Ideal string height, nut and 12th fret
Is there an ideal height for the strings above the 1st fret? (acoustic). And also at the 12th? Thank you, John
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Yes, but is dependant on fret height and the player attack or playing style & string gage. I use this only as a starting point for "general" set ups.
1st & 2nd strings - .020" above the fret height. 3rd & 4th strings - .025" above the fret height. 5th & 6th strings - .030" above the fret height. 12th fret: 1st string - .080" 6th string - .100" These dimensions can vary each way depending on the player but this is a good starting point. |
Tim . . .I'll use your figures like you said as a starting point . . . many thanks, John.
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John: Be careful ... Measure twice and cut once ...
.070" & .090" are the low end of the spectrum for height at the 12th fret. This is achieved by lowering the saddle [after neck relief has been set]. |
Hi Tim, I just thought I'd get back to you with the measurements on my Washburn D30S. (I used feeler gauges but not sure how to measure the in-between strings, 2, 3, 4, and 5.) ((Elixir Original Polywed, 12s.)
1st string at 1st fret: .018 6th string at 1st fret: .030 1st string at 12th fret: .076 6th string at 12th fret: .090. (Perhaps just a tad more than .090.) These measurements appear to be pretty close to your suggested measurements. I'll re-check them tomorrow in better light. Any comments? Thanks, John |
One more thing, perhaps 2 things . . . I finally now grasp that one sets the neck relief first and then proceeds to lower the saddle if necessary. The light came on.
I've had the feeling that the slots in the nut may be too high. I use the capo at the 1st fret an awful lot and that may be partly the reason. How can you tell if those nut slots are too high? Thanks, John |
Tim, are the heights the same for a 12 string?
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At the first fret:
E = .022", A = .020", D = .018", G = .018", B = .018", E = .016" At the 12th fret: E = .105, A = .100, D = .095, G = .090, B = .085, E = .080 PS: My 12-string is about the same, but maybe even a smidge lower at the 12th fret (a smidge too low, IMO). Will replace the saddle and reset the action higher someday. PS, part deux: I set my guitars up to these specs based on info from Bryan Kimsey's website. Bryan is a highly-regarded setup/ repair guy who frequents the Martin Forum. http://www.bryankimsey.com/ |
Randal, thanks for the link. It's great information and will help me a lot.
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Here's another treasure trove of info, courtesy of Frank Ford: http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/pagelist.html |
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/guy |
May sound like a dumb question, but how do you measure to the accuracy of the numbers posted. And when it says .050", that's inches I assume?
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