I’ve never been a huge fan of 12 strings, but perhaps that’s just because I don’t have the playing skills to be able to play them properly?  Anyway all the owner wanted was a bit of a clean-up and service and a little look at the piezoelectric pickup.  When plugged in the volume was fine on the bass E and A strings but the D, G, B and E strings were very quiet?

I took the strings off and pulled out the bridge saddle and there’s the problem….

The bottom isn’t square so the treble side wasn’t sitting on the pickup.  Since it’s also rather thin, I suspect someone has lowered the action and just filed the saddle badly.  If I re-file it to make it flat it’ll be too thin; I could add a shim but I prefer to do it properly and make a new one, which is what I did…

Mine is the one on top.

Making sure that my grinding wheel is square!

And there it is in place..

While it was apart as ever it got a good clean…

 

Sounds and plays nicely now….

A few words from the owner:

“What a fantastic job! The guitar sounds better than it ever did. I am extremely pleased with the work you have done – thank you!”