Guitar String Breakage #1: How To File Your String Saddles

By thehipcola on Sunday, January 21st, 2007

Breaking strings got you down? Read on to see how I took care of business.

Things work out in a funny way sometimes, and although my original plan to have work done to my Epiphone Dot fell through, it provided me with the impetus needed to just go ahead and do this myself. The great news is that it saved me about $140 in service and rental fees and a 2 week turnaround. I’ve got about 1 hour invested into it so far, and probably another 30 minutes to finish up my intonation before I’m thoroughly done. Can’t complain about that!

Here’s the deal: my strings were all breaking right at the saddles on my Epiphone Dot. It seemed obvious to me that what was needed was a filing of the saddles, or a replacement set. Always looking to learn new skills, and with a solid backup plan like replacement in place, I jumped in file and camera ready to go.

Set up a table covered by a towel or a comforter/blanket. It is SO much easier and efficient to do any tech work on a surface you can walk around and have enough space to lay out your tools and parts on. The blanket helps to ensure the only scratches and dings that are on your guitar when your done are the ones that were there before you started.
Assemble your tools and parts. I used a #3 needle file and some 320 grit sandpaper, plus your regular assortment of re-stringing tools.
I’d recommend removing 1 string, filing the saddle, and replacing said string as a procedure. This minimizes stress on the neck from taking all the strings off at the same time.
As you can see via the enlarged photos, there was definitely some kind of nasty business happening in the saddle…something I found in each of the saddles to a certain degree. Nicely, they all had more or less the same markings and rough surface, with the exception of my G string, which happens to be the string O plenty in my string box…I rarely change that one due to breakage, and so I have loads of spares. Very nice, we’re on the right track!
Beginning with the file to gently smooth the groove and all the edges front, rear and sides for the saddle, I finished by using the sandpaper folded over to remove any roughness left by using a file. Smooth is the word here. Careful not to over-file the saddle resulting in a significantly deeper trough/groove, or a dramatically wider slot. Strings cross the saddle and that acts as a termination point for the string, something you don’t want to elongate too much if it can be helped. A great tip from Des at Hometracked.com is to use graphite of a pencil tip to coat/lubricate the saddle, reducing friction on the string.
Repeat for each saddle. I couldn’t get my smallest file in any of the G, B, or E saddles, so I used only the sandpaper with much the same result.
Done!Â I had thought there was some kind of secret technique or something, but really it’s just common sense.Â Remove the rough, and your strings will thank you.