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Post by resolive on Jan 12, 2018 16:09:34 GMT
So I've been really enjoying my time learning how to play slide on my reso. :-) Slowing making some progress! I'm starting to wonder if the action at my first fret is not too low though, because sometimes it's kind of tough to play around the 1st-3rd fret without feeling like I hit the neck or frets. I just measured it and it's .017" at the low string and .010" at the high string. Which seems really low... should I shim the nut a little? What's ideal? 1/32" maybe? I guess it depends on people's touch but I suppose when learning / starting out, setting it higher make things a little easier... and as you get better with your touch you can eventually handle lower action...
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Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2018 16:53:27 GMT
What gauge strings are you using?
Maybe beef them up a bit if they're quite light.
TT
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Post by slide496 on Jan 12, 2018 17:09:03 GMT
This is not a permanent solution, might effect tone, but maybe another idea if you want to check to see if it makes any difference and how it effects the pressed down notes, you could take a pieces of paper fold them a couple of times and slip them individually in the slots. I've done that and left it for a while to see how much I wanted to adjust and then I either shimmed the nut slightly or filled in and filed down individual slots. It took me a good while before I could play more than the first string cleanly and am still learning...
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Post by resolive on Jan 12, 2018 17:47:09 GMT
What gauge strings are you using? Maybe beef them up a bit if they're quite light. TT 16-56. :-) I'm thinking of ordering a new nut from Stew Mac... |
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Post by Michael Messer on Jan 12, 2018 17:58:30 GMT
Hi Resolive
There is no optimum height, it is what feels right for you. On my own guitars I like a very low action on the first three frets and a very high action at the 12th. It works for me.
Resonator guitar strings gauged as 16/56 sets, are not designed for low open tunings on round neck guitars. They are made for high bass G tuning (GBDGBD) on a square neck guitar. The balance is not right. If you like a 16 on the top, you should go down to a 59, not a 56. So a set should be ... 16 18 27 39 49 59. Or if you want to keep the 56 on the bottom, your gauges should be.... 15 17 26 36 46 56.
I hope that is helpful
Shine On
Michael
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Post by resolive on Jan 12, 2018 18:36:34 GMT
I guess it's all a matter of experience and how light your touch is... mine isn't there yet. :-P
I had no idea that the 16-56 set wasn't right... for now I think I should probably stick with higher gauges. Looks like neither are very common (as in not all major guitar string makers offer these), right? I mean 16-59 or 15-56?
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Post by resolive on Jan 12, 2018 18:41:00 GMT
Here is what's recommended by Frank at Republic Guitars (which is what I have):
On a round neck guitar you can go up to 16-58 only if you are using dropped tunings like G or D. 13-56 are best for a combination of finger style and bottleneck slide playing in standard tuning and dropped tunings. You can use the 13-56 for E and A raised tunings but it is best not to leave it in the E or A tuning for an extended period of time. If you use E or A tuning most of the time 12-54 are better. Never use 18-59 on a round neck guitar. If you are using the bluegrass raised G tuning 12-54 are best.
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Post by bonzo on Jan 12, 2018 19:03:47 GMT
Hi Resolive,I use MM'S 15'S on most of my guitars Republics included.
Exceptions are square necks and tricones.
I've never had problems, but do allow a day or so for them to settle in.
Do that before you start tweaking IMHO!
I don't know if MM's are easily available to you, but are easily ordered from Newtone strings.
Best wishes to you all, John
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Post by resolive on Jan 12, 2018 20:08:22 GMT
OK, I ordered a set. How did I go from asking about string action to buying a new set of strings?! :-D For those of you who are in the US, where do you get them from BTW? I ordered through juststrings.com and it came up to $16 which is kind of pricy for strings. Hopefully they last a long time. :-P
Back to the action bit: I may just put a little bit of glue in the top two nut slots to fill them back up a little... when you look at it closely the top two strings seem to go quite a bit below the other strings...
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Post by Michael Messer on Jan 12, 2018 21:30:31 GMT
I really was trying not to mention MM Strings! ....it is cheaper and preferable to buy direct from Newtone. That is what Neil Silverman is now trying to push. On the Newtone website is a list of North American dealers, and some shops that sell MM strings  I would not recommend following those string gauge guidelines. Shine On Michael. |
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Post by bonzo on Jan 12, 2018 21:34:32 GMT
I've done the nut thing,it does work.
I think you will be surprised at the difference the MM strings make. I order directly from Newtone strings, good service I have found. DON'T trim the strings until you have wound them up to pitch, they may unravel!
A bit at a time!
Best wishes, John
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Post by slide496 on Jan 12, 2018 21:40:48 GMT
OK, I ordered a set. How did I go from asking about string action to buying a new set of strings?! :-D For those of you who are in the US, where do you get them from BTW? I ordered through juststrings.com and it came up to $16 which is kind of pricy for strings. Hopefully they last a long time. :-P Back to the action bit: I may just put a little bit of glue in the top two nut slots to fill them back up a little... when you look at it closely the top two strings seem to go quite a bit below the other strings... Same but I order a bunch or with other guitar strings - so far as I know they are the main carriers of the strings USA Per Bonzo's reminder- it will say on the package... www.newtonestrings.com/do-not-cut-newtone-strings/ |
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Post by resolive on Jan 14, 2018 0:25:18 GMT
Thanks so much for the heads up! I'm still struggling with changing strings on a slotted headstock, I suck at it. :-P But I usually trim them first so I'm glad you pointed this out, thank you.
I ended up filling the top 3 nut slots last night (I didn't have any super glue so I used some Bondix, it's a bit like super glue except it doesn't harden until you shine a special UV led on it, which is a bit more practical...) and I filed them this morning, it's MUCH better...
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Post by pete1951 on Jan 14, 2018 11:25:21 GMT
Hi Resolive There is no optimum height, it is what feels right for you. On my own guitars I like a very low action on the first three frets and a very high action at the 12th. It works for me. Shine On Michael Yes, MM is right to say 'what feels right for you ' is right. However, I would say there is an 'optimum' height, which is (string above f/board)the same height as the first fret. This gives the best action and least tuning problems on low frets BUT it means a more delicate touch is needed near the nut.(when using a slide) |
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Post by resolive on Jan 25, 2018 2:08:17 GMT
So I had to cancel my order of Newtone MM 15s strings (through juststrings) because apparently they don't have any right now and it'll take a few weeks... anyone knows where I can order these from here in the US? Thanks!
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