Standard String height to fret board

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Posted by chandlerbg on Thursday, March 23, 2023

Hi, I'm planning to install new bridges for my TUT Taylor but noticed the current set up the Nut string height is higher than the bridge string height. Should they be the same or should the bridge height be a certain height for best tone? Any comment would be appreciated.

2 comments on “Standard String height to fret board”

daver Says:
Thursday, March 23, 2023 @5:39:35 PM

Just checking that you're talking squareneck. The nut height only needs to be high enough to bar cleanly (many vintage Dobros were only 1/4" high, modern squarenecks are closer to 1/2"). The saddle height needs to be high enough for good picking clearance and to provide sufficient downforce on the cone. The nut and bridge don't have to be exactly the same height to play well, but I think it's a design target, for aesthetics as much as anything.

To get the height for your new bridge saddles, you can use the old ones as a reference. Remove strings 2, 3, 4 and 5. Loosen the outer strings to take downforce off of the cone. See how much gap you have between the top of the outside strings and the coverplate strap. If there is little or no gap (just enough to pass the string through), then that is as high as you want them to be; make your new inserts the same height. If there's a significant gap, you can make the inserts that much higher.

Of course, if you like the way your reso plays and don't mind the strings being closer at the bridge than at the nut, make the new inserts the same height regardless. Hope this helps.