String balance fix

[jeffhigh]

Well I had a customer's Yamaha in for repair, lower action and set inotation.
No problem, got it sounding and playing great, then I plugged it in, dead strings galore.
It had an Artec type metal encased UST with the 6 raised segments.
After a bit of mucking around, chasing the problem but still not getting it perfect, I came up with this solution.
I cut the saddle into 3 pieces between B and G and between A and D so that each segment only had to rest on two sections of the piezo.
Instant huge improvement, and almost invisible.

[Nick]

Nice simple fix Jeff & one to store away in the old "tricks of the trade" section of me noggin. Cheers

[Kim]

Very clever Jeff, your method takes no prisoners and I like that.

Cheers

Kim

[vandenboom]

Jeff - love this solution. I have used the Artec's in about 6 guitars - I have always thought they were pretty good value. My son has one that he uses amplified quite frequently - I will give this a try even though it sounds pretty good as is.

The only time I really struggled with getting an even sound with this pickup was when the saddle was a bit too snug end to end - this forum helped me discover that as I didn't appreciate at the time how crucial it was for the saddle to have just enough freedom to be able to make best contact with the pickup sensors.

btw, I replaced the Artec in my own steel string and replaced with with K&K system. Also just bought the K&K Pure external pre-amp. Was out playing with it tonight - very happy with it, but to be honest, was equally happy with the Artec.
Frank