How Much Neck/bridge Height

[Dugz Ink]

Okay, the hardtail bridge I ordered from Stew-Mac just arrived, and I took it out to the shop. I set the neck next to the guitar body with the bottom of the fretboard (joint between neck and fretboard) almost level with the surface of the guitar body, put the Hipshot "Hardtail" bridge on the guitar body, then laid a carpenter's level on the neck.

The top of the frets are exactly level with the hardtail.

So... how much difference do you recommend between the height of the bridge and the height of the frets on an electric guitar? (This is pre-tension difference.)

My LP Jr has about 1/8" difference right now (with tension) and it feels pretty good... but that has a pretty crappy neck so I don't feel confident in using it's angle/depth/ect.

D~s

Edited October 18, 2004 by Dugz Ink

[Southpa]

The top of the frets are exactly level with the hardtail.

Exactly level w/ the hardtail at what height setting? If the saddles are level when adjusted all the way down then you might have enough room the clear the frets.

how much difference do you recommend between the height of the bridge and the height of the frets on an electric guitar? (This is pre-tension difference.)

I'm sure there are some factory specs around for Strats, LP's etc. but its mostly subject to what feels best to you. Neck relief via trussrod adjustment will also play a part in this measurement.

[Dugz Ink]

Exactly level w/ the hardtail at what height setting?

That's an important fact. (Where's the emoticon of me looking stupid?)

This is with the bridge attentuators set to their lowest position.

Neck relief via trussrod adjustment will also play a part in this measurement.

I figured as much, but I didn't know if I could start out with everything level and then pull the neck up with the strings/truss, or if I needed to have the bridge slightly higher than the frets before attaching the strings.

D~s