Bridge, Pickup & Saddle problems all in one geetar.

...every bridge sound issue you could think of. In this case, it's a Takamine... but it applies to most acoustics.

[@Mr.TakamineUSA]

The braided pickup is not a Takamine pickup. The integrated saddle is meant to be used with the Takamine Integrated CP100 pickup where the saddle is held inside of a "U" channel. This guitar is not a stock Takamine G Series instrument, it has been poorly modified with Non-Takamine Parts.

[@cugir321]

My low E lacks sustain....is fine if the string is played open. Any suggestions? My gut says there's a void under the 2 - 6th frets....deep slot

[@LennonLuthierFinagler]

Lacking sustain could be the string, nut or bridge. The strong could be very dirty or old. The nut may be of plastic or have dirt in the groove and the bridge may be the same.... very hard to tell.... send me an email with some images if you can? austen @ austenlennon .co.uk.

[@paulneedham9885]

Its missing the metal case that it should slot into. That is why it was loose. Someone has altered it and not known what they were doing. When assembled correctly with all the correct parts it gives a better contact and sound than a standard piezo strip under the saddle.

[@LennonLuthierFinagler]

yes.... and, from memory, I think it couldn't have one because the neck was sunk and the owner didn't want to spend money... but my memory!

[@dhirenjazz8100]

Good info video by you actually I'm facing same issue noise humm ground issue so do I need to change saddle pick up or there can be issue in pre-amp also?????? What are factors for hum????

[@0713mas]

Those combed saddle and plasic coating designs are meant to make the peizo sound less quacky and trebley. The plastic shim is meant to force a more level contact, without having to be as precise. IMO it does work but eventually wears out and the pickup loses contact and volume, it also makes it more difficult to repair or work on. It often makes those pickups work better with less EQing needed but likely affects the overall tone of the instrument. acoustically!

[@LennonLuthierFinagler]

I replaced it with a bone pickup... owner seems to love the sound... and that makes me happy. :-)

[@guitardude4700]

@@LennonLuthierFinagler You gave me a great idea there’s a certain takamine a 12 string that I like and if I don’t like the pick up I will replace it thanks for the idea I appreciate it

[@jeromevillanueva2207]

Mine has weak line output on both higher and lower E strings. It's a locally made Nylon String guitar with a synthetic plastic saddle. How can it be fixed? Thanks!

[@LennonLuthierFinagler]

That sounds to me like a bridge pickup issue, if so, you could try a piezo pickup, they are cheap and if that does help then you will know if the bridge pickup would need to be replaced or you could check to see that the saddle is slightly rounded and is pressing against the under saddle pickup. Theoretically the two ends of the bone saddle could be higher than the pickup and not pressing as hard against the pickup.

[@matamata7687]

I love nubone on high E, but on low E i love plastic, can i cut 2 saddle in one bridge ? I mean 123 strings nubone 456 plastic, with non equalizer guitar

[@LennonLuthierFinagler]

You definitely can if you have a flat surface to work on.

[@farber2]

D'angelico, under saddle pickup, made terrible vibration sound, and didn't sound good, I just took it out and put in a new taller bone saddle, works great, now I have to find a new pickup.

[@howardbull9001]

Someone has bodged that guitar transducer. The saddle is machined so it slots into a channel. The channel on that guitar is missing. The transducer also doesn't look right as it should be segmented to match the castellations on the underside of the saddle.

[@LennonLuthierFinagler]

100% right... I considered replacing it but the didn't didn't want spend money.

[@patricknelson1471]

the original saddles are just a demo its one of the first things you have to upgrade

[@RedSirenX]

Hi there. Great video. My strings keep buzzing. I snapped multiple ones and went through multiple packs of strings.

[@LennonLuthierFinagler]

Hmmm... could be several issues. The nut maybe be physically too sharp for intonation or the saddle could be too physically sharp. The pegs could be rough around the hole where the string goes in.... the buzzing sounds like the saddle is too low... you could have, rare, a sharp fret... send me some close up pics at austen @ austenlennon .co .uk - glad to advise.

[@Donorcyclist]

Great info! Thank you!

[@LennonLuthierFinagler]

Glad it was helpful!

[@BuckSkull]

It looks like the cable that goes to the pick up and not the pick up itself. I think the pezio is missing. just my guess.

[@Sumitp-qs9xw]

is there a paper inside the saddle??

[@LennonLuthierFinagler]

No it is a tiny strip of plastic.... useless... it is the thickness of the plastic you get on a tub of butter.

[@Sumitp-qs9xw]

@@LennonLuthierFinagler in my guitar there was paper inside my bridge so i take all the shit out under that saddle is it ok??

[@LennonLuthierFinagler]

The more that a saddle is attached to the solidness of the body the better..... paper is the worst... wood or thin metal if you have to raise the saddle up.... is the best.

[@patricknelson1471]

bone or tusq make the guitars much better

[@patricknelson1471]

i hate electroacoustic guitars electric and full acoustics are the way to go