|
Post by Niek on Nov 13, 2010 11:46:22 GMT
Hi Robin, This is usefull information! Thanks for the info. I measured the string height at the 1st fret and pressing down the string at the 3rd fret. The height of the low e string is about 0,5mm at the first fret. At the high string it is 0,4mm. In the description it says that the height should be almost the thickness of a hair. The strings are to heigh on my guitar. I will begin filing the nut today gradually. Cheers, Nico
|
|
|
Post by slidenpickit on Nov 13, 2010 13:06:35 GMT
If you are still not happy when you have done all that, you could try 14 to 54 gauge strings. They will work well for slide and feel slightly easier to fret for finger style.
Chris W
|
|
|
Post by Niek on Nov 16, 2010 21:51:50 GMT
If you are still not happy when you have done all that, you could try 14 to 54 gauge strings. They will work well for slide and feel slightly easier to fret for finger style. Chris W Hi Chris, Last weekend I filed a little of the nut but still I find it hard to push in the strings especially with bar chords. What would be the ideal height of the strings on the 12 fret? Nico
|
|
|
Post by slidenpickit on Nov 16, 2010 22:27:56 GMT
Hi Nico,
There will always be a compromise with action height if you want to get a good slide tone and be able to fret chords with reasonable ease. Like Michael has said you really need to experiment carefully by adjusting the truss rod a little bit at a time until you get the action the lowest you can for the style you want to play without the strings rattling on the frets when you play barre chords. A safe and easy way to do this is to try different string gauges, you wont harm the guitar if you stick to low tunings. The ideal action height is the one that suits you. Lighter strings will still give you a good tone and make it easier to play barre chords. Even a 13.5 to 52 set will sound good. The 13.5 1st string will be the correct tension for the top string and give a nice fat slide tone while being the same tension as a 12 gauge string tuned to pitch (E). Try this before you take any more material away from the string slots on the nut.
Another alternative if you are playing in open tunings is the learn how to fret behind the slide instead of playing barre chords which can be hard unless the action in just right.
Good Luck
Chris W
|
|
|
Post by Niek on Nov 19, 2010 23:49:03 GMT
Hi Chris,
When I compare the height of the strings on my Lebeda to that of my National Vintage steel tricone there is a difference. The height of the strings on de 12 fret on my Tricone is almost 1mm lower. Also the strings are a littlebit lower at the nut. Same string gauges by the way.
Must admit, my Lebeda does sound great with these new strings. Didn't play this Lebeda for a while and now I am starting to like this guitar, except for the action of the strings, but with some filing of the nut and saddle will maybe solve this problem.
Cheers,
Nico
|
|
|
Post by robn on Nov 21, 2010 11:13:00 GMT
A quick word on set-ups for reso guitars. Always come back to the same starting point to measure. ie measure at full tension in the tuning you will use and with the string gauges you will use. Set the relief first - then the nut height - then the bridge height. That way you won't get any nasty surprises If the tailpiece normally rests on the coverplate of your biscuit bridge or spiderbridge guitar then you should always measure with the coverplate on. Ron and I both have an old coverplate with the handrest removed that we use when doing set-ups to be more accurate and quicker. Always mark the biscuit and cone and conewell when doing set-ups so everything goes back with the same allignment. Cones are not perfectly parralell at the top and bottom (even NRP Hot Rods) and if you rotate the biscuit on the cone you can change the action. Be happy with the perfectly acceptable - wood moves as to cones. going for the n'th degree of accuracy will drive you insane. The absolute best gauges for what set-up is "right" are your hands and your ears. Play the darn guitar - if you are happy that it does what it needs to do, feels right and plays right - then leave it alone!!!!!
|
|
|
Post by Niek on Dec 5, 2010 21:05:24 GMT
Hi,
I did some minor adjusting on my Lebeda and did not adjust the trust rod of the neck. Played the guitar now for some time and I must say it plays better but stil needs some adjusting. The strings are a bit to high at the 12th fret and needs some lowering. Anyway, I am starting to like this guitar. It really honks!
Because I had no reactions on my Lebeda sale I have decided to keep this guitar.
Thanks for all the advise.
Nico
|
|