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B-2 bridge saddle replacement


jwciv

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Hi All - I have an Epiphone Les Paul Studio, about 2-3 years old. I'm replacing the saddles and noticed that three of them face one direction and the other three are turned 180 degrees. Is this a standard set-up or should I install the new ones all facing in the same direction? If they all go in the same direction, which orientation is correct? The saddles are angled on one side, flat on the other, bridge is a B-2.

Thanks

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Three one way and three the other way is standard - bevels on the low strings toward the nut - even if the entire bridge is "reversed", they'll be oriented the same (no correct way there, either, except for better screwdriver access to the saddle screws) . It really doesn't matter how they are oriented, as long as you can set the intonation OK.

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Here's the standard setup off the patent drawings:

 

LPBridgeDiagram.jpg

 

And a couple of photos with the saddles in the "correct" configuration:

 

LPBridgephoto.jpg

 

LPBridgephoto2.jpg

 

But Ron's right, it doesn't really matter unless the angle is so sharp on the high strings that they start breaking....

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Three one way and three the other way is standard - bevels on the low strings toward the nut - even if the entire bridge is "reversed"' date=' they'll be oriented the same (no correct way there, either, except for better screwdriver access to the saddle screws) . It really doesn't matter how they are oriented, as long as you can set the intonation OK.[/quote']

 

I found that that is the standard way that Epiphone seems to set their bridge saddles up. However, when I had a

Tone-Pros II bridge/saddle placed on my Sheraton II, the tech put it on with all the bevels towards the Stop-Bar

tailpiece. It's working, so I'm not complaining. So as Ron pointed out "It really doesn't matter how they are oriented, as long as you can set the intonation OK.".

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Ron G, brianh and paulp_sheraton2 -- thanks for the quick replies. Couple followup questions

1. I assume the wire retainer just pops out of the holes to let the saddle screws loose?

2. Can anyone point me to some newbie intonation instructions?

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1) You need not remove the retaining wire (i.e. don't!)

 

jwciv, Ron's right; don't remove that retaining wire. Otherwise the screws in your saddle will move very easily

causing intonation problems. :P I had that happenning on my Epi LP Standard because the retaining wire

was a little loose. My tech tightened it up and now the screws don't move unless you put a screwdriver to

them. I don't have them problem with my Sheraton II anymore as I replaced the stock bridge/saddle with a

Tone-Pros II and they don't need a retaining wire...Paul

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At the above two posts, the OP stated he's actually replacing the saddles, which I figure would be pretty hard without taking the screws out...

 

As for the actual question, that wire is hard to get out with your fingers, a smallish flathead screwdriver makes quick work of it though, just don't lose the wire afterwards!

 

For intonation, what I do is run the guitar through your tuner of choice (preferably a decent digital one that measures cents) then play a string open, tune it up to pitch, then fret the string at the 12th fret (one octave higher) and check the tuner. If the 12th fret reads flat (lower,) then move the saddle towards the neck. Conversely if the 12th fret note is sharp (high,) move the saddle towards the tail-piece. Very small adjustments make a large difference; I don't adjust more than half a turn at once. Re-tune the open string up to pitch and try the 12th fret again. Repeat this as necessary until both the open string and 12th fret read exactly the same on the tuner.

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Hi All - I have an Epiphone Les Paul Studio' date=' about 2-3 years old. I'm replacing the saddles and noticed that three of them face one direction and the other three are turned 180 degrees. Is this a standard set-up or should I install the new ones all facing in the same direction? If they all go in the same direction, which orientation is correct? The saddles are angled on one side, flat on the other, bridge is a B-2.

Thanks

 

[/quote']

Get rid of that old B-2 bridge. It is the worst thing I ever encountered on my Epiphone.

The new Epiphone stamped, PAF Loc-Tone is a Godsend over that old thing.

On the B-2 the saddles will move while you strum and it vibrates on the posts.

My advice would be to order a replacement Gotoh from Stewmac and be done with it.

Best $22 you could spend and it drops right in.

It's a touch wider *like a Gibson bridge* and provides great intonation length. No Retainer Wire!

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_tailpieces/Electric_guitar,_Tune-o-matic_bridges/Gotoh_Tune-o-matic_Bridge_with_Studs_Bushings.html

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