Find the Correct Saddle for Your Breedlove® Acoustic Guitar

Are you searching for a Breedlove acoustic guitar saddle? Breedlove models typically use one of three different compensation patterns – zig zag, compensated D and G, or compensated B with slanted bass. These different compensation patterns also come with different radii and length/height/thickness specs.

Although this guide will help, you must measure your guitar’s current saddle and saddle slot to ensure a proper fit. If you are not the original owner, someone may have installed a different saddle, adjusted the saddle slot, or possibly even installed a different bridge or neck at some time, thus producing different specs from the factory’s original specs. 

Step One – Determine Fretboard and Saddle Radius

Breedlove has used a variety of different fretboard and saddle top radii. Note that your factory saddle and fretboard radius may not match. For optimal playability, we advise matching the two. 

Step Two – Measure Current Saddle and Saddle Slot

There is no standard saddle size, even from the factory. Although technicians might start with a common saddle size, they will make adjustments, which will result in unique saddle sizes for each guitar. The saddles you see listed for sale online are starting points, not factory set sizes. You will need to remove your current saddle and measure with a caliper. Measure saddle slot length and thickness, as well as saddle length, maximum height, bass to treble height difference, and thickness, then compare those with the specs of a saddle replacement you plan to buy.

Step Three- Determine Compensation Pattern

Breedlove has used a variety of different compensation patterns over the years, and these are not interchangeable. Some of the common patterns include those listed below. 

Zig Zag Compensated

A number of Breedlove models made in the USA use a zig zag compensated saddle. We’ve seen both 14 and 16 inch top radius zigzag compensated saddles on Breedlove models, as well as 72 and 72.5 mm lengths.

Breedlove Zig Zag Saddle at Angle
Zig Zag Compensted Saddle

You might be tempted to use a Seagull style zig zag compensated saddle, but we advise against this. The Seagull saddle is slightly longer in length, and although the two use a similar zig pattern, subtle differences appear, which can cause minor intonation problems. 

First, look at the Breedlove style zig zag pattern in the below image. Note that the shift between the two sections is at a 90 degree angle. Also note how sharp the compensation sides are. 

Breedlove Guitars Style Saddle Zig Zag Front
Breedlove Style

Now look at the Seagull style zig zag pattern in the below image. Note that the shift between the two sections is at a 45 degree angle. Also note how the compensation sides are more rounded versus the Breedlove’s, which will result in a subtly shorter scale length. 

While these differences might seem insignificant, these combined with the Breedlove saddle’s shorter overall length, which can produce a potential misalignment with string spacing, can produce intonation issues.

Seagull Guitar Saddle Zig Zag Front
Seagull Style

Compensated D and G

Made in USA Breedlove models may also have a compensated D and G saddle, although this is less common and typically only found on guitars made in the 2000s and 2010s. This saddle has a subtle angle compensation for the treble E and B strings, places both the D and G forward, and then has the bass A and E strings backward, with the A slightly forward relative to the bass E. This saddle has a tight 9.5 inch radius, is relatively thick at 3.45 mm, along with a nearly 73 mm length and a maximum height of nearly 12 mm.

Forward D and G Compensated Saddle for Breedlove Acoustic Guitars
Compensted D and G Saddle

If you wish to get this saddle in Tusq, see part number PQ-9212-00. 

Compensated B with Slanted Bass – 3.2 mm Thick

This saddle is often seen on Asian-made Breedlove models built after 2014. Length is often 72 mm with a thickness of 3.2 mm. Top radius is 16 inches.

Unbleached Bone Saddle for Breedlove 72 mm A
Unbleached Bone Saddle - Compensated B with Slanted Bass

We offer the 3.2 mm thick saddles in 8 mm heights or 9 mm heights.

Compensated B with Slanted Bass – 3.7 mm Thick

Many of the Breedlove Atlas Series models from the 2000s and 2010s have a tall, thick saddle with a 12 inch top radius. These saddles are somewhat distinct in the acoustic guitar saddle world in that few other saddles are this thick at 3.7 mm. Some of the Breedlove Cascade Series models will use this saddle type, too. 

Bone Guitar Saddle Fits Many Breedlove Atlas Guitars 13 mm Height Angle
Bone Saddle - Compensated B with Slanted Bass

Finding this saddle can be somewhat difficult, but we do offer this in bone. Please see the following link: Bone Saddle for Some Breedlove Atlas Series.

Which Saddle Size Does Your Breedlove Need?

If you are still unsure which saddle your Breedlove needs, please contact us with the below information:

  • Breedlove Guitar Year, Model, Fretboard Radius
  • Current Saddle Length, Height, Thickness
  • Guitar Saddle Slot Length, Thickness (if different from your saddle specs)
  • Bass to Treble Edge Height Difference
  • Current Saddle Compensation Pattern (please send a picture if you are not sure what type you have)
  • String Spacing at the Bridge

We will respond within 48 hours.