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Post by archtopeddy on Mar 7, 2024 16:57:56 GMT
I have a 1930 National Triolian. The height of the strings near the bridge above the cover plate is 1/8th inch. This seems to feel low to me. Also, there's very little break angle at the bridge. The good news is that the action fine great for fingerpicking.
Does this string height seem correct to you? I'm hoping I can adjust this without affecting the playing action. Thanks for any thoughts!
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Post by snakehips on Mar 7, 2024 17:51:05 GMT
Hi there !
Some pictures would REALLY help us.
Having said that, it may well need a neck reset.
The original saddle slots may have been cut deeper & deeper to try & compensated for the neck pulling up, from decades of string pull.
That raises the action, causing the owner to cut the saddle slots deeper.
The strings end up too close to the coverplate itself - and virtually no break angle over the saddle.
Does the guitar sound more like a banjo than it should ?
Does the guitar have poor sustain - especially with a slide, up the neck ?
If so, it definitely needs a neck reset.
Some need a replacement cone too BUT resist the temptation to do that unless absolutely necessary.
IF a luthier suggests replacing the cone, MAKE SURE you get the cone back - because sometimes you can work on it (an acquired art itself !) to possibly be viable again.
Photos photos photos !!!
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Post by archtopeddy on Mar 7, 2024 19:19:39 GMT
Thanks Snakehips for the quick and useful response. Here are a few photos. (Yes, the guitar is strung up lefty; the pickup is a Sextus that I painted brown...) Oh, to answer your questions: It doesn't sound banjo-ish and seems to have good sustain up and down the neck when used with a slide. However, I don't have other vintage National to which I can compare. I should also note: Its had the neck replaced by NRP several years ago. Apparently the original was bakelite but I don't have it so I don't know. It's a good neck. No warping issues or anything. |
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 7, 2024 20:31:48 GMT
It looks fine to me. There is no reason to put more of a break angle there, unless it needs it.
Am I right in thinking you are based in France? If so, then talk to Mike Lewis and see what he has to say about it.
Shine On
Michael
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Post by archtopeddy on Mar 8, 2024 0:50:23 GMT
It looks fine to me. There is no reason to put more of a break angle there, unless it needs it. Am I right in thinking you are based in France? If so, then talk to Mike Lewis and see what he has to say about it. Shine On Michael Thanks Michael for your input. I wish I were in France, but alas I'm not. I'm in Colorado USA. I actually tried moving the pickup closer to the bottom of the neck, clearing about an inch more on the top for fingerpicking. Also, I will try some higher gauged strings as many of you fellow use. |
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 8, 2024 8:40:57 GMT
It looks fine to me. There is no reason to put more of a break angle there, unless it needs it. Am I right in thinking you are based in France? If so, then talk to Mike Lewis and see what he has to say about it. Shine On Michael Thanks Michael for your input. I wish I were in France, but alas I'm not. I'm in Colorado USA. I actually tried moving the pickup closer to the bottom of the neck, clearing about an inch more on the top for fingerpicking. Also, I will try some higher gauged strings as many of you fellow use. I don't know why I thought you were in France. My apologies! If that neck was fitted by NRP it should be correctly angled. If you really do want to change the string height over the body you could get it reset. Marc Schoenberger is the man for that job. Shine On Michael |
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