Find the Right Saddle for Your Epiphone® Acoustic Guitar

Do you need an Epiphone steel string acoustic guitar saddle? Epiphone began making instruments in 1873, and thus finding the correct saddle for your Epiphone can be difficult as there’s not a single saddle size for all Epiphone guitars.
This article provides tips on finding the right saddle for your Epiphone flat top steel string acoustic guitar, but we suggest that you also measure your guitar’s current saddle and slot for a proper fit. If you are not the original owner, at some point someone may have installed a different saddle or have adjusted the saddle slot, producing different specs from the factory’s.

Please Note: Gibson and Epiphone acoustic guitars use different saddle types, even on models with the same name, such as the Dove. Please see our article on Gibson acoustic guitar saddles.

Step One: Determine Fretboard Radius

Epiphone acoustic guitars often have a 12 inch fretboard radius, but please note that some Epiphones have either a 14 or 16 inch radius fretboard. For example, some previous Masterbilt models used a 14 inch radius fretboard, such as the DR-500MCE. The Epiphone Slash J-45 uses a 16 inch radius fretboard. 

If you have a recent model, you can check fretboard radius specs on the Epiphone website. If you have an older model, find your guitar’s serial number and contact Epiphone and ask what the fretboard radius is for your year/model.

Please note that if you are not the original owner, another neck may have been installed at some point. You may want to check the fretboard radius with a gauge.

Step Two: Determine Saddle Type

Epiphone acoustics often have one of the below saddle types, but please note that other saddle types may have appeared during Epiphone’s lengthy history.

Through Saddle

Prior to the 1960s, Epiphone often made arch top guitars, but did make some flat top steel string guitars. Those flat top models often have a through saddle, which will go through the bridge. These saddles might be glued in. This type of saddle requires significant skill and knowledge for replacement. We advise that you do not attempt DIY and instead hire a professional guitar technician.

Non-Compensated Drop In Saddle

For Epiphone models built from the 1960s to around 2000 Epiphone often used non-compensated drop in saddles. Height, length, thickness will vary significantly and so there is no single non-compensated saddle size for Epiphone models. You will need to measure your saddle’s slot to find the correct fit. Some current models will also use a non-compensated saddle, such as the Chris Stapleton model.

Please note that a drop in saddle means that the saddle is not glued in, but still may require adjustment to a specific guitar.

Height Adjustable Saddles

A number of Epiphone models from the 1960s to the 1980s had height adjustable saddles. This saddle type was connected to a bridge that contained metal hardware that allowed for easy saddle height adjustments. Although a great idea for playability adjustments, the saddles are often regarded as tone killers, with some guitarists opting to replace the entire bridge. Materials and sizes varied, so please measure your current saddle carefully. 

Note: A height adjustable saddle is different from a floating bridge, which is found on an archtop guitar. Please see the following link: Floating Bridge Information

Zig Zag Compensated

Although somewhat rare on Epiphones, your guitar might have a zig zag compensated saddle – please see our Saddle Compensation Patterns article for more information. Some, but not all, steel-string Epiphone Pro-1 models have this pattern type. 

B Compensated with Slanted Bass

Since 2000, many Epiphone acoustic saddles are B compensated with slanted bass. These saddles are often 75 mm long, but will vary from 73 to 78 mm in length, so please measure your current saddle before ordering a replacement. These saddles are often 3.2 mm thick, and have a 12 inch radius. Height is typically around 9 to 10 mm. Please see our saddles for Epiphone guitars.