Saddle Compensation

[Redbloke1956]

Hi all, I am a budding amateur that simply builds guitars for gifts (I don’t play myself..yet) I simply follow the pattern and instructions in the Gore, Gilet Volume 2.
Steel string, Falcate braced, 645.2mm Scale Length, no Nut Compensation.
I have read and re-read sections pertaining to Saddle Compensation and I am terribly confused about Saddle Location.
If I use a 5mm Saddle, straight not slanted, the front of the saddle slot should be (from page 20-19, section 20.3.2.) 645.2mm scale length + 0.7mm Saddle Compensation (Table 21-2 page 21-14 1st string) + 0.5mm for Structural Deflection = 646.52mm ?
Then just use the Saddle Compensation figures in Table 21-2?
Am I on the right path?

[kiwigeo]

Bass string will have the highest compensation value so forward edge of the saddle will be dictated by same. I also check that break point for the top string will also fall on the top of the 5mm saddle. A 5mm straight should be sufficient to accommodate compensation on all strings.

[Redbloke1956]

Thanks Martin

[kiwigeo]

My copies of The Books out in the workshop. Ill check the relevant pages when I get a chance and get back with more information if necessary.

[Redbloke1956]

Thanks Martin, I think I have it sorted in my head now: If I locate the forward edge of the saddle at exactly the Scale Length, using a 5mm saddle and a saddle compensation span (1-6) of 3mm it should be fine?

[Trevor Gore]

Steel string, Falcate braced, 645.2mm Scale Length, no Nut Compensation.
I have read and re-read sections pertaining to Saddle Compensation and I am terribly confused about Saddle Location.
If I use a 5mm Saddle, straight not slanted, the front of the saddle slot should be (from page 20-19, section 20.3.2.)...

Note that Section 20.3.2 is specifically for a guitar with nut compensation.

[Redbloke1956]

Hi Trevor, thanks for the response mate, You will note that I simply excluded the 3mm for nut compensation in my calculation, does that now make my numbers correct?

[kiwigeo]

The section of The Build Book you should be reading is 20.3.1 - second paragraph.

Allow 3mm for string compensation plus 0.5mm for deflection = 3.5mm. Add 3.5mm to theoretical scale length and this is distance from nut to front edge of saddle on bass side. Trevor instructs to skew the saddle with a 2.5mm offset towards the nut on the treble side.

For saddle only compensated guitars I cut the saddle slot after the bridge has been glued on the guitar and I use a Stewmac intonator to find exact position of saddle slot.

[Trevor Gore]

Hi Trevor, thanks for the response mate, You will note that I simply excluded the 3mm for nut compensation in my calculation, does that now make my numbers correct?

Definitely not! Adding nut compensation, in very approximate terms, halves the amount of saddle compensation you need. So just excluding the 3mm does not give a correct answer.

As Martin pointed out, you need to see Section 20.3.1., second paragraph.

[Redbloke1956]

Hi Martin,
“ Add 3.5mm to theoretical scale length and this is distance from nut to front edge of saddle on Bass side”
Shouldn’t this read “on the Centreline of the guitar” as per 20.3.1?

[kiwigeo]

Yes, you're correct. My method actually differ slightly from Trevor's but follow The Book and you wont have any problems.

Hi Martin,
“ Add 3.5mm to theoretical scale length and this is distance from nut to front edge of saddle on Bass side”
Shouldn’t this read “on the Centreline of the guitar” as per 20.3.1?