Compensated saddle

[calvoi]

Has anyone installed a compensated saddle on one of their resonators?

Along the lines of a thicker saddle that could be filed like a compensated saddle for acoustic guitar, I think I've seen some pictures of a extra piece of wood glued on to the saddle at the 3rd fret to intonate the wound 3rd properly. Also there is this compensated T bridge LINK

Interested to hear peoples experience. 

[Pickers Ditch]

I haven't, but I use a bottleneck / slide which allows you to subconciously adjust intonation instantly.

... and the verb is to intone not to intonate.

[Deleted]

I know some will say there's no need to compensate, and I won't argue with that. I do though, and I've cut compensated saddles for all my resos, as I prefer intonation to be as close to perfect as I can get it.
TT
edit: the product on the link is created by forum member Tark. I am aware that there have been differences of opinion on it, and whilst I personally think it is excessive for my needs, it is a still a decent bit of engineering that may suit some.
TT

[calvoi]

Pickers Ditch, I'd like to play fretted songs too so would also like to get close to good intonation. I understand with a slide you can adjust with position. Also since intonation issues usually occur with extra tension by fretting the strings I believe this is also less relavent with a slide too.

Duece, how do you compensate your saddles, do you just file slots so that string touch back or front of saddle or do you add in extra pieces of wood?

Interested to hear Tark's opinion on his adjustable T bridge.

[Deleted]

As you said, thicker bit of wood, filing the front or back of each slot to taste. I also have to file the bottom so it fits in the bridge too of course.
TT

[Michael Messer]

I could name many great musicians over the past 90 years that use resonator guitars without compensated bridge saddles. For starters...Blind Boy Fuller, Oscar Aleman, Chet Atkins. None of them played slide, apart from the occasional tune.

This may be a contentious issue and arguable comment, but if you are getting these kind of worries before buying an expensive handmade resonator guitar, you should think very carefully before buying. They are what they are and thousands of great musicians have played them since the 1920s.

Only trying to be helpful.

Shine On
Michael

[calvoi]

Hi Michael,

I understand how you came to this conclusion however this wasn't really something I was worrying about with regards to expensive handmade guitars. However I was actually more academically interested. I stumbled across the T-bridge and it got me thinking about how important compensation is. I created a thread because I was interested to hear what other people did more so than actually planning to alter a expensive guitar.

As you say over 90 years many great have played without a compensated saddle.

All the best
Calvoi