string angle from tailpiece to bridge too shallow

[Michael Zack]

The "Man O' War" is nearly complete. I'm finishing the bridge and saddle and then it just needs some minor adjustments and we're there. Due to the length of the box the distance from the tailpiece to the bridge is long and so the string angle is pretty shallow. Any suggestion on how to increase this angle, given the current positioning? The box is 6"x15"x1.5" and scale length is 25.5".

[Taffy Evans]

Hi again, I must have too much time on my hands, well waiting for glue to dry really.

I just thought of a way I have gotten around problems like this in the past. Remove the beautiful fingerboard [saw it in another post] and shim under it. Use either a flat shim or a tapered wedge shaped one if thickness is a concern to get the projection to the saddle you need.

You certainly got a lot of options now.

Cheers Taff

[Michael Zack]

Thanks. I've heard lots of clever solutions in this thread.

[JL]

Banjo's and Mandolins have a screw in the tail piece to pull it down closer to the face to tighten the break angle or jack it up to lessen the break angle.

[Michael Zack]

Hadn't thought of that. I'm going to consider that.

[Taffy Evans]

Keep in mind that the neck angle of these instruments projects to a high bridge that is a lot closer to the tail. This allows for more domward pressure adjustment.
Cheers Taff

[JL]

with a little creativity, your string tree could have an arm on it that varies how much it holds down the strings, and wala! Tremelo!!!