String Height

[jono1uk]

This one is probably for Michael..

What is the lowest string height that the MM 12 fret blues can be set at for playing slide?
my strat is set fairly high for the type of blues i play but i dont use it for slide..
looks like the MM is higher and am struggling a bit fretting chords .. 

[Deleted]

This may be of interest.
www.buskerguitars.co.uk/3.html


Perhaps you just need lighter gauge strings

[jono1uk]

Thanks Fredi

i have 13 to 56 in Eb on my main strat so the gauge isn't the issue ... it is the height that needs lowering..

[Deleted]

Hows about setting it the height on your main strat?
TT

[jono1uk]

Jul 4, 2015 8:52:23 GMT @deuce said:

Hows about setting it the height on your main strat?
TT

good call but it still may not be high enough then for slide...i ham having a pro set up next week so could do with getting it right 1st time...

[Deleted]

There's a couple of other things to consider - no assumptions being made.
Is it because if you're new to reso and your hand strength needs developing?
If so, I'd be cautious about lowering it as you just might get used to it. Most everyone else gets used to it, unless....
is it because you've got small hands, or the action is so great that it makes mistakes more likely (one of my teles is like that - I only use it for slide)?
Aside from slightly lighter strings, lowering it a bit at a time would work best.
Take the saddle out and file 1/2 mm off the bottom. Leave for a while (a week?). If needs be repeat.
TT

[Deleted]

Also, the pro set-up. Do they know anything about resos?
If not, avoid...
TT

[Michael Messer]

Hi Jono,

The setup of a guitar has to be done to your personal taste. If you are unsure of how that setup should be done you should follow some guidelines and take advice from your luthier.

I would recommend approximately 3mm, maybe 3.5mm at the 12th fret. I do not think that the bass side should be higher than the treble side.

You can set up a resonator guitar to feel just like any other acoustic with low strings and a fast action, but I don't recommend that if you are going to play slide on it. If you are struggling with chords, that may be because the strings are too high for you, but it also might be that you need to get used to having your strings higher than your other guitars.

My guitar has a very low string height at the nut and at the 12th fret the string height is 4.5mm. It is an unusual setup, but it is how I like it.

Are you taking your guitar to an expert resonator luthier? ....if you are not, I would advise CAUTION, because most luthiers absolutely have no idea at all about how to work on and setup a resonator guitar. They are a world unto themselves. If you lower the strings beyond what the tailpiece-to-bridge break-angle can handle, your guitar will sound terrible.

Shine On
Michael

[jono1uk]

Hi Michael

the guy isn't advertised as a reso luthier ..i haven't committed to anyone at the moment so i can go to someone better .....but my problem is finding someone
near me ... i am near Ashford in kent ..if anyone knows of the nearest please..

[Michael Messer]

Hi Jono,

Don't take it to this luthier.

The problem is that there are very few expert resonator luthiers around. I don't know anybody in Kent that can do this work for you. My advice would be to talk to Dave King at Dave King Acoustics and book it in with him. DK Acoustics is not local to you, they are near Newbury in Berkshire, but there really are not many people who can do this work for you. Dave King Acoustics is where all MM Guitars are setup and they are also the official UK repairers for National Reso-Phonic Guitars.

Shine On
Michael

[jono1uk]

Thanks Michael

I have emailed Dave ...