Question: Scale length & position of string-through holes?

[Fatmanstratman]

Apologies in advance if this has been asked before - I couldn't find it!

The guitar I'm currently building will have a scale length of 25 1/2" (648mm).

I'm just making my slave template from my master body shape template, and I'm trying to work out where my string-through holes should be positioned. I'm using a six saddle bridge, so it seems logical to me that I should work on setting the scale length at, say, where the "average" point of the saddle would be (i.e. where the strings rest on the saddles), which would be approximately where the A and B strings would rest.

Questions:

a. Am I on the right track in assuming that a "safe" guess is that the place to work on for my scale length would be the A & B string saddle position?

b. How far BEHIND that "average" scale length position should I drill my string-through holes? From other drawings I have seen, approximately 10mm seems to be the order of the day. So - on a 648mm scale length, would the string-through holes be 658mm from the nut?

or....

c. Is there some other "magic formula" that I'm missing?

PS: The guitar is NOT a Telecaster - it is my own adaptation of a couple of other classic Fender body shapes (not the Strat!).

Thanks in advance.

[Casual_Reader]

The position of the string holes in relation to the intonation point is not standard for all styles of bridges... so it depends on what style of bridge you're using and sometimes whether it's US or import spacing, etc. You mentioned a 6 saddle bridge... is that a tele bridge - vintage or modern? Or a vintage strat style hard tail bridge? Or a toronado bridge... etc.

Bridges are usually placed with the high E saddle near full extension and on the scale line (distance from the nut). To over simplify it, a theoretical string with no thickness would have the saddle right on the scale length line... the thicker the string, the more the intonation point would be slightly behind that line. If you're sure the saddles have enough range to adjust for all 6, then the bridge can be moved slightly forward from that position.

[Rob DiStefano]

the location of string thru holes on a guitar body (such as a tele) have nothing to do with scale length - that's up to the location of the bridge saddles.

bolt on the neck, measure 1/2 the scale length from the middle of the 12th fret to a point the body where the bridge will go - that's where the median length of d/g bridge saddles should be placed. put down the bridge - now you know where to drill the string thru holes.

[Fatmanstratman]

Many thanks, Casual_Reader and Rob!

Rob - I assume that it is best to first adjust the saddles to approximately half way along their minimum/maximum length of extension before placing the bridge in position? Or are they better further forward/further back?

The bridge I am proposing to fit is this one:



Looks like it has plenty of room for saddle adjustment?

[hackworth1]

IIRC, Master Ron Kirn suggested positioning the saddles more toward the north end. That's how I did mine. Specifically, I set my saddles to be approx three quarters toward the forward.

This is my interpretation of what I thought I had read. I could be wrong.

IMHO, I think there is sufficient leeway regarding the positioning of these modern bridges. Though I understand you want to be as accurate as possible. I am using a close proximation of that bridge also. Mine has three mounting holes in line behind the string holes.

[Rob DiStefano]

the median saddle setting is halfway of the saddle length screw, but i always lean toward the shortened string side ('north end") of between 2/3rds to 3/4rs forward.

[Jack Wells]

Why not use the string through hole location found on the Terry Downs drawing? This should work for most bridges.