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Post by resolive on Jan 25, 2017 3:34:36 GMT
Hello! My resonator is in need of some 'surgery': the neck is set a little too shallow and it makes it very hard to lower the action without the break angle being near zero, which makes it quite hard to play, and it's probably not ideal for the tone. I'm thinking of doing it myself because I like to learn how to take care of my instrument... I'm wondering if I'm not taking on too much though, so I was wondering if other people have experience doing this, and for those who do, if they have any pointers/advice. I know that setting the break angle does not have to be a super exact science, but I'm wondering what kind of value I should be shooting for. It's a single cone. Thanks in advance!  Cheers. Olivier. |
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Post by leeophonic on Jan 25, 2017 5:49:52 GMT
My advice on this is take it to one of the few luthiers with experience.
Also what type of guitar is it??? some have neck sticks some do not so that will change your approach.
There are so many variables in trying to get more out of a guitar, neck angle, cone, biscuit, saddle, nut material,strings,finger picks.... COST!!!! It may be a case of trade up from what you have and head for what you think you want.
Lee
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Post by Michael Messer on Jan 25, 2017 10:34:29 GMT
Hi Resolive,
Lee's advice is correct.
Your guitar looks like a Republic? If it is a Republic, it does have a neck stick and if neck angle is the problem, which I suspect it is, it can be adjusted properly to get the correct break angle from the tailpiece to the bridge saddle.
I admire you for wanting to do it yourself, but I would not attempt this job unless you know what you are doing. It is not rocket science, but it does need to be done by an experienced resonator luthier.
There may be a forum member that is prepared to explain how to do this job, but I would not attempt it unless you know what you are doing.
Referring back to Lee's comments; if it is a Republic, neck angles vary, so you might be safer moving yours on and getting another with the setup you require. You can hang on to your chicken foot coverplate.
Shine On
Michael
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Post by resolive on Jan 25, 2017 11:27:49 GMT
:-D Yes, the chicken foot coverplate is a must! Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it. I really like it so I'm going to try to have a luthier adjust the neck angle, unless it's a prohibitively costly job? I have absolutely no idea how much that'd run, but I'll ask around, I know one in my area who seems to be pretty reputable. Thank you very much. :-)
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Post by pete1951 on Jan 25, 2017 13:03:52 GMT
Finding a repairer is hard, I have worked for most ,at one point all the music shops,in a fairly large town and in over 40years have only worked on 2 pre 40s resos through the shops. (I have had a few reso repairs via friends and out of town contacts) So even a lifetime in the trade has not made me an 'expert' . Make sure your luthier really knows what they're doing.
PT
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2017 13:34:27 GMT
Then there's the dreaded 'paper over the cracks' solution if you can't afford to get it reset: understring it....
TT
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2017 23:20:55 GMT
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Post by resolive on Jan 25, 2017 23:47:22 GMT
I could do that, but I think I'd still be stuck with high-ish action though unfortunately... I have an appointment for Feb. 3rd with a local luthier so he can take a look at it. He's worked at the PRS factory here in Maryland in the past (not the most well-known resonator maker - I know! :-D), he's got some really good recommendations. We'll see what he says...
For my general information though, is there a 'typical' break angle value that people shoot for? I know it doesn't have to be super precise, but are we talking 5 degrees? 10 degrees? 15 degrees? .... 45? :-P Mine seems to be about 4 degrees...
Thanks for all the replies by the way, I really appreciate it.
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Post by resolive on Jan 25, 2017 23:48:23 GMT
But consider all of the advice given by the knowlegable folks here before you do anything... Absolutely! :-) I wouldn't be asking if I wasn't prepared to. Thanks for the links. Oh, too funny, I already had your first one up! :-D Well one good thing is that right now the neck has a pretty good curvature, so at least there's that, I don't think I need to touch the truss rod. |
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Post by Michael Messer on Jan 25, 2017 23:58:10 GMT
Hi Olivier,
Do not take it to a luthier that has no experience with National-style resonator guitars. The fact that he has worked for PRS means that he is good with electric guitars, but he has no experience with Nationals, so I would not recommend taking it there.
Just trying to help
Shine On
Michael
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Post by resolive on Jan 26, 2017 0:09:49 GMT
Thanks Michael. For now he's just going to take a look at it, but one of the first questions I was going to ask is how much experience he has with resonators.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2017 1:57:25 GMT
OK you are in the USA... if it is a Republic, i would drop a line to Frank Jr., the owner, for guidance... he, as was his late dad, is a very nice helpful person.
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Post by resolive on Jan 26, 2017 2:52:32 GMT
Well now I'm not so sure... like I said my break angle seems really low (in the 3-4 degrees). The action is sort of low on the bass side but on the slightly high side on the treble string (roughly 2 mm across the board at the 12 fret, so I could probably go 1.5 mm on the treble side). So a neck reset should allow for a slightly lower action on the treble side and a bit more comfort overall... Looking at the bridge, I'd say that an ideal height would be roughly 3-4mm taller than it currently is. Based on the measurements I took, that'd equate to sanding the neck heel by .7 to .9mm max. So starting at .7mm, maybe even slightly less... should put the break angle at 6 or 7 degrees - I think... |
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piro39
MM Forum Member
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Post by piro39 on Jan 26, 2017 4:07:56 GMT
I went through this with my 2000 Delphi and couldn't find anyone locally to do it. I ended up sending it to National Resophonic and they charged me $350 plus shipping.
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Post by Dessery on Jan 26, 2017 6:53:38 GMT
Just a quick question but has your guitar always been this way or have you found that the action has become lower over time?
All the best
David
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Cheers. Olivier.
