Official Luthiers Forum!

I have read many times, Im a hobby builder uh builder is probably too strong, there is to be 1/8" saddle sticking out of a 3/8" thick bridge between the D and G strings . That makes the height of strings 1/2" off the top. Is that the consensus of opinion here?

Yup, that's the target...

Also for me and I expect the action to be at the correct height with these figures.
Tom

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A person who has never made a mistake has never made anything!!!

I shoot for 7/16", wouldn't want to go over 1/2". My goal is 11/32" bridge with about .100" saddle.

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

depends but 1/2 is target 9/16 is MAX 7/16 is min for me
On initial set up if you set up on 7/16 , you can expect the top to rise a bit . Also keep in mind that you have to have the RH controlled when setting the braces. RH can cause the top to rise. RH drop can lower the top
I glue braces at 40% RH in the shop.
If we are speaking of Martin specs
I want to see .125 saddle on a through bridge saddle slot and about .150 on a drop in.

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

Of course you have to have your neck set in mind and the action you want when deciding what thickess you want the bridge. I dont see anyway to anticipate the possible rise of the top and get optimum action.
I guess I should have linked to an authority but I want to see opinions and why. The whys Ive read say you maximum sound without over-leveraging the bridge. Anyway the link below is an example but I want to see what the community says.
http://www.frets.com/FretsPages/Musicia ... angle.html

I'm with John for height off the soundboard.
I anticipate a rise in the top, depends on the wood and (maybe the size of lower bout I think)
Seems to be around 3/64 on average (about 0.7 mm), give or take - only 5 builds to far.
Bridge around 3/8", rest is saddle.

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.