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unslotted saddles?

Discussion in 'Luthier's Corner' started by JimmyTheSaint, Dec 8, 2005.

  1. Dec 8, 2005 #1
    JimmyTheSaint

    JimmyTheSaint

    Mar 15, 2005
    California
    What kind of brusin am I cruisin for if I leave the saddles on my new ABR-1 bridge on my Les Paul unslotted?

    I don't yet want to risk slotting the saddles myself, and I prefer not to take it into the shop for a while. It seems to play all right unslotted; the strings don't shift around or anything like that and I rarely bend more than a half step. Is there some downside I should watch out for?
     
  2. Dec 9, 2005 #2
    DavidRavenMoon

    DavidRavenMoon Inactive

    Oct 20, 2004
    The only thing I would think of is, besides the strings sliding around, you might break some because of the sharp edge of the saddle.
     
  3. Dec 9, 2005 #3
    WezV

    WezV

    Sep 17, 2005
    Burton-upon-trent. UK
    If it aint a problem for you then leave it the way it is. If you play heavy or bend a lot then its best to slot them. First with a file, then follow it with fine grit finishing paper to make them smooth
     
  4. Dec 9, 2005 #4
    JimmyTheSaint

    JimmyTheSaint

    Mar 15, 2005
    California
    Thanks for the info. The surface of the unslotted saddle is flattened so I'm actually more worried about breaking strings by slotting it myself and leaving too fine an edge.

    I play that guitar almost exclusively with a light touch, fingers only (no plectrum) with high gain processing. I bend frequently but never more than a half step. It sounds like leaving it unslotted is the way to go because the strings seem to hold perfect alignment for me just from their own tension.
     
  5. Dec 9, 2005 #5
    Phil Mastro

    Phil Mastro

    Nov 18, 2004
    Montréal
    No wonder they call you a saint!

    Oh, and do saddle sluts really have to be fine sanded? Even if my file is really smooth?
     
  6. Dec 9, 2005 #6
    mgood

    mgood

    Sep 29, 2001
    Levelland, Texas
    I've known a few saddle sluts. But I don't remember ever sanding one. :eyebrow:
     
  7. Dec 9, 2005 #7
    Phil Mastro

    Phil Mastro

    Nov 18, 2004
    Montréal
    I didn't see that one slu...slip. right.