Views on Used CA GXi with LR Braggs Stage Pro

[gotterdammarung]

Hey guys,

I am new to carbon fibre.

I am considering to purchase a used CA GXi with LR Braggs stage pro element pickup. Problem is that I have a few issues:

1. Action is too high:
The distance between top of fret and bottom of string is about 3.5mm (9/64) for the low E and 2.5mm (around 7/64) for the high E. This is too high for me and most players I reckon (in particular the high E strong) and I am looking to lower it a fair bit to up to 6/64 on the low E perhaps.

I understand that there is no truss rod for CA. The saddle looks like there is room for filing.

Should I get a lutheir to file the saddle to suit the action I desire? Even if I do so, could you advise if there is something wrong with the neck, hence the problem may return the next time around even if I file the saddle to lower the action now?


2. Does anyone know which year model this belongs to? Is it pre peavey? serial number states GXi209302-1.

3. when looking into the offset soundhole, i can see "layered" cloth like materials with some creases. Is it normal in a CF guitar?

4 The seller is selling it in a generic soft case. From online, this should come with the CA hard case right?

5. Any comments on the LR Braggs Stage Pro Element "barndoor" pick up? It sounds great acoustically but plugged into my micro cube (no acoustic amp as of now, have just conerted to acoustics) dialed flat in MIC or acoustic mode, sounds artificial and unlike its natural sound. Also the volume knob of the LR Baggs does not seem to work (no input) until after 3/4s of the level up. Is this to be expected?


6. What is the usual street price for this guitar, in view of the above description

Sorry for the multitude of queries. Am pretty new to this and would like to find out more about CF guitars and buty the right one as I think I'm gonna be using them far more than the rest that I own.

Esteemed views are appreciated. Thank you in advance!

[Doubleneck]

The purchase comes down to one question in my mind. Why is this guitar at 9/64 on the low E. That is out of factory specs. CAs did have some guitars with neck angle problems and this may be one. With CF once it's done its done, and no truss rod to help. You can check neck angle with a straight edge. You will need plenty of saddle to sand down enough to correct this. Check the relief to see if its normal. If you can't do this take it to a good tech before you buy. On the surface its tells me you will probably want to walk away. Really good action for me is essential.

[billyg]

I agree with doubleneck. I also found the Baggs pickup in that particular model to be somewhat artificial.

[just_Chan]

Originally Posted by gotterdammarung

I am considering to purchase a used CA GXi with LR Braggs stage pro element pickup. Problem is that I have a few issues:

1. Action is too high:

2. Does anyone know which year model this belongs to? Is it pre peavey? serial number states GXi209302-1.

3. when looking into the offset soundhole, i can see "layered" cloth like materials with some creases. Is it normal in a CF guitar?

4 The seller is selling it in a generic soft case. From online, this should come with the CA hard case right?

5. Any comments on the LR Braggs Stage Pro Element "barndoor" pick up?

6. What is the usual street price for this guitar, in view of the above descriptio

GXi209302-1 is pre-Peavey: made in 2009 on the 302th day, first piece
it's also Road Tough finish, so it should come in a gig bag instead of hard case for high gloss finishing (do you really need hard case for carbon fibre? )

I got mine back in 2011 , used, at 1200 bucks … not sure if the pricing comparison is useful

For the action, I'm an aggressive strummer and I use extra light strings. So action is OK for me … so

[Doubleneck]

9/64 could be fine for some people and maybe this was set up after market for a agressive strummer but it way off factory specs and you need to know why.

[mchalebk]

9/64" is high for the low E. Personally, I can live with 7/64", though 6/64" ought to be possible. If you were to lower it to 7/64" or 6/64", you would need to lower the saddle by 3/32" or 2/32". Is there enough saddle to accomplish that and still have a decent break angle?

Do you have any idea what gauge strings are on it? If mediums, and you play lights, you might try restringing it and re-measuring. There is some flex in the neck and heavier strings will increase the relief, thus making the action higher.

I don't have experience with the Baggs StagePro preamp, but I do have experience with the Element pickup itself. It's fine for what it is, an undersaddle piezo pickup. It sounds pretty similar to most USTs. If you end up buying the guitar, but don't like the system, you could try replacing it with the StagePro Anthem.

[mchalebk]

If that is the Road Tough (RT) finish, it would have come with a gig bag (as already mentioned). New, that guitar would probably have cost something like $1700 or $1800. I would think used, in good condition, they would go for something in the $1200 range, though that can vary a great deal.

[Doubleneck]

Good point about have heavier strings on it but I doubt that medium strings would affect it 2/64? I had a Legacy and tried mediums once I thick it moved but barely.

[mchalebk]

I don't think mediums would make a 2/64" change, but it might make 1/64". At that point, it's approaching the realm of reasonable and you'd only need to take 1/32" off the saddle to get it to 7/64" or 2/32" to get it to 6/64".

[Ted @ LA Guitar Sales]

My only concern would be the action height, are you buying this guitar long distance or locally? If it's a local sale than check the string gauge and saddle height. Mediums can be changed to lights and if there's enough saddle the action can be brought down. The electronics are basic, only you know if they will work for you.

[gotterdammarung]

hi, thanks for all your helpful replies, including inputs on the manufacture date, electronics and action, and resale prices.

Yes, definitely out of factory specs which is stated to be 5/64 on the CA website. Think seller said he usually uses heavy strings and just changed to medium, but action is still high. It's worth a try though.

I am looking more at filing it down to 5/64 on the Low E 12th fret, and mchalebk is probably right about whether the saddle can be filed down enough to compensate.

Assuming the flaws can be fixed now, I am more concerned whether there is a longer term problem with the guitar. With CF, i am looking at no maintenance at all, meaning I will leave the guitar with strings tuned to concert pitch all the time, in the house or car. If the action could deviate so much from 5/64 (factory setting) to 9/64 even if heavy gauge strings were used.

After all isn't the neck supposed to be rigid and not warp/change in time even with constant string tension? Back to the age long question whether truss rods are necessary!

Another issue with barndoor pick ups on acoustics - are they standard size so it's easy to do a swap?

[Doubleneck]

Factory standard for the old CA company was 6/64. Peavey tightened it up to 5/64. I think in part because of set up issues at the old factory. Necks are pretty rigid but they can flex a little. You also can have the heavier strings pull the top up as well. I believe Rainsong said this can be an issue with going to heavier strings. They make their guitars for light gauge. I just have a hard time believing the owner went to heavy gauge strings? Medium maybe. I buy mainly used guitars and this issue is the main one I fear. Not saying it can't be fixed but make sure. If someone told me their setup was 9/64 I would have walked away quickly. Too many used guitars out there to risk it.

[Ted @ LA Guitar Sales]

Originally Posted by Doubleneck

Factory standard for the old CA company was 6/64. Peavey tightened it up to 5/64...

Just an FYI Steve, 6/64th for the low E at the 12 fret is pretty much standard for Martin, Taylor, Larrivee and SCGC, and I feel this height is optimum for most players. Are you sure Peavey went to 5/64th? Seems a bit low to me for anything but fingerstyle.

[mchalebk]

From the "Composite Acoustics Detailed Specifications":

E6-3/32”
A5-3/32”
D4-3/32”
G3-5/64”
B2-5/64”
E1-5/64”

So it's 5/64" for the high E, 6/64" for the low E. I thought 5/64" for the low E sounded a bit low for the average player.

[Ted @ LA Guitar Sales]

Originally Posted by mchalebk

From the "Composite Acoustics Detailed Specifications":

E6-3/32”
A5-3/32”
D4-3/32”
G3-5/64”
B2-5/64”
E1-5/64”

So it's 5/64" for the high E, 6/64" for the low E. I thought 5/64" for the low E sounded a bit low for the average player.

That makes much more sense Brian, it's basically the same as what it was when I was selling them for the original CA.