Thanks for all the help guys. I am picking up new strings tonight and am very comfortable now, attacking this last (I hope!...) issue with much knowledge from your experience and a good, solid plan. I will let you know how it all works out.
Sincerely,
Rich
bridge height, saddle height, neck angle and action...
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justrfb
- Posts: 217
- Joined: Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:17 am
- Location: North Jersey
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tippie53
- Posts: 7141
- Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:09 pm
- Location: Hegins, Pa
- Contact:
Re: bridge height, saddle height, neck angle and action...
we are always glad to help
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
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Tom West
- Posts: 184
- Joined: Fri Sep 10, 2010 9:22 pm
Re: bridge height, saddle height, neck angle and action...
Guess I'm not getting this. Bridge .375" thick plus saddle at .078" equals string height at .453" above the top. The action at the 12th fret is about .140". About .100" would be much better. That means taking .080" off the saddle or a string height of .373" over the top at the bridge. Also what ever is lowered at the nut is cut in half at the 12th fret so I doubt that would improve things greatly unless things are really out of whack at the nut.I really think a rethink for neck reset is called for in this case. Can anyone point out where I'm off base here...................???
Tom
Tom
" A person who has never made a mistake has never made anything "
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tippie53
- Posts: 7141
- Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:09 pm
- Location: Hegins, Pa
- Contact:
Re: bridge height, saddle height, neck angle and action...
good point Tom
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
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justrfb
- Posts: 217
- Joined: Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:17 am
- Location: North Jersey
Re: bridge height, saddle height, neck angle and action...
Hello All.
Tom, thanks for offering your thoughts to get me back on track... I think the missing piece of the puzzle is this... When I measured the bridge height, it is from the guitar top to the top of the bridge. When I measured the saddle height, it was from the top of the bridge to the top of the saddle. The missing 4/64'ths or so is the height of the slot in the bridge, from the bottom of the bridge to the top of the saddle slot in the bridge. That is how my overall string height at the bridge is a 64'th or two from 1/2 inch.
Here is more to the story... This is the difference between me (a fledgling luthier wanna-be) and you guys, (TRUE luthiers). I went home and grabbed my feeler gauges. Slid out the .025 blade, put on my trusty 1.50 X's magnifying glasses and slid the blade under the Bass "e" string at the first fret and... I could have slid 3 .025 blades under the string at the first fret and still not hit the "e" string! I deepened the slot on the nut for the "e" string (went a little too far and had to use the "crazy glue and filings" method to fix it... Fledgling guitar guy, remember?...) and this brought the action at the 12'th fret for the "e" string to 7/64! I am in the ball park! As far as a neck reset, I am not worried about the actual reset and adjusting the neck, like you guys said, did it once already, be it off a little... But separating the very well glued in neck from the guitar body is what I am worried about... With my luck, I would wreck the guitar or at minimum, severely damage the instrument and then I think Annemarie and Willie would send me on my way!... I will keep you all posted on my progress and THANK YOU for all of your help and concern. You are all the best for helping new guys like me.
Sincerely,
Rich
Tom, thanks for offering your thoughts to get me back on track... I think the missing piece of the puzzle is this... When I measured the bridge height, it is from the guitar top to the top of the bridge. When I measured the saddle height, it was from the top of the bridge to the top of the saddle. The missing 4/64'ths or so is the height of the slot in the bridge, from the bottom of the bridge to the top of the saddle slot in the bridge. That is how my overall string height at the bridge is a 64'th or two from 1/2 inch.
Here is more to the story... This is the difference between me (a fledgling luthier wanna-be) and you guys, (TRUE luthiers). I went home and grabbed my feeler gauges. Slid out the .025 blade, put on my trusty 1.50 X's magnifying glasses and slid the blade under the Bass "e" string at the first fret and... I could have slid 3 .025 blades under the string at the first fret and still not hit the "e" string! I deepened the slot on the nut for the "e" string (went a little too far and had to use the "crazy glue and filings" method to fix it... Fledgling guitar guy, remember?...) and this brought the action at the 12'th fret for the "e" string to 7/64! I am in the ball park! As far as a neck reset, I am not worried about the actual reset and adjusting the neck, like you guys said, did it once already, be it off a little... But separating the very well glued in neck from the guitar body is what I am worried about... With my luck, I would wreck the guitar or at minimum, severely damage the instrument and then I think Annemarie and Willie would send me on my way!... I will keep you all posted on my progress and THANK YOU for all of your help and concern. You are all the best for helping new guys like me.
Sincerely,
Rich
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Tom West
- Posts: 184
- Joined: Fri Sep 10, 2010 9:22 pm
Re: bridge height, saddle height, neck angle and action...
Glad to hear it all worked out.
Tom
Tom
" A person who has never made a mistake has never made anything "
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justrfb
- Posts: 217
- Joined: Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:17 am
- Location: North Jersey
Re: bridge height, saddle height, neck angle and action...
Thanks Tim, John, Tom and all others for your help. I finally finished the guitar last night (we were in Lake George, NY for "Elvis Week" this past weekend...) and it is much better! I can't say perfect but very close. The actual saddle height (from top of bridge to top of saddle) is still less than ideal (1/8 is ideal, correct?...) and the action is at the max acceptable numbers. All in all, I am happy with the finished instrument and Willie is too. Can't wait to start number 2!...
Sincerely,
Rich
Sincerely,
Rich
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Ben-Had
- Posts: 1405
- Joined: Fri Sep 03, 2010 2:14 pm
- Location: Creedmoor, NC
Re: bridge height, saddle height, neck angle and action...
Rich, where are you from? I grew up in Glens Falls and spent a whole lot of time in Lake George. I vacation there just about every year.
Tim Benware
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justrfb
- Posts: 217
- Joined: Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:17 am
- Location: North Jersey
Re: bridge height, saddle height, neck angle and action...
Hey Tim... No way!... It is BEAUTIFUL up there. We vacation up there every year too. We have stayed in a few places but have been staying (and will continue to stay) at the Hill View Cottages. Dog friendly place (we have 2 Border Collies) and the owners there are great people. it is on Rt 9N, heading towards Bolton Landing. We actually bought a used pontoon boat this year and will be taking it with us when we go (we have 3 kids, Willie is the guitar player, 13 years, Mark, 18 years and Nicole, 20 years) the first full week in July.
My wife and I are born and bred Jersey. We have already decided, if we ever move and or retire (looong time off) it will be in Lake George. Thanks again Tim, for all of your help and maybe we will see you in Lake George some time...
Sincerely,
Rich
My wife and I are born and bred Jersey. We have already decided, if we ever move and or retire (looong time off) it will be in Lake George. Thanks again Tim, for all of your help and maybe we will see you in Lake George some time...
Sincerely,
Rich