Acoustic Guitar Bridge Adjustment

[jbarks]

Hi everyone,

First time posting a new thread in the guitar forums 8) I just bought an acoustic guitar from SL but after a longer while playing it, I've realised the action is too high and adjusting the truss rod isn't really a good fix for it. Should I get it fixed by someone or do I take it back to Swee Lee or something else? I'm open to recommendations.

 

[lppier]

Take it back to sweelee for adjustment.. bring your receipt. It's not too difficult to get the action down to acceptable height by a good guitar tech if the guitar is made well.

Pier.

 

[jbarks]

How would this be done? The bridge isn't adjustable from what I can see... then again I'm a total guitar noob here :/ If it was a standard adjustable saddle type I'd have the action down in no time but this is my first experience with an acoustic.

 

[Kwerty]

If I'm not wrong, you have to pay for such set ups.

The receipt, if i'm not wrong, only cover warranty, like damages, or any defects.

I tried asking them to lower the action etc for me but they say they'll have to charge. So oh well, brought it to my friend instead, over at luther. :wink:

 

[jbarks]

Luther does acoustic setups?

I'm not sure but looking at it, it looks like the bridge has to be lowered or filed down. Action is horrendous; you can stuff in 3 Jazz II picks and maybe the old Transitlink card at the 12th fret. I tried.

Or is that an "ok" action for an acoustic :?

 

[Lifehouse]

Acoustic tend to have higher actions than electric. Anyway, you can try filing down the saddle. But file properly.

 

[thor666]

Call Swee Lee and ask. They -are- supposed to know about the setups for their guitars.

--------------------------

Offtopic, and not targeting anyone here:
I'm not sure why but I keep seeing people saying their 1sthand stuff is spoilt/needs working on/repair, and ask who to look for to fix it up. Call the shop which sells the stuff you bought. If you don't do it, shops will just stop providing aftersales customer service since they know this is the trend.

Do what you must, hound them, disturb them, ask them to do what they're supposed to do - provide aftersales services for their products. You paid for your item, you deserve only the best service for how much you pay for.

Cheers
Raymond

 

[Lifehouse]

Just read your post again. 3 Jazz picks. That is really high action. Filing or truss rod not going to help. When did you bought it? Hold the guitar and aim the headstock at a light source. See if it's warp. I mean warp, not bow or backbow which can be rectified by a truss rod adjustment.

If it's warp, see if you can get an exchange. Be tactful when you ask for an exchange.

 

[lppier]

How long you bought your guitar? Sorry when I first read your post I thought that you just bought the guitar.

Pier.

 

[jbarks]

Pier: You read it right. The acoustic's a mid/lower-range one (I just wanted something to strum on and learn with that sounded relatively good) so I'm a bit less eager to send it for something which may end up costing half as much as the guitar itself ($450).

Lifehouse: The neck's straight as an arrow. I'm thinking filing the bridge can help to lower it by quite a bit... I looked at the nut and it seems set at an ok height; it's just the bridge that's really high here. I did the "fret at 1st fret and 16th fret and see the spacing at the 6th or 7th fret" thing and its ok.

Raymond: I know I'm supposed to get good support or whatever, but after looking at the acoustic I've pretty much narrowed it down to the bridge which is all about the construction here... I could go back and try another one but if the action on that one's high too then I doubt that there's much I can do. If I *do* send it for a bridge re-file (or a setup, or most anything for that matter) then I'd be much more inclined to send it to Beez or Malcolm than to SL.

 

[lppier]

Hey man, your guitar costs 450, so i guess it's not a cheapo guitar, swee lee should offer to adjust for you, especially since u just bought it. I don't think it will take too much time for them. Just take it back with the receipt and ask them (nicely) to help you adjust, don't be shy.

Pier.

 

[jbarks]

Sorry (I'm being a total noob here), but adjust exactly what? I think filing the bridge doesn't come under a normal setup right :?

 

[Lifehouse]

It's not that hard that you can't file yourself. Get a fine grit sandpaper which should do the job fine.

 

[jbarks]

It's not that hard that you can't file yourself. Get a fine grit sandpaper which should do the job fine.

This should be fun 8) but how do I take out the bridge to get to the bottom? I forgot to mention my acoustic has a pickup as well.

 

[strats]

take out all the strings, push the bridge then tahdah it's out be careful when you're sanding it down though. measure it properly

 

[jbarks]

take out all the strings, push the bridge then tahdah it's out be careful when you're sanding it down though. measure it properly

Push the bridge from the bottom ah?

Cool 8) I've setup guitars and basses before but never acoustics. Haha if I screw this up I'll have to buy a new bridge saddle but I might as well have fun I guess.

 

[zysth]

i remember my 1st guitar was an accoustic.. it was a cheapo guitar from davis.. after a while i realised the action was too high.. as a noob, i didn't think much or consult anyone but just went down to buy a new bridge which was lower and it worked fine.. :lol: it seemed like common sense to me at that time.. n i think it only cost a couple of bucks..