Tune -O- Matic??

[rydog2223]

Perhaps a dumb question... on the newer LP's 04 to be exact. Do the saddle adjustment screws face the neck or the bridge when the tune-o-matic is on the guitar?? And also what is the trick to filing the grooves?? Thanks.

[rooster]

It depends on where the saddles need to be to allow intonation, and whether you have a compensated nut. With a compensated nut (like Earvana), the saddles line up almost straight across without the "stairstep" at the D/G strings. I like the flat side facing the nut, unless the saddle needs to be moved to the VERY back of the bridge and the intonation harmonic is still flat. You can file the saddles with standard nut files, that's what I use, and a under-string radius gauge to match the fret radius.

See Dan Erlewine's "Guitar Player Repair Guide." It's the best, with a lot of nut/bridge setup info.

rooster.

[scottlr]

Nashville TOM Bridge have the adjustment screws facing to the rear of the guitar. ABR style TOMs have the adjustment screws facing the neck. I think production models would have the Nashville style bridge. My 2002 does.

[rydog2223]

Thanks for the info. I am slowly but sureley tring to do my own work. My guitar dude lives 70 miles from me and it gets pretty expensive so the more little stuff I can do the better. I know it's the TOM and not the ABR so that helps. I'll check out that book rooster thanks. rydog

[CAFeathers]

All of the Gibson's I have bought (Nashville T.O.M. and ABR style bridges) have come with the screws facing the neck.
I find it is easier to make saddle adjustments with the screws facing the neck.