Strat saddles: follow the neck radius or stairstep?

[JGale]

Try for a smooth curve or little steps?

[Victor (Fret Friend)]

I always follow the raidius to start then I lower each string from top e to A. I always have my unwound/thinner strings closer to the first fret so I tend to gradiate down once the low E is set. As a rule I set my low E to 0.25mm above the first fret and the high e to 0.15mm above the first fret. You can gl lower but they are heights that work well and nothing plays sharp when fretted...

[Jeff R]

Check this link out ... https://www.stewmac.com/video-and-ideas/online-resources/neck-building-and-repair-and-setup/how-the-stars-set-up-their-guitars/

Mix and match to taste!

[cynic]

I'm just a schmo, but I generally try to match the radius of the board.  If it's a compound radius I try to extrapolate what it would be if continued to the bridge and then fudge that towards being less flat than it should be but more flat than at the highest fret.

I don't worry too much about the attitude of the individual saddles until I have the radius right, but my final step is to level them out so they're level/stepped rather than cocked to match the radius.  It comes more from a place of OCD than any particular know how.

[velorush]

Also a schmo, but back in the day (80's) on the 7 1/4" radius Strats I used to follow the radius but then on the smaller strings flatten it out a bit to prevent fretting out on bends.  Got that from some setup article in Guitar Player or Practicing Musician or something.

[Dutchman]

I start with matching the radius. Then I adjust further down on each string till it chokes out, then raise it a quarter turn or so. Just to the point of not choking out on bends or buzzing. Your guitar strings are set as low as they can go. It's important to have the neck adjusted correctly before doing this. 

For someone that likes to fight the strings this would feel uncomfortable. I like to barely touch the strings. It's all a personal preference. Most call my guitar setups "Butter" setup.  So that's what they ask for is the "Butter" setup!