I’m getting ready to replace the 3 bridge saddles for the plain strings on my 335. Seems fairly straight forward however, I have a question/concern. I see that at Gibson the builders tend to use a plastic/dead blow hammer to make the unwound saddle notches. Is it safe to do that on a semi-hollow guitar, or is it best to just mark & use a nut/saddle file? I’ve never notched saddles on a semi-hollow before.
ABR Saddle notching on an ES-335
- Thread starter Dave71
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Tom99SS
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- Jan 11, 2008
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The 335 should have a center block going all the way thru. Look thru the F-Holes. I got a replacement high E saddle as the factory one was too close to the edge of the fret board. Installed the new nylon saddle, used a nail punch of the correct size and then a slight tap with a fretting hammer. Once you can see the indention on the saddle use a nut slotting file of correct size to file the slot.
P.Walker
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+1
No need to worry about the structural worries, but also make sure to file it well like a nut like Tom said. Just a whack isn't going to be as good.
Uncle Gary
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The trick, as has been said, is to use a light rap to locate the string center, then use a nut slotting file to finish the slot.
I've never used a hammer, just nut files to slot my bridges.
I've never used a hammer, just nut files to slot my bridges.
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- Feb 26, 2006
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Me too...
It is, but once you start looking at other guitars, you start noticing how uneven alot of them are, even from the factory.....I have seen people with spacing guides they hold up to the strings.