Martin Tenor guitar saddle removal

[Phil Goodson]

I've got a '53 Martin 5-15T tenor guitar that has a 'through cut' saddle that I would like to lower a bit. It seems in the slot tight enough that I can't budge it with my fingers, but I don't want to ruin the saddle. (Tuned GDAE - so mandolin content)

Any good advice for the safest way to remove the saddle?

[fox]

Can you post a picture?

[CarlM]

Here is Frank Fords article from Frets.com on through cut saddles. The bad news is that he says they were glued in and usually you destroy the saddle removing them.

http://www.frets.com/FretsPages/Luth...hrusaddle.html

[rcc56]

Yes, often these are glued in. This may be a job for someone who has experience with these. If you don't know what you're doing, you can break not only the saddle, but the bridge also.

The only option for a novice is to make a cardboard guard that fits around the bridge and file the saddle down without removing it. You have to be careful, though, or you'll chew up the bridge.

I recommend that you take it to a luthier. He still may have to replace the saddle, though.

[pops1]

I have removed a few of these using heat, but you run the risk of loosening the bridge too. I will use a fret crowing file to lower the saddle which leaves its rounded nicely at the same time and is fairly safe for lowering. It takes a while, work slow and be careful.

[fox]

I agree with Pops, you might not need to removing the saddle just lower the top of it in place?

[Greg Mirken]

There is, indeed, no reason to remove the saddle. If you take material from the bottom, you will also shorten the saddle a bit, and it will no longer fill the full slot.
You should first determine that the nut height is correct, and that the relief and neck set are good. [Changes can happen to a guitar over 65 years.]
If you file the top of the saddle just until the rounded part is flat, you will take off about 1/32". That would lower the action at the 12th fret by 1/64". You can't get into too much trouble with that approach. However much you want to lower the action @ 12, you need to remove twice that from the saddle. You will need to re-crown the top of the saddle.

[Phil Goodson]

....often these are glued in. ..... .

I was afraid you'd say that.

.... use a fret crowing file to lower the saddle .....

Sounds like it might be a very careful plan,... on a good day. Action needs to come down about 2/64" , so that means 4/64" off the saddle. There's about twice that showing at the 4th string. Hope it doesn't create a buzz problem. Something to think about.
Thanks everybody.

[fox]

If you have the tools, you could cut slots in the saddle.