CPG
Well-known member
Hey all,
I wasn't sure if I should post this here in the general discussion board, tech support, or luthiers lounge so I just decided to post it here.
Last week I ordered a Cordoba 35t-ce. Without going into specifics I'll just say I got it at a pretty substantial discount from a reverb/ebay seller that seems reputable. While this dealer does setup all there instruments I bought this knowing it would not be an HMS or Mim setup but thinking that it would be overall a decent setup by guitar folks (as opposed to uke specialists). Based on the price I paid I also figured that it was likely a factory 2nd or returned item of some kind and might have a cosmetic issue or two.
The uke arrived earlier this week and for the most part seems as expected. The setup is fine. Sure, it's not the lowest action ever but I don't always like crazy low action anyway. It was clearly setup by guitar folks as they added a slope to the saddle with the action being slightly higher at the G than the A. Again, not that surprising and since I'll be keeping this uke setup with a low G totally fine be me. It was also clear and encouraging that they took some time to do some work on the bridge. I can smell the solvents still from whatever wax or finish they added and there is some white residue left on it (that wipes off) from wet sanding.
All in all I am happy with the setup, however, there is one aspect of this uke that was immediately of great concern to me, which can seen in the attached photo. If you look at the saddle groove from the G side there is a clear angled gap to the base of groove. I initially assumed this was some kind of overlooked CNC malfunction, but when I removed the saddle I saw that the little triangle gap is only at the very end of the G side of the groove and starts just after the piezo wire ends. Furthermore I noted the the saddle beds nicely from the A side all the way across the pickup and onto little tip of material left on the G side. I have tested the Uke plugged in and the pickup has even tone and volume across all the strings (at least to my unrefined ear). The uke sounds good both plugged in and unplugged. While it is not quite as loud as my cedar top kala it has a nice full tone, good sustain, and a resonance you can feel. I must say I quite like it.
So I guess my question is two fold.
1. At the risk of sound naive is it possible that this little triangle gap is intentional. In woodworking it is not uncommon to at times undercut some areas of joinery to get more easily create contact with other areas, so I got to thinking that this undercut might be intentional to help the saddle bed on the pickup better. I've never had a uke with a pickup so if this is not abnormal I would not know. Has anyone here ever seen this done intentionally?
2. If it is not intentional and is indeed just flaw as I initially thought, does it objectively matter (subjectively is another can of worms)? I almost sent this thing back right away when I saw the gap, as I am aware of the importance of the saddle having good contact with the bridge and in this case the pickup. That said, after testing it out and also seeing that the saddle beds solidly everywhere else, I'm not convinced this little gap has any negative impact. More and more I'm feeling that something I initially thought was a fatal flaw really is just cosmetic.
Any insights would be much appreciated.
Thanks very much!
I wasn't sure if I should post this here in the general discussion board, tech support, or luthiers lounge so I just decided to post it here.
Last week I ordered a Cordoba 35t-ce. Without going into specifics I'll just say I got it at a pretty substantial discount from a reverb/ebay seller that seems reputable. While this dealer does setup all there instruments I bought this knowing it would not be an HMS or Mim setup but thinking that it would be overall a decent setup by guitar folks (as opposed to uke specialists). Based on the price I paid I also figured that it was likely a factory 2nd or returned item of some kind and might have a cosmetic issue or two.
The uke arrived earlier this week and for the most part seems as expected. The setup is fine. Sure, it's not the lowest action ever but I don't always like crazy low action anyway. It was clearly setup by guitar folks as they added a slope to the saddle with the action being slightly higher at the G than the A. Again, not that surprising and since I'll be keeping this uke setup with a low G totally fine be me. It was also clear and encouraging that they took some time to do some work on the bridge. I can smell the solvents still from whatever wax or finish they added and there is some white residue left on it (that wipes off) from wet sanding.
All in all I am happy with the setup, however, there is one aspect of this uke that was immediately of great concern to me, which can seen in the attached photo. If you look at the saddle groove from the G side there is a clear angled gap to the base of groove. I initially assumed this was some kind of overlooked CNC malfunction, but when I removed the saddle I saw that the little triangle gap is only at the very end of the G side of the groove and starts just after the piezo wire ends. Furthermore I noted the the saddle beds nicely from the A side all the way across the pickup and onto little tip of material left on the G side. I have tested the Uke plugged in and the pickup has even tone and volume across all the strings (at least to my unrefined ear). The uke sounds good both plugged in and unplugged. While it is not quite as loud as my cedar top kala it has a nice full tone, good sustain, and a resonance you can feel. I must say I quite like it.
So I guess my question is two fold.
1. At the risk of sound naive is it possible that this little triangle gap is intentional. In woodworking it is not uncommon to at times undercut some areas of joinery to get more easily create contact with other areas, so I got to thinking that this undercut might be intentional to help the saddle bed on the pickup better. I've never had a uke with a pickup so if this is not abnormal I would not know. Has anyone here ever seen this done intentionally?
2. If it is not intentional and is indeed just flaw as I initially thought, does it objectively matter (subjectively is another can of worms)? I almost sent this thing back right away when I saw the gap, as I am aware of the importance of the saddle having good contact with the bridge and in this case the pickup. That said, after testing it out and also seeing that the saddle beds solidly everywhere else, I'm not convinced this little gap has any negative impact. More and more I'm feeling that something I initially thought was a fatal flaw really is just cosmetic.
Any insights would be much appreciated.
Thanks very much!
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