Find the Right Saddle for Your Blueridge® Acoustic Guitar
Are you searching for a Blueridge steel-string acoustic guitar saddle? Although similar to many Martin guitars in many ways, Blueridge Guitars nevertheless use saddles that are typically either shorter or longer, as well as 0.5 to 0.7 mm thicker than the common drop-in Martin style saddles are. As such, using a Martin style saddle on a Blueridge is unlikely to work. This guide provides tips for finding the correct saddle size for your Blueridge steel-string acoustic guitar.
Although this guide will help, we suggest that you also measure your guitar’s bridge saddle slot for a proper fit. If you are not the guitar’s original owner, someone may have installed a different saddle, adjusted the saddle slot, or even installed a different bridge or neck at some time, thus producing different specs from the factory’s original specs.
Blueridge Prewar Series
If you have a Blueridge Prewar Series model, then most likely your guitar has a through saddle, which will go all the way through the bridge lengthwise and may be glued in place. Replacing this saddle type requires a good deal of skill and so we suggest that you find a professional guitar technician for the job.
Blueridge Historic and Contemporary Series
Blueridge Historic and Contemporary Series models commonly use a non-compensated center line saddle with a 16 inch radius. Maximum height is often around 9 to 10 mm, with a bass to treble edge height difference of about 1 to 1.5 mm, but this will vary for each individual guitar. Length varies significantly between 69 and 75 mm, so please measure your guitar’s bridge saddle slot before ordering a replacement. Lengths of 69, 72, or 75 mm are somewhat common, but you’ll see lengths in between these specs, too. Thickness is typically 3.0 to 3.2 mm. Please measure your current saddle’s length, thickness, maximum height, and bass to treble edge height difference before ordering. We also advise that you measure your saddle slot, as this may be different from your saddle’s specs.
Please see our Non-Compensated Saddles for Blueridge Guitars for options, all of which have a 1.5 mm bass to treble edge height difference.
The center line non-compensated saddle places all strings at the saddle center, as shown in the below image, with the blue line representing the approximate location each string sits. The below image shows a three degree bridge slot angle.
Some of our customers have used a single wave compensated saddle – as shown in the below image – in place of a center line non-compensated saddle.
The single wave compensated saddle does not necessarily produce better intonation. It will have an effect on your intonation by lengthening or shortening certain string lengths, but this may be a positive or negative effect depending on each string. The single wave compensated saddle places the treble E and B strings backward, the G and D strings forward, the A string center, and the bass E string backward, as shown in the below image, with the blue line representing the approximate location each string sits. The below image shows a three degree bridge slot angle.
Please check your guitar’s intonation and determine how the resulting different string lengths will affect your intonation before purchasing a single wave compensated saddle for your Blueridge.
Note: An exception among the Contemporary Series is the NT-40T Tenor Guitar, which has a through saddle, similar to those used on the Prewar Series models, but shorter in length.
Bristol by Blueridge
The economy Bristol by Blueridge guitars use a different saddle type from those used on any of the Blueridge Series. The Bristol models use a B compensated saddle with slanted bass – please see our Guide to B Compensated Saddles for more information. The Bristol guitars also use a 16 inch fretboard radius.
Which Saddle Size Does Your Blueridge Need?
If you need more information on which saddle your Blueridge acoustic guitar needs, please contact us with all of the below information:
- Your Blueridge’s Year, Model, Fretboard Radius
- Current Saddle Length, Height, Thickness
- Guitar Saddle Slot Length, Thickness (if different from your saddle specs)
- Current Saddle Compensation Pattern (please send a picture if you are not sure what type you have)
- Bass to Treble Edge Height Difference
- String Spacing at the Bridge
We will respond to your message within 48 hours.
