physics standpoint it made a lot more sense but I just needed verification
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back