Hummingbird 1999 factory saddle strings spacing

[Bluesfingerman]

Hi,

 

I have Gibson acoustic Hummingbird Early 60' year 1999. I want to change the saddle ( higher ) . Does anyone know Gibson factory specifications:

 

1. factory distance of E strings from edge of fretboard at 12 fret?

2. Strings spacings on the saddle ?

3. recommended strings height at 12 fret ?

3. how deep the slots in saddle are ?

 

I have all necessary tools from Stew Mac.

Thanks for reply

 

Bluesfingerman

[j45nick]

I'm somewhat confused by your question. Saddles are not slotted. The strings find their natural position on the saddle as they are tensioned, as determined by the bridge pin spacing and the spacing of the strings at the nut.

 

The standard clearance for Gibson acoustics (per the Gibson website) between the top of the 12th fret and the underside of the high and low E-strings is: treble side, 1/16" (about 1.6mm); bass side, 3/32" (about 2.4mm). In practice, your playing style may dictate more clearance than this. Generally speaking, most players prefer action that is as low as possible without creating fret buzz. This will vary not only with playing style but with string gauge, string tension, and neck relief.

 

The top radius of the saddle should approximate the fretboard radius, so the clearance of the other strings at the 12th fret will be proportional to the numbers above.

 

Presumably, your guitar has a standard nut, so you should be able to take the string spacing at the nut as the standard spacing that determines the distance between the strings and the distance between the strings and the edge of the fretboard.

 

If your meant to say that you wanted to change the nut, rather than the saddle, I apologize for misunderstanding your question.

[Bluesfingerman]

I'm somewhat confused by your question. Saddles are not slotted. The strings find their natural position on the saddle as they are tensioned, as determined by the bridge pin spacing and the spacing of the strings at the nut.

 

The standard clearance for Gibson acoustics (per the Gibson website) between the top of the 12th fret and the underside of the high and low E-strings is: treble side, 1/16" (about 1.6mm); bass side, 3/32" (about 2.4mm). In practice, your playing style may dictate more clearance than this. Generally speaking, most players prefer action that is as low as possible without creating fret buzz. This will vary not only with playing style but with string gauge, string tension, and neck relief.

 

The top radius of the saddle should approximate the fretboard radius, so the clearance of the other strings at the 12th fret will be proportional to the numbers above.

 

Presumably, your guitar has a standard nut, so you should be able to take the string spacing at the nut as the standard spacing that determines the distance between the strings and the distance between the strings and the edge of the fretboard.

 

If your meant to say that you wanted to change the nut, rather than the saddle, I apologize for misunderstanding your question.

 

 

Thanks for reply.

No misunderstanding it is the saddle I want to change. Original saddle is a little bit slotted to give the width of 2 6/32 between bass E & treble E string.

However when I leave the saddle unsloted and strings naturally fall on it the distance is more than that namely 2 7/32 which leaves too little distance between edge of the fretboard and two E strings.

 

I cannot find Gibson factory specs but I found for Martin D 40 : http://www.gak.co.uk/en/martin-j-40/53741

 

All spec are the same except the fretboard radius which is 10" for Hummingbird.

 

Now, they state that string spacings on saddle is 2 1/8 which gives perfect distance from two E strings and edge of fretboard.

I did the same using Stew Mac spacer ruler and guitar plays very well and I like the look of the fretboard and strings.

 

Height on E at the 12th fret is 3/32 and at first E i 2/32 which is very low action for Gibson acoustics but is still OK.

 

They recommend 7/32 & 5/32 .

 

I wanted to compare the Martin specs with the Gibson factory specs.

 

Thanks again for reply.

[bobby b]

Thanks for reply.

No misunderstanding it is the saddle I want to change. Original saddle is a little bit slotted to give the width of 2 6/32 between bass E & treble E string.

However when I leave the saddle unsloted and strings naturally fall on it the distance is more than that namely 2 7/32 which leaves too little distance between edge of the fretboard and two E strings.

 

I cannot find Gibson factory specs but I found for Martin D 40 : http://www.gak.co.uk/en/martin-j-40/53741

 

All spec are the same except the fretboard radius which is 10" for Hummingbird.

 

Now, they state that string spacings on saddle is 2 1/8 which gives perfect distance from two E strings and edge of fretboard.

I did the same using Stew Mac spacer ruler and guitar plays very well and I like the look of the fretboard and strings.

 

Height on E at the 12th fret is 3/32 and at first E i 2/32 which is very low action for Gibson acoustics but is still OK.

 

They recommend 7/32 & 5/32 .

 

I wanted to compare the Martin specs with the Gibson factory specs.

 

Thanks again for reply.

 

Just to clarify your action numbers...... The Gibson spec is 6/64 ( 3/32 ) for the low E and 4/64 ( 2/32 ) so your action at the 12th seems bang on factory spec.

 

http://www.gibson.com/Service/Owners%20Info%20Guide/Action/

[Bluesfingerman]

Just to clarify your action numbers...... The Gibson spec is 6/64 ( 3/32 ) for the low E and 4/64 ( 2/32 ) so your action at the 12th seems bang on factory spec.

 

http://www.gibson.com/Service/Owners%20Info%20Guide/Action/

 

 

Thanks for information. However, they also have this on their web : http://www2.gibson.com/Support/Tech-Tips/Basic-Guitar-Setup.aspx

 

recommending standard string height for acoustics 7/64 & 5/64 . I also tried this saddle and it is very high action.

When will they finally decide what is standard?

I personally like the 6/64 & 4/64 height more.

[j45nick]

Thanks for information. However, they also have this on their web : http://www2.gibson.com/Support/Tech-Tips/Basic-Guitar-Setup.aspx

 

recommending standard string height for acoustics 7/64 & 5/64 . I also tried this saddle and it is very high action.

When will they finally decide what is standard?

I personally like the 6/64 & 4/64 height more.

 

 

You should set it at whatever suits you. These are only factory settings. There is nothing sacred about them.

[bobby b]

Thanks for information. However, they also have this on their web : http://www2.gibson.com/Support/Tech-Tips/Basic-Guitar-Setup.aspx

 

recommending standard string height for acoustics 7/64 & 5/64 . I also tried this saddle and it is very high action.

When will they finally decide what is standard?

I personally like the 6/64 & 4/64 height more.

 

 

Me too.

My HB TV came with 6/64 - 4/64 and is labelled as such on the inspection leaflet. I have tried higher and lower and ended up just going back to original height. I find it to be great as I do like to dig in as well as play some light fingerpicking, I find it to be a perfect height for me.

 

As J45Nick states, you should set it up to suit you and your type of playing.