5 replies to this topic

[Barlera]

It's said that the hight for G and E strings is 5.5mm and 3.5mm. Are these general parameters that can be customized or there is a technical reazon for these measures. My bridge is with only 5mm at G and 3mm at E strings. Any inconvenience?

Barlera

[welshman]

Those are generally accepted guidelines that will vary with string type - steel strings will require less clearance - gut strings may require more. The height varies from string to string based on the vibrating envelope of the string - the space the vibrating strings needs as it is played, if you pluck an open string you can see the 3-d space it creates, string buzz comes from the contact of this envelope with the board or bump or the low nut etc.

It also depends on the attack and pressure on the string, if you are a delicate player and not trying to play loud you can get by with lower string height. If the fingerboard is perfectly cambered and conditioned you also can get by with less.

Reese

[Mat Roop]

What type of strings do you have??
The 5.5 and 3.5 clearances are for synthetic core (like Dominant) or gut strings. If you are using steel rope core strings (like Superfexible)then 2.5 and 4.0 are appropriate.
But as Welshman says... the condition of your fingerboard and playing style has a lot to do with the right height.
If your existing heights are not giving you any trouble... then leave it alone
Cheers, Mat

[nathan slobodkin]

As far as playability the other answers to your question are all correct but you also want to take into acount the hight of the bridge top from the belly and or the string angle over the bridge which is very important to the sound of the instrument since it affects the downward force on the top. There was a long and heated discussion of this several weeks ago on this forum and you should try to find it.

[Barlera]

Thanks to every one that answered my question. The answers were very profitable for me. The reazon of my ask you because I need make some adjust to the arch of my bridge and it could become very short. The string are Dominant, but I intende to change for Pirastro Obligado, with chrome A and wound E.

Barlera

[lyndon]

raising the strings point5mm isnt going to do much to increase the downward pressure or increase the angle over the bridge, though it will slightly, basically if your strings arent buzzing when you play really loud, your ok.....