Find the Right Height Adjustable Saddle for Your Acoustic Guitar

Step Two: Measure Fretboard and Saddle Radii

Matching your saddle and fretboard radii will produce better playability and reduced buzzing. Please note that guitar manufacturers sometimes use a saddle with a different radius from the fretboard’s. We advise that you measure your fretboard radius and then find a saddle replacement with a matching radius.

Note: The Tusq adjustable saddle with cutout edges has a 14 inch radius, although many Gibson models have a 12 inch fretboard radius.

Step Three: Measure Length, Thickness, Maximum Height, and Bass/Treble Edge Height Difference

Adjustable saddle lengths vary anywhere from around 60 to 80 mm. Thickness varies anywhere from 2.5 mm up to 7 mm for the Gibson style cutout edge saddles. Maximum height is often around 8 to 10 mm, but will vary for each guitar.

It might seem as though the bass to treble edge height difference would be zero for these saddles since the mechanism allows for bass/treble height adjustments, but you will often see bass to treble height differences, which will vary for each saddle.

Step Four: Measure Saddle Slot Length and Thickness

We also advise that you measure your saddle slot length and thickness as this might differ from your saddle’s specs. You may wish to get a slightly longer and/or thicker replacement saddle.

Step Five: Determine Compensation Pattern

While it might seem as though height adjustable saddles are simply non-compensated, differences do appear. Obtaining a replacement saddle with the same compensation type is necessary to maintain intonation. Below is a description of the most common types.

Non-Compensated

If your saddle is non-compensated, check to see whether it is center line or forward line – please see our Guide to Non-Compensated Saddles for more information. Note: Diagonal compensation saddles are uncommon for height adjustable saddles.

Center Line B Compensated

If your saddle has compensation for the B, check to see whether it is center line or forward line B compensated – please see our Guide to B Compensated Saddles for more information. Center line B compensated saddles are more common than forward line B compensated saddles are on height adjustable saddles.

B Compensated Plus Additional Compensation

If your height adjustable saddle is B compensated plus has additional compensation, it’s unlikely the original saddle.  

If your goal is to recreate the look of your guitar, then we advise that you try to determine the original saddle type used.

If your goal is to improve intonation, you might want to consider other compensation patterns, but please note several things. First, increased compensation does not necessarily equal improved intonation. Many vintage guitars had sharper bridge saddle slot angles rather than compensated saddles, and so using a compensated saddle could have a negative effect on your intonation, especially if your bridge string spacing does not match the saddle compensation pattern.

Second, many height adjustable saddles are around 2.8 mm thickness. However, many of the aftermarket saddles available today are built for drop-in installation, not a height adjustable slot, and are often either 2.5, 3.0, or 3.2 mm thickness. Adjusting saddle thickness by hand is difficult so be sure to measure your saddle and saddle slot thickness, then compare to any saddle you plan to purchase.

Third, some height adjustable saddle slots are around 65 mm long, but many of the aftermarket saddles available today are built for drop-in installation, not a height adjustable slot, and are often around 70 to 75 mm long. Adjusting length on a compensated saddle will require that you do so without disrupting the compensation pattern versus the string spacing.

Please see our Acoustic Guitar Saddle Compensation Patterns article for a discussion of common types. 

Step Six: Determine Material

Adjustable height saddles have appeared in a variety of different materials over the years, including ceramic, wood, bone, plastic, and Tusq. Please see our article on guitar saddle materials for more information. Please see this video demonstration of some of these different materials.

A Note on String Notches

Your saddle may have notches that each string fits in. These either happened because the strings slowly dug the notches, or someone incorrectly cut notches to lower action. Acoustic guitar saddles should not have notches, which will pinch the strings at the side and result in a subtly muted tone. String pressure is sufficient to keep strings in place at the saddle.

What Adjustable Saddle Does Your Guitar Need?

Still wondering which adjustable saddle your guitar needs? Please send us all of the following information.

• Saddle Edge Type
• Fretboard Radius
• Current Saddle Length, Maximum Height, Thickness – Must be measured with a caliper
• Bass to Treble Height Difference
• Guitar Saddle Slot Length, Thickness (if different from saddle specs) – Must be measured with a caliper
• String spacing at the bridge
• Current Saddle Compensation Pattern (please send a picture if you are not sure what type you have).