Rainsong Shorty Owners question

moondoggie999 · #1 03-05-2015, 02:10 PM

Ok fellow Shorty owners. My G, D and A strings are physically resting on my truss rod cover. The B string is almost touching.

Do yours?

Captain Jim · #2 03-05-2015, 03:43 PM

No. It is close, but I can just slide the TRC out after taking out the screws (I did it last month when making a small tweak to the truss rod).

Has the nut (or slots) been altered?

For reference, I have a bone saddle on mine that has been lowered from what came on it from the factory, but no adjustment to the nut. The action on my Shorty is still a bit higher than on my Taylors.

Jim

moondoggie999 · #3 03-05-2015, 05:30 PM

Jim,

AFAIK, it has not been altered.

Here are my shorty's measurements, if you have time, would you tell me what your guitar is set at for the following?

First measurement is the Shorty, (measurement in parenthesis is my Breedlove C25) for comparison

Low E String clearance at 12 fret with capo at 1st fret: 6/64 (5/64)
Hi E String clearance at 12 fret with capo at 1st fret: 4/64 (4/64)

Low E string clearance above fingerboard at nut: between 2/64 and 3/64 (4/64)
Hi E string clearance above fingerboard at nut: 2/64 (3/64)
(My Martin DM has the same specs at the nut as the Breedlove)

String height above 7th fret with string depressed at 1st and 12th fret: less than 1/64 (same)

If you are able, thanks, also if anyone else can share their clearances, that would be fantastic, thanks!

Res Ipsa · #4 03-05-2015, 05:46 PM

Shorty owner here; some strings touch my TRC as well. Not aware if it creates a problem or not, I removed the TRC. I'd like to hear any opinions.

moondoggie999 · #5 03-05-2015, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Res Ipsa

some strings touch my TRC as well. Not aware if it creates a problem or not, I removed the TRC.

Res Ipsa, thanks for the response. Do you remember if your strings always touched the TRC? I noticed some string buzzing then I noticed the strings touching the TRC, but a good idea for me might be to take the TRC off as you have done and see if it cures my string buzz. (edit: tried this and did seem to notice an improvement, perhaps the TRC is lifting the string out of the nut enuf to cause some extra propensity for buzz? Will play around with it a bit more)

I also sent an email to Rainsong Customer Service. Will let you know what their response is.

Res Ipsa · #6 03-05-2015, 08:00 PM

MoonDoggie, I can't be sure if the strings always touched the TRC from day one.

I bought my Shorty from a previous owner and don't know if the nut slots were ever worked on. I did do a basic setup right away when I got it: I adjusted the truss rod for a slight bow in the neck, and I sanded down the saddle to lower the action. I don't get any fret buzz typically, unless I really dig in, but that could be due to playing style - I use a light fingerstyle approach to playing, no picks.

I did install a hand-cut single ply TRC at one time which was thin enough not to touch the strings -- cut it out of a plastic 3-ring binder cover using scissors -- it looked cool and I played it that way for awhile, but the screws were then too long to seat fully against the TRC, so the TRC itself was probably vibrating. I could have looked for shorter screws, but instead I put the stock TRC back on and I am enjoying the guitar as much as ever. Is the TRC's contact with the strings changing the way the guitar sounds? I don't know, but buzz is not happening here.

I'm interested in seeing what you discover.

Captain Jim · #7 03-05-2015, 10:41 PM

I am away from my guitar for a couple days - I'll check that for you when I can.

steelvibe · #8 03-05-2015, 11:50 PM

Bought my Shorty new from MacNichol. Yes, the A, D and G strings touch the TRC. Never really noticed that before but I'm glad that you brought it to my attention moondog. I can't get a good measurement of what is going on there but I cannot slide a piece of paper between those strings and the TRC.

I did know that RainSong has a a strikingly shallow break angle behind the nut. If there is buzz being caused by this, the solution may be to mark the TRC where the strings pass over and notch it since it seems that the 2 screws used to mount the plate closest to the nut would not be affected by this modification.

I too would like to know what RainSong has to say about it.

paganskins · #9 03-06-2015, 07:21 AM

Mine are certainly very close to touching, I managed to remove the TRC without loosening the strings though it was tricky what with tight clearance and the ferrules.

HeavyDuty · #10 03-06-2015, 09:04 AM

Yes, the stock cover touched the strings on my Shorty. My tuner change (to Gotoh locking tuners) solved the issue as a side benefit since they don't wrap the strings down the post.

kramster · #11 03-06-2015, 05:02 PM

Mine touch as well

Sscully · #12 03-06-2015, 09:46 PM

I just checked mine and the strings touch the TRC. I also never noticed it before but I have owned it since new and am just now ready for a string change. Must be the way they are.

moondoggie999 · #13 03-06-2015, 09:48 PM

Well this is good to know! I will update this thread as soon as I hear back from rainsong. Thanks everyone!!

PeteCady · #14 03-07-2015, 06:23 AM

My strings don't touch the truss rod cover because the cover is in a little pill jar in the accessory compartment in the case, until I get the setup fully straightened out (literally and figuratively). They did when I got it, though. Not sure if it makes any difference to the tone, but if makes a bit of a nuisance when you want to work with the truss rod.

Bug102 · #15 03-09-2015, 11:29 AM

My Rainsong Parlor had the same issue - I bought it new. One of the cover screws was touching a string. I didn't think it was a problem, but I didn't like the idea of it. I made a new cover out of rosewood and fitted it so I don't need the lower screws anymore.