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Topic: T8 bridge adjustment! |
Roy McKinney
From:
Ontario, OR
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Posted 31 Dec 2017 10:48 am |
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For you Stringmaster GURU'S and before I screw up.
Adjusting the bridge on a Stringmaster T8.
I just measured the distance from the center of the bridge to the center of the nut at strings 1 and 8.
String #1 measures 24 5/8
String #8 measures 24 1/2
Is there any reason why I should not re-adjust the String #1 distance to 24 1/2?
I haven't check neck #1 or #3 yet. |
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Frank Welsh
From:
Upstate New York, USA
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Posted 31 Dec 2017 11:26 am
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No reason they can't be the same at 24 1/2". String lengths are usually all the same on most steels I've seen except for the cheap imports that use a standard Strat type bridge with those individual string adjustments.
Just be sure that any bridge adjustments don't move the bridge out of contact with the small raised "humps" under the bridge that provide contact with the bridge plate. A loss of sustain would probably result.
I have a Deluxe Six (same hardware setup as a Stringmaster) and in order to get the correct 22 1/2" string length I had to move the bridge all the way back, off of those little humps, and practically in contact with the post for the pickup blender control (I had to remove the dial from the control post to do this.) This worked fine but caused a loss of sustain and I moved the bridge back to the hump area, but I don't play this guitar much now since notes are off about a quarter fret's worth and is noticeable to my ear.
I mention this because you may run into the same problem. Maybe Fender just messed up with bridge plate placement on my guitar, which is near mint condition, all original parts.
Please let us know the results as you play your guitar with any adjustments you make and if the guitar "sounds" more or less in tune as you play up the neck.
Last edited by Frank Welsh on 31 Dec 2017 11:29 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Jeff Mead
From:
London, England
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Posted 31 Dec 2017 11:27 am
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It's much better to adjust it by ear. I've never set up any guitar by measuring it.
On a lap steel, all you have to do is find the 12th harmonic. If it is directly over the 12th fret, no need to adjust anything. If it isn't, find where the 12th harmonic actually is - if it is further up the neck (towards the 13th fret) move the bridge further away. If the harmonic is towards the 11th fret, move the bridge closer.
Repeat the above until the harmonic is over the 12th fret.
On a straight bridge like a Stringmaster, you only need to do this for the highest and lowest strings. |
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Roy McKinney
From:
Ontario, OR
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Posted 31 Dec 2017 11:41 am
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Thanks, I will try both of these recommendations.
This is a 55 or 56 Stringmaster based on the pot codes. No dates under the pans. |
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