In the April ’21 issue of the Strad Magazine I published the article “The height of perfection” where I explained the use of the Raised Saddle Calculator. You can read the full article here (link).
Learn how to use the calculator reading the INSTRUCTIONS >>
How to use the Raised Saddle Calculator
- First of all fill in your reference pitch in the table. This is the pitch at which you’re used to play, conventionally 440Hz, but you might be used to play at 442 or, as a baroque player, something lower than 440.
- Then gradually tune your instrument down and find the pitch at which the instrument works best by playing at each step. This can easily be done using a chromatic tuner that allows pitch calibration. Simply lower the reference pitch on your tuner and tune your instrument normally. Once you’ve found the pitch where the bass responds best fill in the new pitch in the table.
- Measure the string break angle at the bridge. Measure the highest string on the bridge.
- Take the other measurements required to complete the table. With a bridge that stands well straight it’s ok to measure from the back side of the bridge to the crown of the saddle. Great precision is not really crucial here. Be careful to take the elevation measurements of the belly and the saddle without the edge thickness. Measure from above the edge!
- The result will tell you how much the original saddle should be raised.