When you have to adjust the action on your guitar bridge then you need to follow a proper process. If you miss out on anything then either you will not get the desired result or the guitar can be damaged. In this article, we will discuss how to adjust the guitar bridge to make sure it sounds perfect just the way you want it.
What is to adjust the action of the guitar bridge?
To adjust the action means that the guitar should sound good and it is about how a guitar plays when we consider the distance of the fingerboard and the strings. If the strings are sitting high then it will become difficult for you to fret and if they are very low then a buzzing sound is produced. So, when the strings of the guitar are high or low you will have to adjust the action. You will either need to raise the Faber bridge also known as the saddles. Saddles are the parts located in front of the bridge where the strings sit.
How to raise the saddle low or high?
You have to lower or raise the saddle turning the hex screws and you will need a tine hex wrench for this. To raise the saddle just turn the screw clockwise and turn it counterclockwise for lowering the saddle. If there are two hex screws or guitar bridge studs on the saddle then you have to turn both in the same way so the level is maintained.
How does adjusting the intonation help?
Another way to do it by using the saddles and adjusting the intonation of the guitar. So, what is intonation? It is the accuracy of the pitch which is produced by fretting. For example, when you are playing the 12th note then the resulting note should be an octave higher than the open string. In case the 12th note is a little higher than the octave then it means the string is fretting sharp whereas if you find the 12th fret note is a little lower than the octave then it means that the string is fretting flat. Here are a few quick tips that can help:
- To correct the intonation of the string moving the saddles away from the nut is the key. You will have to do this if the string is fretting sharp and it will be towards the nut if the strings are fretting flat. Different bridges have different methods for this.
- The screws located at the back of the Faber tone lock bridge helps in determining the saddle front to back position and when you look at the bridge assembly carefully then it is obvious where you need to make an adjustment.
- For correcting a string that is fretting sharp you will first have to turn the screws clockwise using the flat head screwdriver and while doing this extra care should be taken so you do not ding the top with the handle when you turn the screw. This will help in pulling the saddle back toward the bridge.
- For correcting the strings that are fretting flat you will have to turn the screw clockwise so the saddle can move towards the nut.
Remember that you have to adjust the saddle for a string so correct only that string and for each string, you will have to make intonation adjustments.
