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Set up
Apr 27, 2018 13:21:51 GMT
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Post by tommyboy67 on Apr 27, 2018 13:21:51 GMT
I was looking for advice regarding getting my reso set up. I know nothing about setting up guitars so if this is an obvious question bear with me. I know the guitar is set for slide but I also really enjoy picking tunes on it but it kills my fretting hand especially barring chords. Has any anybody ever set up theirs up with leas tension and a lower action but still able to play slide.
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Set up
Apr 27, 2018 13:40:03 GMT
Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2018 13:40:03 GMT
All my resos are set up for slide and picking. I still have heavy gauge strings though - 15-56. Too low a gauge with lower action means clunking and horrid noises. TT
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Set up
Apr 27, 2018 15:30:05 GMT
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Post by tommyboy67 on Apr 27, 2018 15:30:05 GMT
I use 13 -56 gauge they’re fine but could be doing with the action lowered just a wee bit. I was watching a clip of mike dowling and he puts 12 - 52 on so he can fingerpick.
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Set up
Apr 27, 2018 15:49:35 GMT
Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2018 15:49:35 GMT
If you use lighter strings with the action the same, you may get more intonation problems. I think the best way is use the same strings, but slightly lower the action. Do you know the best way to lower the saddle BTW? TT
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Post by tommyboy67 on Apr 27, 2018 18:51:26 GMT
Nope I wouldn’t even have a clue. Thanks for all the advice
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Set up
Apr 28, 2018 7:53:30 GMT
Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2018 7:53:30 GMT
OK. You could take the saddle out and remove a bit from the bottom. Careful though, you might wreck your guitar - get an expert to help. TT
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Set up
Apr 28, 2018 8:01:29 GMT
Post by Michael Messer on Apr 28, 2018 8:01:29 GMT
Hi Tommyboy67,
Whereabouts are you based? I might be able to recommend someone to do the work for you.
Shine On Michael
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Post by pete1951 on Apr 28, 2018 12:55:37 GMT
Good advice from above, it is possible to get a reasonable tone from light strings, but it is a compromise. I play (mosty) with an 012" top string. This lets me bend the string (BB King style) and play slide. I would prefer to have an 013 for slide and an 011 for bending, but the 012 lets me do both without changing guitar mid-song. For best tone (for slide) a heavy top string and a heavy(ish) slide is probably best, again my slide is a little lighter than many , so I compromise my tone a little. PT Find someone who can play and see how they do it, most players love to show off ! (I know I do!!)
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Post by snakehips on Apr 28, 2018 18:49:04 GMT
Hi there !
I suggest you buy a “rule” ruler (one that zero is actually at the very end of the ruler, not in a few mm’s). Even better than that, get one especially designed for string height/action.
Use it to check all the guitars you can get your hands on - and particularly, measure the string heights of guitars you REALLY like, playability-wise. Find the range of action heights you find comfortable to play.
NOW, you know what you are aiming for, if you want to do the adjustments yourself, OR to describe what you want, to someone else (repair guy, luthier etc).
What to actually measure :
1. 12th fret string height - top of fret to underside of string, OR top of fret to top of string (but chose which for all measurements, to avoid confusion).
2. 1st fret string height - nut slot height can really affect playability. Too high and fretting is tough on the fingers AND you can have problems with tuning as higher strings here stretch strings sharp, trying to press down enougb to fret them (exaggerating to make the point). Nut slots too low risk fret buzz AND make playing slide on the low frets cleanly, quite difficult.
Knowing what you actually like will inform you what to aim for. Or, you could just go by trial and error !!! (but its fun and you learn more about guitar set-ups, and appteciate a well set-up guitar better)
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Post by snakehips on Apr 28, 2018 19:17:57 GMT
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Set up
Apr 29, 2018 23:23:57 GMT
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Post by tommyboy67 on Apr 29, 2018 23:23:57 GMT
Cheers thanks for all the info. I stay on the outskirts of Glasgow. If you could recommend someone that be great,.
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Post by snakehips on May 1, 2018 12:50:39 GMT
Hi again !
It sounds like all you are probably needing is the saddle-slots filed down a bit, to lower the action height.
In theory, that is easy enough to do BUT ideally you want to be there, so you can try out the tweaks bit by bit, until you are happy (easier when you have the tools to do it yourself).
In theory, it's a 5min job : slight adjustments, let you play it, some more adjustments, play, minor tweaks, perfect !
However, by taking it to a guitar shop/luthier :
1. They need loosen the strings, enough to pull out the ball ends from the tailpiece, unscrew all the coverplate screws to remove the coverplate (hoping they don't scratch the paint/plating), put the strings back on (without the coverplate)and tune to pitch. Then make the required adjustments. Then, they have to put the guitar back together again. That all takes about 30-60mins. So, what is otherwise a 5min adjustment job takes up to one hour to do - and thus you will be charged accordingly. It's not robbery BUT for the small amount of tweaking involved, you could probably buy the nut files yourself - and forever be able to tweak you own guitars, and your friends.
2. RISK your guitar with a guitar shop / luthier that knows nothing about resonators, other than to specialise at ruining them ! On that point, seeing as you are close to Glasgow, GuitarGuitar would be your best choice, as they sell NRP guitars BUT I don't know if they know any better than your average guitar shop the intricacies of resonator guitars. If you do take it to a guitar shop however, ask who does repairs for them. If they say the guy's name is Rod, ask if he used to work (do repairs) for Sound Control guitar shops in Edinburgh, Glasgow & Dundee. If so, walk out WITH your guitar immediately !!! MM say my first vintage National 14-fret Duolian at Dave King's workshop, with it's vintage cone silicone sealer'd to the well, the result of letting said Rod (of Sound Control) work on my guitar (circa 16-18yrs ago). I've learned my lesson now !!!
I am more than happy to meet up with you and help you out. I am not a luthier BUT I have worked on many Nationals and NRP guitars, installing Highlander pickups (which involved cutting and slotting new biscuit bridges) AND replacing older NRP cones for new hot-rod cones when they came available (again, necessitating fitting new biscuit bridges), plus set-ups and pickups on a few Tricones. I have good measuring devices (for action at the 12th AND 1st fret) and nut slot files etc to make tweaks. I've way more experience working on vintage and NRP guitars than probably any luthier in Scotland (I don't know for sure, but I've done plenty myself !). I'm quite chocka busy though, so a Friday mid afternoon at my work address (south side of Edinburgh, not far from the Edinburgh city bypass, is my best offer.
You are best being available to test the guitar playability while the adjustments are made.
If you want it done by a real professional though, I'd highly recommend Steve Evans, of Beltona (resonator instruments fame), in Leeds. You have to send it to (and from) him though - and that becomes more expensive.
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Set up
May 1, 2018 17:37:07 GMT
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Post by tommyboy67 on May 1, 2018 17:37:07 GMT
My guitar is a Republic of Texas obviously not as expensive as a national but I like it. That be great if you could make a few tweaks to it. Friday afternoon would be ok. I’m in biggar on that day and finish work at 1.30.
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Set up
May 1, 2018 22:50:35 GMT
Post by snakehips on May 1, 2018 22:50:35 GMT
Hi again !
I meant SOME Friday, not this Friday. Busy this Friday trying to fit in some rehearsal time with my wee blues combo, for next week’s Keswick Jazz Festival. The following a Friday may be OK though. PM me with your email address to discuss further.
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Set up
May 2, 2018 7:21:17 GMT
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Post by tommyboy67 on May 2, 2018 7:21:17 GMT
Don’t bother I’ll find someone else
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