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String Height Above Top at Bridge Guidelines?
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Author:  SteveT [ Fri Sep 03, 2010 7:28 am ]
Post subject:  String Height Above Top at Bridge Guidelines?
For classical guitars, I know that the "recommended range" for clearance between the stings & the top at the bridge is 10-12 mm. Some build a mm or so out of this range, so it's clearly not sacred. For flamencos, clearances are smaller than this. Are there any similar guidelines for steel-string guitars? Does the clearance vary with scale length? Guitar size? Playing style? Of course, there is no single number or narrow range; but folks must build with some specific number or range in mind.

Your thoughts?

-Steve
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Fri Sep 03, 2010 9:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: String Height Above Top at Bridge Guidelines?
I think you mean, above the top of the guitar, not the top of the bridge.
Author:  SteveT [ Fri Sep 03, 2010 10:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: String Height Above Top at Bridge Guidelines?
WaddyThomson wrote:
I think you mean, above the top of the guitar, not the top of the bridge.


Confusing sentence structure: I meant: Clearance between strings and soundboard, when measured right in front of the bridge (or at the saddle location with no bridge attached.) Basically, I'm looking for the moment arm that torques the bridge.
Author:  Colin S [ Fri Sep 03, 2010 10:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: String Height Above Top at Bridge Guidelines?
12mm-13mm

Colin
Author:  Pat Foster [ Fri Sep 03, 2010 10:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: String Height Above Top at Bridge Guidelines?
Colin S wrote:
12mm-13mm

Colin


I prefer 7/16" to 1/2". :)

Pat
Author:  Colin North [ Fri Sep 03, 2010 11:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: String Height Above Top at Bridge Guidelines?
Pat Foster wrote:
Colin S wrote:
12mm-13mm

Colin


I prefer 7/16" to 1/2". :)

Pat


At the treble side or the bass? beehive laughing6-hehe
Author:  Tom West [ Sun Sep 05, 2010 4:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: String Height Above Top at Bridge Guidelines?
Steve : I aim for .500 plus or minus about .030. Establishing a standard is important. This height can have an impact on tone and too high a number can choke the guitar and too low a number can cause a guitar to not reach it's potential. This depends on your bracing,size of guitar,string gauge etc.I'm not saying my height is correct but it is what works for me. This is all IMHO of course, good luck.
Tom
Author:  bluescreek [ Sun Sep 05, 2010 5:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: String Height Above Top at Bridge Guidelines?
the range will be mostly 1/2 inch . If I am using light gauge strings I may go as high a 9/16 but nor more than that . Too much stress on the top will lock it up. There is a sweet spot . I don't want to set the neck at 7/16 as 3/8 is reset territory. This is why neck setting can be so difficult the first few times.
Author:  Burton LeGeyt [ Sun Sep 05, 2010 5:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: String Height Above Top at Bridge Guidelines?
I shoot for 1/2" for the center 2 strings. The bass and treble strings are usually a bit lower, even with a compound radius board. I have made lightly braced guitars with the height closer to .4 and they sounded great.
Author:  Alain Desforges [ Mon Sep 06, 2010 6:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: String Height Above Top at Bridge Guidelines?
+1 on the .5 inch under big E, a little less under small e...
Author:  woody b [ Mon Sep 06, 2010 9:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: String Height Above Top at Bridge Guidelines?
Quote:
Does the clearance vary with scale length? Guitar size?


For me it does. On a long scale (25.5"ish) with Medium gauge strings I like for mine to be .450". On shorter scales (24.562"ish) and lights I'll got as high as .600". IMHO matching all these little things can add up to the difference between a great sounding guitar, and a stick with strings.
Author:  Hesh [ Mon Sep 06, 2010 9:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: String Height Above Top at Bridge Guidelines?
I've seen guitars with the distance between the bottom of the low e and the top measured at the face of the bridge split the bridge because this measurement was too high... It's a critical measurement and very much a function of other things too such as proper neck angle. I shoot for about .5" from the bottom of the low e to the top measured at the face of the bridge.
Author:  woody b [ Mon Sep 06, 2010 2:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: String Height Above Top at Bridge Guidelines?
Hesh wrote:
I've seen guitars with the distance between the bottom of the low e and the top measured at the face of the bridge split the bridge because this measurement was too high..............................................................................................................


I need to add to my earlier post. I use a thicker bridge when I use a higher string distance from the top.
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