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Alembic Club » Alembic Basses & Guitars » Archive: 2008 » Archive through February 11, 2008 » Bridge saddles too tall « Previous Next »

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southpaw
Intermediate Member
Username: southpaw

Post Number: 195
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 - 8:52 am:   Edit Post

All:
I need advice. I own two Alembic basses, obviously both have the same bridge/saddles design. The problem is I cannot lower my action by lowering the bridge because the bridge is already as far down as possible (touching the body / sustain block). My Distillate was set up by the factory in '07 and I have not touched it. I asked about making the saddles a few millimeters shorter, then I would have be able to raise or lower the action via the bridge and not the neck, but to no avail. Yes, I have adjusted the truss rods so that the necks are dead straight and I do not want to cut deeper grooves in the saddles. I just feel that Alembic saddles are too tall! Your assistance is appreciated.
Thanks - Southpaw
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 5085
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 - 9:28 am:   Edit Post

We can make your saddles shorter. All that we need to do is grind and polish the tops. What we can't do is slot the saddles remotely. You'd have to do it yourself or hire a local repair person to do it for you. Or, we'll need the whole bass again.

No matter how tall or short your saddles are, it will not relieve you of truss rod adjustments. In fact, most of the time, it's the only adjustment you should make, since it's the part that actually moves.
southpaw
Intermediate Member
Username: southpaw

Post Number: 196
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 - 9:55 am:   Edit Post

Thanks Mica, I will check the necks again to be sure they are still straight with the crazy Midwest winter (40 degree change today!). On many of my older basses I don't like to mess with the truss rods unless absolutely neccessary but on the Alembics I guess it is OK to adjust them several times a year. I'll let you know Mica.
Thanks again.
adriaan
Senior Member
Username: adriaan

Post Number: 1771
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 - 12:46 am:   Edit Post

I wouldn't mind shorter saddles on my Spoiler either - the bridge can't go much lower than where it is right now. Luckily, I live in a temperate climate and it's no immediate concern.
white_cloud
Advanced Member
Username: white_cloud

Post Number: 286
Registered: 11-2007
Posted on Saturday, February 09, 2008 - 3:07 pm:   Edit Post

Its an odd thing this adjustment business!

My Persuader has an incredibly low action and virtually plays itself - I barely need to fret it! I havent touched the adjustments at all but it just maintains this incredible setup from month to month!

It just goes to show how individual each bass is!

John.
georgie_boy
Advanced Member
Username: georgie_boy

Post Number: 394
Registered: 8-2005
Posted on Sunday, February 10, 2008 - 2:08 am:   Edit Post

My action is pretty low, but not as if thet were lying on the frets.
I had it set up by the Bass Centre when I bought it over 7 years ago, and nothing has altered since!
Must be the temperate climate here in Europe

George

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