Blind Saddle
Blind Saddle
Most steel string guitars are made with a "blind" saddle. That means the saddle sits in a groove that is routed in the bridge, leaving solid wood at both ends for extra support:
This type of bridge is easily adapted to the modern piezo electric pickup sensing unit that fits just below the saddle.
Here's the older style "through" saddle:
This saddle needs to be glued in place to be as strong as the blind saddle, and is not suitable for some pickup installations.