|
Post by paulie64 on Mar 2, 2021 0:38:29 GMT
I have an old Oscar Schmidt acoustic guitar I bought about 25 years ago that I haven't played in years because the action was so high it was frustrating trying to learn on it. I decided to try and get it set up so I can use it and after watching several how to videos and talking to a luthier coworker I decided I could fix it. It's not worth taking to a shop as it was a $100 guitar then and probably not worth that now. Anyway, the luthier told me to put a straight edge along the frets and adjust the truss rod until there is 7 to 8 thousands clearance at the 7th fret and that should be good. I put a straight edge over the frets to see how the neck was bowed and I discovered that the 5 or 6 inches of fretboard that is on the body of the guitar is flat but the rest of the neck is sloped down. When I rest the straight edge on the flat part there is about a half inch of space at the nut end. Obviously if I lower the action this thing won't be playable. My question is, is there a DIY way I can try to fix this or is this thing just wall art?
|
|
|
Post by blindwilly3fingers on Mar 2, 2021 2:24:28 GMT
Sounds like your describing an back bow? Does the truss rod not have any effect if you adjust it? Bear in mind you may have to adjust it gradually over a few days.
There are jigs you can make for straightening necks. But it's not a simple task to do it properly. I would expect it may not be cheap to build a jig.
I've heard of people clamping a straight metal beam to the neck on a bench. Tightening the clamps over a period of time.
I'm not sure if it's a DIY job.
|
|
|
|
Post by blindwilly3fingers on Mar 2, 2021 16:16:32 GMT
That's what I was unsure of DefJef, I rightly or wrongly assumed and old acoustic would be more prone to forward bow? As there was no mention of the bridge/saddle height being checked with the straightedge, it's hard to fathom what is actually going on? Without more info it's hard to hazard a guess? Has the truss rod been maxed out creating the back bow because the saddle was too high? Always difficult trying to work out the problem without seeing the guitar.
|
|
398 posts
|
Post by easyrider on Apr 22, 2021 19:08:34 GMT
Of course it's very simply fixable and you can DIY surely. Find some videos in Youtube. You need wrench for truss rod, capo, piece of printer paper, string action ruler, maybe piece of sandpaper, string winder, bridge pin puller and little bit patience. Power to you!
|
|