Tune-O-Matic the irony of copying
Most people learn from their mistakes. Some don't. Some people copy other people without thinking if what they're doing actually makes sense.
The Tune-O-Matic bridge (originally a Gibson design in the 1950's) is one of the best examples of holding on to tradition at the cost of common sense. The saddles are like knives with a small dent to keep the strings into place. The dent, however, should match the string's gauge.
If the gauge doesn't matches, the strings can be damaged. Moreover, even more ironically, the bridge and the saddles can be turned around (falls off when the strings are removed). So basically, it can only be considered a correctly placed the gauges match. If you want to try out strings with another gauge, the bridge saddles should be changed as well.
Ironically enough, a lot of guitar builders use that same design because it's 'Gibson-alike' and easy to fit on a guitar. Other brand guitars, don't even have matching saddles.
True... It's a way forward from the wraparound bridge. That one wouldn't damage your strings, but if the intonation of your guitar is off... Well... you're out of luck.
A solution for this problem on existing guitars would be to go for a Tune-O-Matic roller saddle bridge.
Originally designed to be used with a tremolo, they have rolls instead of the dent in the saddles that are bigger than the string gauges.
Solves the problems stated earlier and a very easy change (although not that cheap).
The Tune-O-Matic bridge (originally a Gibson design in the 1950's) is one of the best examples of holding on to tradition at the cost of common sense. The saddles are like knives with a small dent to keep the strings into place. The dent, however, should match the string's gauge.
If the gauge doesn't matches, the strings can be damaged. Moreover, even more ironically, the bridge and the saddles can be turned around (falls off when the strings are removed). So basically, it can only be considered a correctly placed the gauges match. If you want to try out strings with another gauge, the bridge saddles should be changed as well.
Ironically enough, a lot of guitar builders use that same design because it's 'Gibson-alike' and easy to fit on a guitar. Other brand guitars, don't even have matching saddles.
True... It's a way forward from the wraparound bridge. That one wouldn't damage your strings, but if the intonation of your guitar is off... Well... you're out of luck.
A solution for this problem on existing guitars would be to go for a Tune-O-Matic roller saddle bridge.
Originally designed to be used with a tremolo, they have rolls instead of the dent in the saddles that are bigger than the string gauges.
Solves the problems stated earlier and a very easy change (although not that cheap).
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