File types for bridge saddles

harvey49 · Post by **harvey49** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 12:03 pm

Welcome back from you brief holiday Paul, I have another one of those technical help and location of resources question for you.

I read a lot about the form and size of string grooves, in the saddles on a bridge. I was told by a luthier here in OZ that a three square file was suitable for the plain strings, )E-B-G) but to use a very small round file for the wound ones.

I was told in no uncertain terms by reputable luthier in the US, that this was totally incorrect as a "vee" notch doesn't allow the string to seat correctly in bottom of the saddle. When I asked what type of files to use to achieve such a small radius, it was suggested that I try to get a range of "round edge joint files"

Now herein lies the problem after many phone calls I managed to find out that a tool supplier for the Jewellery trade might be able to help. After about 20 emails to him and a contact at Grobet in the USA, I've told that they can't supply the smaller sizes I requested. Without them it seemed pointless in getting the larger sizes!

Okay, so after that long winded story, can you or others, suggest an alternative to using these round edged joint files or put me onto an Industrial tool supplier that I could contact to see if they will supply these files to me.

Sorry for the size of this, but I'm hoping that someone in the land of plenty can offer some assistance to me in the land of the small selection!

jwilli · Post by **jwilli** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 12:21 pm

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Files.html

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 1:23 pm

Clickable version of John's link: http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Files.html

I am not a luthier, but I recommend lightly using some emery cloth on the cuts after they are formed. I had a string break at the saddle cut on one of my guitars because the cut's edge acted like a knife edge, and over time, the string moved back-and-forth enough to be cut through by it.

harvey49 · Post by **harvey49** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 1:56 pm

So are we looking at the Double edge nut files for this job? I already have a couple of sets of needle files that are fairly limited.

I take it you agree with round seats for strings in the saddles.

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 11:16 pm

Like I said, I'm not a luthier, so it's just my opinion based on my previous experiences.

I think that the only time I cut saddles was over thirty years ago, on some replacement nylon saddles for my '67 Gibson ES-335TDC. I used a triangle file at the time, so the slots are probably more v-shaped than round. Those saddles are still in use.

Hmmm ... on further thought, I may have cut (recut, actually) a saddle on one of my Rickenbackers. I probably notched the position with a triangle file but smoothed it with a round file. If that is a correct memory, then the cut would be round. In my opinion, the saddle is not the nut, so the strings should rest mainly on top of the saddles, not low in a groove.

We need Paul W. to comment on this one!

kennyhowes · Post by **kennyhowes** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 11:56 am

I too have been wondering about this subject - I've always used little cheapo jewellers' files for this job, and have never had the problem of strings busting at the saddle. Good idea to make sure they're smooth though (the slots of course, not the files!).

winston · Post by **winston** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 10:31 am

I was rather hoping that you would have an answer by now guys. I am curious also.

harvey49 · Post by **harvey49** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 12:50 pm

Have you got an opinion for us Paul?

xcoyle · Post by **xcoyle** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 4:59 pm

Here are a couple of short articles from frets.com. The first is about not breaking strings at the saddle, but is more about acoustics. The second is about nut slots, which many of the principles would apply to a saddle, I think. It basically says, for nuts, V shape bad, round good!

http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Musician/GenSetup/StringBreakage/stringbreak1.html

http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Musician/GenSetup/Nuts/nuts1.html

I have the colored handle, double sided set of nut files from Stew-Mac. The smallest file, for the high E and B string, looks V shaped, but i guess it is rounded a bit

These seem like they would be good for filing the saddle. If the file can handle aluminum, which is a soft metal.

harvey49 · Post by **harvey49** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 1:58 pm

Thanks for the info David, it reinforces the case for a round string seat, which was clearly spelt out to me some time back. But are the Stew Mac files a common tool by people out there to do this task?

xcoyle · Post by **xcoyle** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 5:36 am

Ron, I am not sure if a special file is used for metal saddles. Paul, what your take on this?

harvey49 · Post by **harvey49** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 11:24 am

David I'm wanting to know what file profile people use apart from those StewMac nut files.

A round needle file is inadequate because it tapers over it's length. Round edge joint files are preferable as they are uniform in radius along their length. However, the smaller sizes are unavailable here in Australia, unless you purchase a box of 12, and at approx $30 AUD per file that is out of the question!

What I hoped this thread might do is point me to a luthier supplier who: (i) has these round edge joint files, (ii)sells to Australia, (iii) will sell files in a selected set of sizes.