HTS Make Acoustic Saddle

Acoustic saddles are supplied from manufacturers typically made from a type of plastic, be that Tusq, Micarta or other derivatives.

Bone is very resonant, so its a common request to have a nut or saddle replaced with bone, this guitar is getting a new bone nut and a new bone saddle. This walk through is on how I make a saddle.

Time to manufacture 1 hr

The base of the slot must be flat, I pencil a reference line on the bottom.

Like so.

First component completed, flat square base.

We take a piece of bone, bigger and wider than the slot.

Using a large granite block, I slide the bone over sandapper until I get it to the desired height and desired width.

Snug fit length ways.

Snug fit width ways

We match the top of the saddle to the same shape as the fretboard, here the fretboard is indicating as a 16 inch radius.

Original plastic saddle fitted

Remove strings / saddle and bridge pins

Using very small files, we go back and forth and remove our pencil marks.

Some 120 sandpaper and a shaped caul