Andy P
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My main instrument is: Taylor 312ce, Guild D25, Deering 5 string banjo
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Post by Andy P on Feb 1, 2020 23:34:48 GMT
Does anyone know where I can obtain some, or better still how I can make my own? I do possess a Stanley knife 😁
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colins
Luthier / Guitar Maker
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Post by colins on Feb 1, 2020 23:46:27 GMT
Hardwood veneer is the usual stuff used.
Colin
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Feb 2, 2020 9:03:50 GMT
Does anyone know where I can obtain some, or better still how I can make my own? I do possess a Stanley knife 😁 ...ah but do you know which end is which? Keith
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Post by pjld86 on Feb 2, 2020 19:47:34 GMT
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Feb 2, 2020 22:28:13 GMT
Andy P. Andy, you might find a cheap source of hardwood veneers at a craft shop - they often sell thin small sheets of wood for marquetry. You'd only need a v small amount and they might even have some offcuts/broken bits to give away esp if you bought a decent craft knife and blades from them! Try to use a piece a little thicker than you want the final shim to be. Cut a strip roughly but slightly larger than the size of the saddle base, Superglue this strip to the base of the saddle and cut/sand to exact size when glue has set. Check for fit in saddle slot, adjust if nec and then sand the base to give the exact saddle height you want. Ebay may be a likely source too, with a small sheet that will last you a lifetime for a couple of quid. better to buy in person though then you can check out actually what you're getting. By how much do you want to raise the saddle? Same bass and treble ends, or sloping? Keith
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colins
Luthier / Guitar Maker
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Post by colins on Feb 2, 2020 22:56:19 GMT
What Keith says, is the way that I do it, usually when some one has tried to lower their action by sanding the saddle down, only to find tat they've overcooked it, then to be honest once I know what saddle height should be then I'll make a new saddle of the correct height, but a shim works just as well. Remember if you want to raise the string 1/2mm at the 12th fret, you need to raise the saddle by 1mm.
Colin
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Post by andy3sheds on Feb 3, 2020 2:12:10 GMT
Maple veneer always seemed to be a got option
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Post by thewanderer on Feb 3, 2020 2:40:43 GMT
I've got some small pieces of mixed veneer for craft purposes. If you're in the UK, and aren't fussy about specific timbers, I can cut you a bit off and pop it in an envelope for you. Seems more sensible than buying a pack just to shim one bridge.
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colins
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Post by colins on Feb 3, 2020 9:20:24 GMT
You want a hard wood that won't compress. Simply for my OCD I always tried to match the veneer wood to the bridge wood. Mahogany or walnut are not good choices, try if possible to use a hard maple as Andy says or rosewood/ebony. Also have the grain run along the length of the saddle slot as it makes cutting easier.
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Post by thewanderer on Feb 3, 2020 9:58:46 GMT
Sadly, I've no idea what any of my veneers are, so if you need specific timbers, I can't help.
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Andy P
C.O.G.
Posts: 4,982
My main instrument is: Taylor 312ce, Guild D25, Deering 5 string banjo
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Post by Andy P on Feb 3, 2020 16:37:31 GMT
Does anyone know where I can obtain some, or better still how I can make my own? I do possess a Stanley knife 😁 ...ah but do you know which end is which? Keith I do now :-)
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Andy P
C.O.G.
Posts: 4,982
My main instrument is: Taylor 312ce, Guild D25, Deering 5 string banjo
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"","color":"8e2be1"}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 060607
Mini-Profile Text Color: 0b0b0c
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Post by Andy P on Feb 3, 2020 16:59:58 GMT
Well thank you all so much for your replies: most helpful as always. The issue is fret buzz on my Lowden S25 affecting the 1st (very slightly), 2nd (a little more) and 3rd (especially noticeable) from around the 4th fret upwards. So it looks like I need to raise the treble saddle and the treble end of the bass saddle. I'm presuming that a shim on each side, with the bass end sanded right down will do the trick. Ideally I'd pay a professional to fix it but from past experience I have no faith in the locals and it's hardly worth returning to the factory for a small job. So I'm getting a picture of what I need to do and it seems that the type of timber is important so that rules out your very kind offer thewanderer . I could order from Bob Colosi (thanks pjld86 ) but he's in the US and it looks like I can buy from the UK. I can't find a craft shop in Kirkcaldy ocarolan . This is the best deal I can find on eBay: colins do you think that cherry-wood would be suitable?
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colins
Luthier / Guitar Maker
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Post by colins on Feb 3, 2020 17:09:14 GMT
Yes any fruit wood should be just fine.
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Post by Vinny on Feb 3, 2020 17:56:12 GMT
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Andy P
C.O.G.
Posts: 4,982
My main instrument is: Taylor 312ce, Guild D25, Deering 5 string banjo
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Mini-Profile Name Color: 060607
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Post by Andy P on Feb 3, 2020 21:42:10 GMT
Yes any fruit wood should be just fine. Thanks Colin
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