Acoustic Advice

[MikeStrat]

If I want to lower the action on my Taylor, can I take the bridge out and sand the bottom down without messing up the intonation? I did this on my previous Taylor but that one was a whole lot less expensive than my new one so I didn't really care. I would hate to take it to a luthier to have him to the same thing I can do myself.

[hippietim]

i assume by "take the bridge out" you mean the saddle. if so, then that should work just fine. i've done that to a number of guitars. if you screw up the saddle, taylor sells replacements directly:

https://www.taylorguitars.com/taylorware/Item.aspx?itemid=1039&categoryid=1004&page=2

[MikeStrat]

I did mean the saddle. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't doing something I shouldn't. Thanks.

[mm2002]

can I take the bridge out and sand the bottom down without messing up the intonation?

Yep, that's pretty much how you set up the action on any acoustic. If you sand off too much, don't be afraid to shim it back up a bit with some small strips if tin foil. Or you could do like the rich kids (hippieboy) and just buy a new saddle.:ROTF:

[Strat God]

Why don't you buy a new saddle blank and sand it to your liking, while leaving the original alone?
If you sand it down too far and need to shim it you will lose valuable tone with shims- they rob sustain too.
You may also try different materials- fossilized walrus tusk is popular as well as ivory- the only issue with those over bone or synthetic is the hardness fluctuates across the saddle - sometimes creating 'flat' spots with less sustain. Also you should consider pin replacement- makes a difference in tone when you get away from plastic pins.

[MikeStrat]

Or you could do like the rich kids (hippieboy) and just buy a new saddle.:ROTF:

Well it is a brand new 814ce paid with petty cash for the week.

But I guess that would mean I can't really play.

[hippietim]

Hey Mark, when I want to hear your crap I'll swing by your refrigerator box.