Which Way Screws on Tuneomatic Bridge

[PeteG45]

Having some difficulty obtaining proper intonation on a Les Paul type guitar. I noticed in a picture online that the adjustment screws face the tailpiece but mine face the pickups.

Is there a typically difference? Is there a technical reason for the screws to face one way or another (bridge shaped a particular way)? I reversed two of my bridge saddles last night (which helped a lot) and I think that I want/need to reverse one more. If the bridge screws are facing the wrong direction then I may want to address that first.

[KevinB]

I think that traditionally, the screws faced the pickup, but this is so you can get the tailpiece down low without the strings being interfered with by the screws. This is usually how you see vintage-style ABR-1 bridges set up.

Modern Nashville bridges are set up with the screws facing the tailpiece, which makes it easier to adjust them.

I really don't think it matters which way they go as long as there is no interference.

[Bartholomew3]

If the screws face the tailpiece the strings may touch them and cause vibration buzzing.

[jefrs]

The screw heads do not protrude either way.

The tail stop should not be so low that the strings touch the ToM body.
You should play with the tail stop height because it does affect the tone.

If you have screws facing tail stop then the saddles cannot be pushed forwards by the string pressure.
If the screw heads face the pickup then you should have a retaining spring (or such mechanism) to stop the screws being pushed forwards.

There are several designs of "ToM" so which way round all depends.

[H. Mac]

Originally Posted by jefrs

The screw heads do not protrude either way. [Next 4 sentences deleted for brevity] There are several designs of "ToM" so which way round all depends.

I think jefrs has it correctly nailed, especially considering that the OP said he has a Les Paul type guitar.

There are a few types of TOMs, a few different types of saddles used with TOMs, and course, there are several TOM clones. Most TOM-equipped Gibsons have the screws closest to the pickups from the factory (based on my limited experience), although I have seen a couple with the screws facing the lower bout.

There is often enough adjustment potential for the bridge to be flipped either way, so that the screws can face either the pickups or the lowe bout, so it may be a matter of preference, rather than a techically correct way.

[6stringelectric]

I have an Epi Les Paul that came with the screws facing up (towards the neck)

I also have a Gibson Invader that came with the screws facing down.

Both bridges do have a spring that holds the screws in place.

Both guitars were bought used, so I don't know if either came from the factory that way.

But, there is no interference with the screws or the bridge hitting the strings on either guitar.

And no problem adjusting the intonation on either one.

I suppose if you have the bridge pickup adjusted very high it might be a problem adjusting the intonation with the screws facing the neck, but other than that I don't think it matters.

[PeteG45]

This is an Agile LP copy and the screws face the pickups. I adjusted the tailpiece so that the break angle wasn't so sever and it plays better. I still have to reverse the D string saddle to get that one intonated but the rest are very close now.

I also still need to get just a touch more relief in the neck. Maybe just another 1/8 to 1/4 turn (i hope). I'm going slow with the neck and I'll revisit the intonation after I get the relief where I want it.

The bridge does have the little wire holding the screws in place.