Official Luthiers Forum!

What measurments are used to locate the bridge plate?
I would assume from the 12th or 14th fret or where ever the body meets the neck,
to the saddle location, using the scale length chart. I'm using plans, but I just want to know.
This would help if I want to change to another scale length.

Half of the scale length minus the distance between the 12th and 14th from the outside edge of the box for a 14 fretter. This will locate your saddle, so you need to figure the saddle location on the bridge and if you want your bridge plate to be larger than the footprint of your bridge.

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Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from poor judgement.

David: Accurate lay out of the bracing system on the bracing side of top. Accurate glue up location of the plate. Accurate gluing of the top to sides relevent to the 12th fret location. Accurate gluing of the fingerboard to neck. You can work from the 12th fret or 14th fret , just make the relevent math adjustments. If you use a narrow plate and are not careful to prevent inaccuracy,it can add up and bridge will not be in its ideal position relative to the plate. When laying out my bracing system I also draw in the bridge with saddle position shown and this helps to ensure correct plate position. When doing this remember to also add compensation.........!!!
Tom

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