Guitar Problem. Help!

N

nomad

New member
Dear all!

I recently bought a Yamaha APX-3 Acoustic plug-in for 590. Now I regret it.

I basically try to play jazz. I usually try to use high-register chords for various effects, and try do solo fills between chords. But with an acoustic guitar it is really hard.

Also, the bending of the strinngs is much less than my classical. The major problem is that my strings are really far from my fret board.

Can anyone help with my problem? I either want to sell my guitar or call anyone offer advice?

I'm sure you understand how a frustrated musician feels, especially an amateur one.

Cheers,
Nicfoo
 
action...

hey, sorry. care to enlighten me what does 'action' of the guitar mean?

pardon my lack of knowledge. a newbie
 
nomad said:
Dear all!

I recently bought a Yamaha APX-3 Acoustic plug-in for 590. Now I regret it.

I basically try to play jazz. I usually try to use high-register chords for various effects, and try do solo fills between chords. But with an acoustic guitar it is really hard.

Also, the bending of the strinngs is much less than my classical. The major problem is that my strings are really far from my fret board.

Can anyone help with my problem? I either want to sell my guitar or call anyone offer advice?

I'm sure you understand how a frustrated musician feels, especially an amateur one.

Cheers,
Nicfoo
Click to expand...

omg.. i bought that guitar about a year ago, brand new for 450 @ music plaza. Yes the action is DAMN high, it really kills your fingers, it is DAMN difficult to get full bend especially at lower frets( you have to bend past 2 strings). If you havent realise yet, this guitar is not for doing solos. If its still in mint condition, try to sell it.

i dont think its possible to lower the action. everything is so fixed inplace.
alternatively.U may wanna try out super super super light gauge strings, or even nylon strings.

and yes i was equally frustrated too.. i was using it to do the sweet child o mine solo, and i couldnt get anywhere with it.
 
yes, then that means my action is too high. Other than filing the plastic piece (what's the name of that?), what other alternatives do i have?

CAn i change my strings to more supposedly 'more flexible' ones, not so stiff. or is there a fixed tension to the strings in every guitar?

CHeers,
Nicfoo
 
Depending on situation

Hi Nomad,

Depending on situation, it could be the neck, the nut (the plastic piece), or the saddle.
 
Its best if you bring to a professional shop for a setup. There are plenty of such repair shops in Singapore. Standard rate is 40 bucks.

Or you can take the opportunity to upgrade to a TUSQ (www.graphtech.com) to get a better tone and also do setup at the same time :D

PM me if you need recommendations on shops doing the upgrade or setup.
 
strings

does each guitar has its preferable gauge for its strings?

what does high gauge strings do, as compared to low gauge strings?

Cheers,
Nic
 
high gauge strings = more sustain and volume but need more str to bend and harder to snap

low gauge strings = lower sustain and volume less str to bend and easier to snap
 
help!

thanks for the info on guitar strings.

btw, does anyone know where to get my saddle filed to lower my action? a place where i can trust to shave the saddle.

anyone?
 
nomad said:
Dear all!

I recently bought a Yamaha APX-3 Acoustic plug-in for 590. Now I regret it.

I basically try to play jazz. I usually try to use high-register chords for various effects, and try do solo fills between chords. But with an acoustic guitar it is really hard.

Also, the bending of the strinngs is much less than my classical. The major problem is that my strings are really far from my fret board.

Can anyone help with my problem? I either want to sell my guitar or call anyone offer advice?

I'm sure you understand how a frustrated musician feels, especially an amateur one.

Cheers,
Nicfoo
Click to expand...

It's a common "problem" amongst acoustic guitars, esp those in the lower price range. However, the action can be easily lowered most of the time by doing some adjustments to the saddle, nut and truss rod. This procedure involves more than a set up and would probably be 60-100 to get it fixed.
 
Saddle and Nut Adjustment

does anyone know where i can adjust my saddle and nut at a reasonablr price, and not get my saddle screwed?

btw, where is the tussle and nut? and what does it do?
 
i don't think you shld do anything to the nut of the acoustic. I have an APX-5A, I think high action may not necessarily be a bad thing, especially when you're talking about playing jazz, when you need a lot of sustain. The lower the action, the lower the sustain. Of course if you're solo-ing and improvising then it becomes another story. Try filing the plastic saddle of the bridge by taking the strings out and filing from the bottom area, you could ask a professional luthier to do it for you. Mind you, i wouldn't advice you to do it though, acoustics have higher action than electrics, you might be better of with an electric guitar. Furthermore, if the saddle is filed too low for low action, it may cause fret buzz when you play/strum/improvise/solo. I would suggest using a lighter gauge strings instead.

Just my 2 cents
 
Luthier...where?

Thanks for your advice. I know about the buzzing issue if the saddle is shaved too much.

My main problem is that when i play high register chords, its reall tiring for the fingers.

Also, if its an acoustic guitar, can I just change the strings to nylon? Is that feasible?

Finally, where exactly can I find anyone to shave my saddle properly?

Btw, what is a luthier?

Cheers,
Nic
 
thanks

thanks again for your advice.

so if i'm hearing you correctly, if i adjust my truss rod, i can use nylon strings?

what and where is the truss rod?

Cheers,
nIC

PS. thanks for the website
 
if you really must use a nylon strings then you have to adjust the truss rod after you put on the strings because steel strings exert greater pressure then nylon strings...

I dun recoomend this move because APX have small body and the sound is horrible (No body... no vol...)

You should just get a proper setup done to your guitar... places to get setup are:

1) Maestro Concept Store (singapore makers... if they make they should be able to do right.. kekeke)

2) Sinemax Guitar Hospital (Talyor ppl in singapore)

3) Guitar connection ( Repair shop + 2nd hand guitars)

4) Guitar workshop ( Repair shop)

5) Technical Guitar geeks like myself but i dun recoomend... keke :P
 
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