Do-It-Yourself Nylon & Brass Saddles for Classical Guitars

Make classical guitar saddles from nylon or brass.

Saddles for classical guitars are not complicated. Of all the guitar styles, they are the most basic. The strings pass over the saddle, held in place by a small slot cut into the bridge. The strings are secured by pins inserted into the bridge. Classical guitar saddles are typically 1/16 inch in thickness, 1/4 inch in width and no more than 3 1/2 inches long. They can be crafted from almost any available material, including brass or nylon. The fabrication and installation of either material is exactly the same.

Things You'll Need

• Nylon comb
• Brass hinge
• Bench vise
• 100-grit sandpaper
• Hand block
• Screwdriver
• Black marker
• File
• Guitar strings

Instructions

1. Clamp a comb or the hinge in a vise. Use a hacksaw to cut a piece that measures 1/4 by 3 1/2 inches.

2. Sand and round the edges smooth with 100-grit sandpaper attached to a stiff hand block.

3. Place the guitar on its back. Place the saddle in the saddle slot but don't force it. Check to see how tight it is. If necessary, sand the saddle with the hand block to reduce its thickness. Check the fit. If still too tight, continue sanding and checking until you can tap the saddle down into the slot lightly with the handle of a small screwdriver.

4. Pull the saddle out of the guitar. Clamp it in the vise with the edge protruding up and out of the vise. Measure and make marks every half-inch with a black marker the length of the saddle. You should have six marks on the top of the saddle

5. Place the edge of a small file perpendicular at the first mark. Stroke one time forward, letting the file cut to a depth of 1/32 inch only. If you fail to cut that deep on the first stroke, use two strokes.

6. Place the saddle back in the saddle slot. Center it and put strings on the guitar. Each string should fit into one of the notches in the new saddle.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use any type of brass or nylon. Look for random pieces of nylon such as toys, packaging framework, tool handles etc. Brass can also come from any source; look for thin pieces that you don't have to work down too much.

• Make sure there are no sharp edges on the new saddle. Nylon strings can cut easily on sharp edges.