Tune-O-matic bridge questions

[barneyrumble]

Why do I see such varied set up's on the saddles on Tune-O-matic bridges? I am talkiing about the saddle alignments. The link below shows the saddles for the 3 wound strings going one way and the saddles for the plain strings going the other. I have seen other bridges with all of them lined up the same and even a couple with the high E and Low E different from the rest of the saddles.

I would think there could be string breakage/intonation issues if they are not set up right.

Please enlighten me oh wise ones!

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/y...17_1968_6475569

TIA, barn

[mrhappy]

They're usually switched around to gain a bit of distance (one way or the other)... to help with intonation.

[PastorPaul]

They're usually switched around to gain a bit of distance (one way or the other)... to help with intonation.

Yes. T-O-M bridges are designed for the saddles to face one way, but occasionally a guitar can't be intonated properly because of the length of travel. Flipping the saddle can add just enough extra to set the guitar up properly. But it's usually not just 'flip 'n play' because the reversed saddle slot angle may play cause string breakage and affect the tone. Refiling may be called for.