Mastering Tune-O-Matic Bridge Individual String Height Adjustment
Every guitar enthusiast or hobbyist recognizes the Tune-O-Matic bridge as an integral part of their instrument. It is no coincidence that this bridge type is widely favored among guitar-builders and musicians alike, its seemingly simple structure playing a massive role in the intricate mechanics of producing distinct guitar sounds.
The incredibly influential role it plays, both in terms of playability and tonal quality, is something every aspiring guitar expert should familiarize themselves with. This includes understanding how to adjust individual string heights – a fine art that ensures optimum sound quality and playability. Moreover, recognizing and troubleshooting common issues can improve the bridge’s longevity and consistent guitar performance.
As you delve into this, remember that practical application goes hand in hand with theoretical knowledge. So roll up your sleeves and prepare to learn and practice the art of maintaining an efficient Tune-O-Matic bridge.
Table of Contents
Understanding of Tune-O-Matic Bridge
Understanding the Tune-O-Matic Bridge Structure
The Tune-O-Matic bridge, commonly found on Gibson guitars, comprises several critical components that work together to create the balance and harmony of your guitar’s sound. This structure includes the bridge, which holds the strings, two adjustable posts, and individual saddles for each of the six strings. Each saddle contains a string and adjusts its height and length.
The bridge is positioned on the body of the guitar, right where the strings end, and is held in place by the tension of the strings. The posts are screwed into the body and allow for overall height adjustment of the bridge. The saddles are movable parts that support each string and are adjusted to fine-tune the length of each string, thus controlling the guitar’s intonation.
Function and Importance of the Tune-O-Matic Bridge
The Tune-O-Matic bridge functions as the medium transmitting the strings’ vibrations to the guitar body. This role is critical, driving the guitar’s resonance and, by extension, the instrument’s overall tone.
The bridge’s ability to adjust each string’s height and length is one of the most significant selling points for the Tune-O-Matic bridge style. Its design allows for the proper adjustment of action (string height from the fretboard) and intonation (the pitch accuracy along the string length), contributing significantly to the guitar’s playability.
For example, a correctly adjusted bridge ensures the strings do not buzz against the frets when played and the guitar remains in tune throughout the fretboard. The strings’ height also affects how hard or soft the strings feel under the player’s fingers.
The Role of the Tune-O-Matic Bridge in Guitar Tone and Playability
The individual saddles on a Tune-O-Matic bridge are its standout feature. They allow for precise adjustments on a string-by-string basis, which plays a significant role in a guitar’s playability and tone.
By adjusting the height of individual strings, players can customize the action to be comfortable for their playing style. Higher action (strings further from the fretboard) often results in a fuller, more resonant tone but requires more force to press the strings to the frets. Lower action (strings closer to the fretboard) makes the strings easier to press but may result in a less resonant tone and potential buzzing if the strings are too close to the frets.
It’s essential to learn how to fine-tune these adjustments for optimal performance. To adjust the height of individual strings, you can use a small screwdriver to turn the relevant screw on the saddle. To raise the string, turn the screw clockwise; to lower it, turn counterclockwise. Make minor adjustments and then play the string, repeating as necessary until you’re satisfied with the height.
Remember, the Tune-O-Matic bridge allows for precise adjustments, so patience and small steps are crucial to maintaining the balance necessary for excellent guitar playability and tone.

String Height Adjustment 101
The Necessity of String Height Adjustment
String height adjustment, often referred to as action adjustment in the guitar world, is a crucial aspect of optimizing the playability of your guitar. If the strings are too high, playing the guitar might be tricky as it requires more pressure to press down the strings. On the other hand, if the strings are too low, they might rattle against the frets, causing a buzzing sound. Therefore, finding the perfect balance is critical to enriching the guitar’s sound and avoiding potential playing issues.
Understanding the Tune-O-Matic Bridge
At the heart of this adjustment lies the Tune-O-Matic bridge—a mechanism that consists of six individual saddles for each string, each of which can be adjusted up and down. This type of bridge is commonly found on Gibson guitars and other models. It is attached to the guitar body and holds the strings in place, contributing to the instrument’s overall intonation and tone.
Preparation before String Height Adjustment
Before starting the string height adjustment process, it’s essential to ensure the guitar is in its standard playing position—tuned to the concert pitch. The neck relief and the nut height should also be set correctly. Start with the sixth or fattest string (E).
Adjusting Individual String Heights
Using a ruler, measure the distance from the top of the 12th fret to the bottom of the string. As a general guideline, the distance for the low E string should be approximately 2mm. For the high E string, it should be around 1.6mm.
If the height isn’t within this range, use a flat-head screwdriver to adjust the screw located at the ends of the bridge. Turning the screw clockwise will lower the string, and counterclockwise will raise it. Be sure to turn the screw very slowly, taking measurements after each slight adjustment until the desired height is achieved.
Repeat for Each String
Once the string height for the low E string has been established, repeat the process for the rest. Remember, the height for each string might not be the same because the neck of the guitar is curved. Therefore, the strings’ height should mirror this curve, with the strings being higher towards the middle and lower towards the ends.
Re-tune and Test
After you’ve adjusted the heights for all strings, re-tune the guitar and test it out. Play each string open and at each fret to see if there is any buzzing. If buzz persists on a string, raise the height a fraction and test again.
Height adjustment may initially seem daunting, but you can significantly improve your guitar’s sound and playability with patience and practice.

Troubleshooting Common Issues
Identifying Common Tune-O-Matic Bridge Issues
A tune-o-matic bridge provides excellent sustain and accurate intonation, but its adjustment can be a fiddly process. A problem often encountered by guitar enthusiasts is buzzing strings. This usually happens when the string height is set too low. It’s a recognizable sound and could be compared to a bee’s buzz. To remedy this, slowly raise the individual strings until the buzzing stops. Remember to strum the string after every adjustment to see if the buzzing has stopped.
Another common problem many encounter is improper intonation, resulting in the guitar sounding out of tune even when recently tuned. This could be due to the individual bridge saddles not being in their correct positions. You must adjust the saddle forward or backward using a screwdriver to fix this. Moving the saddle forward (towards the headstock) will flatten the note, while shifting it back (towards the tailpiece) will sharpen the tit. Check the intonation with a tuner after each adjustment until it’s perfect.
Maintaining Optimal String Height
Maintaining optimal string height or ‘action’ over time is essential for player comfort and accurate intonation.
To keep the action consistent, regularly check the string height. Use a string action gauge or a ruler to make the measurements. The ideal height is often debated among players, but generally, it should be set so that you feel comfortable playing. However, the typical action for a low E string is around 2mm, and for a high E string is about 1.5mm. This measurement is taken from the top of the fret to the bottom of the string.
Avoid making abrupt, excessive adjustments. Instead, opt for gradual changes to the string height. Fine-tune one string, play it for a while, and see how it feels.
Preventing Common Issues
To avoid common issues with the tune-o-matic bridge, always choose the strings before making any adjustments. Making adjustments with the strings under tension can strip the screw threads.
Another preventative measure is to ensure that the strings are stretched correctly. New strings always seem out of tune, mainly because they haven’t been stretched out properly.
Ensure your guitar is in otherwise good condition: ensure the frets are level, the truss rod is adjusted correctly, and the nut slots are cut to the correct depth. These issues can also affect string height and cause similar problems, as mentioned before.
Ultimately, remember the goal with string height is to find a balance that allows for comfortable playability without sacrificing good tone or causing string buzz. Experiment with different setups until you find one that suits your style and preferences.

Practice
Understanding the Tune-o-matic Bridge
The tune-o-matic bridge is a prime feature in many guitars, including the Gibson Les Paul and Epiphone models. It contributes significantly to the guitar’s tone and playability. The primary function of the bridge is to transfer the string’s vibration to the guitar body and allow individual string height adjustments. These adjustments or “actions influence the ease or difficulty of playing the guitar and the sound quality produced.
Tools Needed
To begin your tune-o-matic bridge tuning, your toolbox should include a Philips-head screwdriver, a small flat-head screwdriver, and a set of feeler gauges. Although not compulsory, a ruler can be handy in measuring string height.
Setting the Stage
Before starting the tuning process, ensure that the guitar neck is straight. A warped or bowed neck can lead to incorrect string height measurements. The guitar should also be fully strung and roughly in tune. You’ll also want to have your ideal playing position in mind, as the bridge tuning should cater to this. Remember, also space out your adjustments, allowing the strings time to adjust to the tension changes.
Adjusting Individual String Height
Observing from the side profile of the guitar, locate the tune-o-matic bridge’s thumbwheels, one on each end of the bridge. These small wheels are responsible for general height adjustments. For individual string adjustments, you’ll need to locate the screw poles which the thumbwheels thread. Each screw pole corresponds to a particular string.
Using your Philips-head screwdriver, rotate the screw pole either clockwise or anticlockwise to raise or lower the respective string. The key is to make slow, incremental adjustments while continuously testing the string for changes in action (how high or low the strings are from the fretboard) and intonation.
Ensuring Accurate Intonation
With all strings at their proper height and comfortable action, the next step is to check the guitar’s intonation. The guitar’s intonation is the accuracy of the pitch at each fret position. If not set accurately, your notes will sound out of tune as you ascend or descend the fretboard.
To ensure accurate intonation, play an open string and the exact string fretted at the 12th fret (an octave higher). The two pitches should match. If the fretted note is sharp (higher), adjust the corresponding screw at the back of the bridge to lengthen the string. If it’s flat (lower), shorten the string.
Final Checks
Once all the strings have been individually set for height and intonation, check the guitar’s overall comfort, playability, and sound quality. Your final setting should balance all these elements to get the optimal setup for your guitar. Remember that this is a learning process and may take several tries to get it right. Adjusting a tune-o-matic bridge will contribute significantly to your overall feel and sound.

A meticulous understanding of the Tune-O-Matic bridge and the way it functions is a powerful tool for any guitar hobbyist or enthusiast. Mastering the skill of adjusting individual string heights is not just about improving sound and playability – it’s a commitment to ensuring that your instrument constantly operates at its highest potential.
The knowledge acquired about troubleshooting common issues contributes to a more holistic understanding of your instrument. May this newfound understanding, combined with hands-on practice, empower you to continuously elevate your guitar’s performance, maintain your Tune-O-Matic bridge, and firmly establish your position as a skilled guitar enthusiast.
Remember, learning never stops; every chord struck is an opportunity to refine your skill. May your journey with the guitar be as harmonious as the melodies it produces!
This article states: “For individual string adjustments, you’ll need to locate the screw poles which the thumbwheels thread. Each screw pole corresponds to a particular string.”
This information is completely bogus. Standard tuneomatic bridges do not have individual string height adjustment.