How to Center a Guitar Bridge
The placement of the bridge on a guitar is a delicate process that can have a profound effect on the sound and aesthetic of the instrument. While the location of the bridge on a guitar will vary depending on the positioning of the neck, the 12th fret should sit an equal distance between the bridge and the nut. Using this rule, you can measure and determine the location of the bridge and center it accordingly.
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Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
- String
- Scissors
- Painter's tape
- Eraser
- Woodworking glue
Instructions
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1
Measure the distance between the 12th fret on the neck of the guitar and the point where the strings meet the nut on the small end of the neck.
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2
Measure the same distance between the 12th fret and the body, or the large end of the guitar. Mark the distance precisely with a pencil. This is where the bridge should be placed on the guitar.
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3
Measure the length of the nut that runs across the small end of the neck of the guitar, near the tuning pins. Place a mark at the half-way point of the nut with the pencil.
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4
Measure and cut a yard of string. Place one end of the string on the pencil mark half way across the nut and tape it down with a small piece of painter's tape.
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5
Pull the loose end of the string straight down so it creates a line through the center of the guitar neck and the guitar body. Mark a second position where the string meets the first pencil mark you made for the bridge placement. Rub the first pencil mark out with an eraser. You now have a position and a centre point for the guitar bridge.
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6
Measure the guitar bridge. Place a pencil mark on the side of the bridge at the half-way point.
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7
Apply woodworking glue to the bottom of the guitar bridge. Match the mark on the side of the guitar bridge to the pencil mark on the guitar body. Press down on the bridge with gentle to moderate pressure.
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References
- Photo Credit Polka Dot RF/Polka Dot/Getty Images
