Acoustic Action Changing, Need some advice
Matt23
Mar 13 2009, 07:48 PM
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My Seagull acoustic I have is a very nice guitar, but the action is a bit high. I have tried my friend's acoustic which had a much lower action so I know this isn't just a characteristic of acoustics in general.

If I decide to lower it then I will take it in to my local music store so I can get it professionally set-up. I'm just worried about taking my guitar in, especially after hearing stories about guitars being worse after being set-up, since I've no idea how good my local guitar shop are at fixing guitars.

What I'd like to know is how simple it is to change an acoustic's action, and what the chances are my guitar will come out fine, with a nice low action. Also, any idea how much this would cost?

Cheers

Matt smile.gif

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Xuestor
Mar 13 2009, 07:51 PM
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if you have one spare bridge (the plastic thing), then you can just try to sand if down a bit. I did that with my acoustic, and that one came out great!

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Resurrection
Mar 13 2009, 07:54 PM
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QUOTE (Xuestor @ Mar 13 2009, 06:51 PM) *
if you have one spare bridge (the plastic thing), then you can just try to sand if down a bit. I did that with my acoustic, and that one came out great!


I've tried this in the past and it worked well for me too.

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Matt23
Mar 13 2009, 07:55 PM
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QUOTE (Xuestor @ Mar 13 2009, 06:51 PM) *
if you have one spare bridge (the plastic thing), then you can just try to sand if down a bit. I did that with my acoustic, and that one came out great!


I don't have a spare bridge, but are you saying all you need to do is sand the bridge down to lower the action?

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Frederik
Mar 13 2009, 08:13 PM
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QUOTE (Matt23 @ Mar 13 2009, 07:55 PM) *
I don't have a spare bridge, but are you saying all you need to do is sand the bridge down to lower the action?


i works. i did it to

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Matt23
Mar 13 2009, 08:17 PM
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So do you think I should just do it myself instead of taking it in to my music store?

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jer
Mar 13 2009, 08:18 PM
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yeah, thats all you have to do.

See what a spare costs and then decide if you want to try it.

If its a $10 part, why not????

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Sensible Jones
Mar 13 2009, 10:35 PM
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QUOTE (Matt23 @ Mar 13 2009, 07:17 PM) *
So do you think I should just do it myself instead of taking it in to my music store?

Yeah, give it a go Matt! A new 'saddle' will cost all of about £1 or £2!!!
There's only 2 places you can adjust the action as a whole on an acoustic.
1) By filing the string grooves in the Nut to lower at the Headstock end or
2) By sanding the Saddle to lower it at the Bridge.

If you have a rough idea as to how much lower you want the action you should be able to scribe/scratch a line along the saddle as a guide! Use fine sandpaper on a flat surface and sand the saddle on the paper rather than the other way around! PM me if you need some more info!!!

biggrin.gif biggrin.gif biggrin.gif

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Matt23
Mar 13 2009, 10:47 PM
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Thanks guys, I have another question. Does the little bit of white plastic on the bridge that has the string grooves ("the saddle"?) just come out if you take the strings off or is it glued in? What I mean is do I take the (saddle?) out while I'm sanding it or does it stay in the guitar?

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Matt23
Mar 14 2009, 12:12 AM
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I've found out the answer to that question so I guess I'll try and sand my saddle sometime this weekend. Thanks for your help guys. smile.gif If you have any advice about this though, I'd really like to hear it cos I don't want to muck it up. smile.gif

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Bogdan Radovic
Mar 14 2009, 01:58 AM
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You should take it out and sand the flat lower side down, not the upper one with string grooves.Good luck! smile.gif

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This post has been edited by Bogdan Radovic: Mar 14 2009, 01:59 AM


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Ivan Milenkovic
Mar 14 2009, 11:12 PM
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I think sanding off the top part of the bridge is more easier than bottom part. Just take it step by step mate, it is better to sand off just a little, then put strings on and try it, and send off some more than to overdo it.

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GrannyKiller
Mar 14 2009, 11:27 PM
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I believe all acoustics have a truss rod, often accessed through the sound hole (rather than the headstock).

You could probably make some small adjustments with it, but only if the neck is bowed. If it's straight, it won't do you any good. And be careful with it, no sudden moves while adjusting it!! mellow.gif

Sanding down the bottom of the bridge is probably the best idea... NOT the top of the bridge, especially if it's an intonated bridge (or whatever it's called).

Filing the nut can easily turn into a disaster, and you could end up with a lot more problems than you have now. If you file the slots too deep, no bridge/truss-rod adjustment's going to help you, and you'll get a lot of fret-buzz. You'll have to replace the nut, and that's a bit tough. Be careful if you're gonna do it! wink.gif

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Sircraigery
Mar 16 2009, 01:55 AM
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I had to adjust my acoustic, and I sanded the bridge from the underside. Mine comes out when there is no string tension. I would leave the nut for someone more experienced. It won't cost you much to take it in, but you may have to wait a couple of weeks to get it back.

Or you can try it yourself. If you screw up the nut, it'll cost you another $50 to get it replaced or so. So, it's not the end of the world.

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This post has been edited by Sircraigery: Mar 16 2009, 01:56 AM


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Matt23
Mar 16 2009, 04:44 PM
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QUOTE (Sircraigery @ Mar 16 2009, 12:55 AM) *
I had to adjust my acoustic, and I sanded the bridge from the underside. Mine comes out when there is no string tension. I would leave the nut for someone more experienced. It won't cost you much to take it in, but you may have to wait a couple of weeks to get it back.

Or you can try it yourself. If you screw up the nut, it'll cost you another $50 to get it replaced or so. So, it's not the end of the world.


Do you think if I'm sanding the saddle though not the nut it'll be alright?

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