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#1
05-10-2020, 04:32 PM
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Head angle and nut issue
I have acquired a custom guitar from someone and I'd like to get some professional feedback on the build. Currently the low E and B string sounds a bit dead compared to the other strings, as well slight buzzing on all strings no matter where I fret. There is literally no space at the nut/head compared to other guitars I have. You can see in the 4th image that grooves where cut in the truss rod plate to allow room for the strings to get through to the machine heads. I added a pic of a Martin OM to reference as a comparison. It appears the frets are quite low too.. your thoughts/observations.
As experience luthiers what do you see wrong here? What would you do to correct these issues? https://photos.app.goo.gl/iedz95p3MjUGYRGq6
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Ontario, Canada Martin D-35 -1975 Martin HD-28V-2009 Martin OM-18 Authentic 1933 Martin 000-41 Custom Adi/EIR 2007 Martin OM-28 Marquis 2010 Bourgeois OM Custom 2012 Boucher BG-52, 2018 Gibson J-45-2013 Taylor 414ce-L30-2004 Taylor 322e-12 fret-2017 Dobro Model 60-DS - 1975 Last edited by The Saint; 05-10-2020 at 07:40 PM. 
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#2
05-10-2020, 04:52 PM
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Martin 0-16NY Emerald Amicus Emerald X20 Cordoba Stage Some of my tunes: https://youtube.com/user/eatswodo
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#3
05-10-2020, 07:29 PM
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Your head angle looks acceptable to me. The problem is that the nut is buried too deeply relative to the head face. The actual problem is the head, not the nut. The nut should be more on it than in it. It is a conceptual construction issue.
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#4
05-10-2020, 07:52 PM
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Talk to the builder...
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Cheers Paul
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3 John Kinnaird SS 12c CUSTOMS: Big Maple/Cedar Dread Jumbo Spanish Cedar/WRC Jumbo OLD Brazilian RW/WRC R.T 2 12c sinker RW/Claro 96 422ce bought new! 96 LKSM 12 552ce 12x12 J. Stepick Bari Weissy WRC/Walnut More
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#5
05-10-2020, 08:33 PM
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1995 Maton EM725C - Solid 'A' Spruce Top, QLD Walnut B&S, AP5 Pickup 2018 Custom Built OM - Silver Quandong Top, Aussie Blackwood B&S, Fishman Matrix Infinity Mic Blend Pickup 2021 Faith Neptune Baritone - Solid Englemann Spruce Top, Solid Indonesian Rosewood B&S, Fishman INK3 Pickup 2022 Yamaha SLG200S Silent Guitar
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#6
05-10-2020, 09:02 PM
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This is really a case where an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The nut slots are also poorly cut and way too much nut is left above the string level. This makes for a nut that can be uncomfortable for the left hand if it contacts the nut edge while playing. IF the head is thick enough the real fix would be to plane away the ebony overlay and the underlying thick white layer, replacing the ebony overlay afterward. If you want the white contrast then it should be incorporated below the new ebony face overlay. It requires some re-work and refinishing the neck, but that's how I would do it. (As a luthier I'd consider it a lesson learned in woodshedding the design before cutting any lumber.) Having to cut slots in the truss rod cover should have been enough of a tip off. Anyone who builds instruments occasionally does something like this, so it's best to face it and fix it before it goes out to the customer. Last edited by Rudy4; 05-10-2020 at 09:14 PM.
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#7
05-10-2020, 10:46 PM
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Can't see the string trajectory from either end, can't really see the string height, can't see the relief in the neck, can't see the saddle. From your description on the dull sound and buzzing, I suspect the entire setup needs a major diagnosis and correction. Nut, truss rod, saddle, and quite possibly some leveling and crowning of the frets.
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Edwinson
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#8
05-11-2020, 08:28 AM
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It looks like the frets are already ground down a good bit and the nut (maybe) too low so I'd say it's worth taking in to a solid repair/setup person and having them give it a look over. My guess is it might need a re-fret but there so much at play it's best to get an in person analysis.
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#9
05-11-2020, 03:40 PM
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You say you acquired this guitar I'm assuming you hadn't ordered it custom yourself. I don't believe it came that way new from Blackwood.
I think it may have been mistreated...environmentally.. or by someone who tried some adjustment attempt at lowering action maybe? And tried to compensate by cutting those slots in truss rod cover and filing the heck out of the nut.
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#10
05-11-2020, 06:13 PM
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A new setup would go a long way to get this guitar straightened out.
I agree with all the above comments. Two items it depends on are whether you need the truss rod cover on for aesthetic reasons and how low you want your action. The nut seems to be the main culprit for your buzzing. The channels are too small on the low e then get progressively too large. It also looks like the angle of the channel is off and a little low as well. I dont think your surgery needs to be massive necessarily. If you can have the cover off and higher action you might be able to get away with getting a new nut. Taking it to a local shop for a diagnostic and setup first is the best idea
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#11
05-12-2020, 03:39 PM
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__________________
Ontario, Canada Martin D-35 -1975 Martin HD-28V-2009 Martin OM-18 Authentic 1933 Martin 000-41 Custom Adi/EIR 2007 Martin OM-28 Marquis 2010 Bourgeois OM Custom 2012 Boucher BG-52, 2018 Gibson J-45-2013 Taylor 414ce-L30-2004 Taylor 322e-12 fret-2017 Dobro Model 60-DS - 1975
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#12
05-12-2020, 03:54 PM
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Custom Build
I would not accept a custom order that showed up like that, with the headstock built up too high, the slots cut into the truss rod cover as a band-aid fix, and a nut that does not appear to be carved correctly. I would ask the luthier to repair it by building a new neck and headstock that correctly fits the guitar.
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John Tucson, AZ 2020 Kraut 00, Swiss/Brazilian, build 2018 Eady EG Pro Electric, Redwood/Mahogany 2013 Baranik Meridian, Blue Spruce/Cocobolo, build 2008 Baranik CX, Blue Spruce/African Blackwood 2008 Breedlove A20 Masterclass 12-string, Adi/IRW 2003 Thames classical, Euro/Brazilian Fodera Standard 4 Fretless bass, figured walnut
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#13
05-12-2020, 05:12 PM
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The thick peghead veneer is the culprit, but the other factor is the layout of the peghead face. Older Martins have the peghead angle beginning at the end of the fingerboard, with the nut sitting on the slope. This lowers the peghead face slightly, allowing for a thicker veneer.
A simple solution would be to rout a channel and inlay the truss rod cover at least partially, if not the full thickness. This also may require a thinner truss rod cover. As long as the strings are not actually touching the peghead face or the truss rod cover, a proper setup should be achievable. Buzzing of fretted notes is not normally a nut problem, unless it is a back buzz you are hearing. Back buzz is where the string is buzzing against the frets between the fretting finger and the nut. This can be remedied by increasing relief, or by raising the nut slightly. Also make sure the strings are not buzzing against the truss rod cover.
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#14
05-13-2020, 05:27 AM
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If that's acceptable workmanship to the builder, it would make me question the build quality of the rest of the instrument.
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Bill Guitars: 1910's Larson/Stetson 1 size guitar 1920 Martin 1-28 1987 Martin Schoenberg Soloist 2006 Froggy Bottom H-12 Deluxe 2016 Froggy Bottom L Deluxe 2021 Blazer and Henkes 000-18 H 2015 Rainsong P12 2017 Probett Rocket III 2006 Sadowsky Semi Hollow 1993 Fender Stratocaster Bass: 1993 Sadowsky NYC 5 String Mandolin: Weber Bitterroot
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