Is your Guitars Bridge on Backwards? The Truth About Import Bridge Styles

Is your Guitar's Bridge on Backwards? The Truth About Import Guitars and the Tune-O-Matic Bridge.

Figuring out why my WestCreek guitars wouldn't intonate properly led me down a rabbit hole of the different types of Tune-O-Matic bridges.

I believe the bridge is installed backwards.

Will changing it fix my intonation problem?

[timmackenzie]

I’m about to order a west creek and a firefly
Edit: It’s been a coupla weeks since I left the comment, I now have both the Westcreek and the Firefly. Love em both!! Cheers 🍻

[stellarnourishment]

Thank you! You saved me a lot of trouble. Someone pointed out that my tune-o-matic bridge was installed backwards on my D'angelico. Figured that the screws should face away from the pickups but checked the saddle slots and it's on correctly. Makes it harder to adjust intonation so I wish it was backwards lol!

[jaykarimi]

I just ordered a Revenge just like yours & you are a godsend. GREAT video. Thank you!!

[dmbar]

Wow. That answers a question I have had for a long time.

[yanikem]

Fantastic! Thanks for the advice! Subscribed!

[toddr]

Great information! Thanks for posting this very informative video!!
This is especially timely for me, as I am going to be setting up my new Indio LP style guitar either today or tomorrow! (Depends on when UPS shows up with the last part I need...) Thanks again! 🤘🎸

[TheGospelGuitarist]

You can switch the saddles around so you get easier screw access and no interferance with the strings. I seen a video where the manufacturer installed the saddles backwards, like in the case here. But another purchase had them correctly installed, same company! Strings should not be interfered with by the screw heads. You can raise the tail piece to avoid this as well if you need to.

[keithhampton]

I have a Leo Jaymez SG .It had the same wire type import bridge.I put a roller type bridge on it.Totall fixed🥰

[CMFL]

YO! Thank you! This explains trouble I've had with a couple of my guitars. GREAT INFORMATION!

[TheRealFrankWizza]

I'll say, on my helios that I received within the last week, this is fixed. Screws facing the pickups, and with the correct saddle placement. It also came intonnated reasonably well. To me it means they are acting on feedback. For what it cost, I can't complain.

[mooreoutdoor]

Thank you so much! I have the Revenge and I knew the D did not intonate correctly. I figured it was just cheap and I needed to upgrade the bridge.

[tedrowland]

I spent about 2 hours re-doing a saddle on a Chinese, left hand import, trying to fix the intonation. Same problem: The D string. I finally got it, but there was no room for any further travel.

[GRBAquatics]

Very Cool, Interesting, Entertaining Video, Thankyou. I got lucky looks like all my "Nashville" style Bridges appear to be fitted correctly, But learned alot. All the best. Cheers

[birdman]

sweet fix bro!
that "explorer" style guitar is sweeet!

[sparrowhawk]

Personally I just want tune o matic bridges to go away. Yes I know, a bunch of you love them. I get it. It feels neat on your palm, it looks nice...whatever. They're an old design. Too tall, can't adjust saddle height individually, etc.

[AdamWellsMusic]

This is exactly what I was looking for! Everything in one straight forward video. 🎉

[rayneman]

Could have just flipped the d saddle around.

[hkguitar]

If your bridge saddle doesn't have enough travel to intonate the guitar I'd think the problem is with the guitar's Nut Slot(s) not being correctly cut.
And of course you are checking intonation with new strings, yes?
Also, ABR-1 equipped older guitars that run out of saddle travel can sometimes be corrected by flipping the saddle.

[-eye-willy]

that harmny neck in the background is hurtiing your credibility lol😊

[NegdoshaManido]

Thanks for this video! I just ordered a West Creek Revenge, and now I will be able to intonate it!! Rock on, brother!