Bridge height?

[cbowen4]

I'm working on building a 12 string with Bass Bottom tuning. I've fabricated a 12 string bridge with 0.300 string spacing and 0.380 group spacing. I'm using 3/16" stainless steel rod for frets on a Padauk neck and I'm going with a zero fret. I'm trying to determine just how far inset the bridge needs to be. I have 0.150" of string height adjustment range. What I would like to know is how high the strings should be at the bridge relative to the surface of the fretboard. I've considered mocking up a prototype or just leaving it high initially (you can always remove more wood; it's harder to put it back), but would like some suggestions. Scale length is 34". Of course, the bass strings will be higher, but how high would I normally expect the highest and lowest strings to be?

Thanks,
Charles

[rjgoos]

I really don't know the answer to your bridge question, but I am very impressed that there is another home builder among us!!!

Ideally, at fret 12, the gap between the string and fret should be about the thickness of a U.S. quarter for the heavier strings, about the thickness of a dime for the lighter strings. How that relates to your 0.150" of string adjustment range, I'm not sure.

Where does one get Paduak wood?


Jay

[cbowen4]

Originally posted by rjgoos
Ideally, at fret 12, the gap between the string and fret should be about the thickness of a U.S. quarter for the heavier strings, about the thickness of a dime for the lighter strings. How that relates to your 0.150" of string adjustment range, I'm not sure.

Where does one get Paduak wood?

Jay

Thanks, Jay, this was exactly what I needed. Some coins and a micrometer and I'm good to go!

We have a lumber store in our area that has extensive stocks of exotic lumber. I bought a 2" by 4" by 100" piece of quarter sawn Padauk from them for about $40.

Charles

[BrendaEM]

Please be careful with Paduak, a lot of people are allergic to it.