Lowering the action Martin?

drofluf · August 2019

^with due respect to everyone that is probably the best piece of advice in this thread, reversible and will help to diagnose what the problem is.

TimmyO · August 2019

Nope : Relief -> Nut -> Saddle

Pablocrackers · August 2019

Ill get the tools out and report back lol! Im not a stickler for numbers when i set up my electrics ill use the manufacturers guidelines but after that its all personal ill play it and set it where i like it best

drofluf · August 2019

TimmyO said:

Nope : Relief -> Nut -> Saddle

Sorry, my mistake. Drugged on flu medication has addled my brain. Thanks for the correction

Strat_a_tat_tat · August 2019

TimmyO said:

Nope : Relief -> Nut -> Saddle

Yes... this.

GTC · August 2019

Pablocrackers said:

Ill get the tools out and report back lol! Im not a stickler for numbers when i set up my electrics ill use the manufacturers guidelines but after that its all personal ill play it and set it where i like it best

I'd forget about manufacturers guidelines - which are usually based on average to heavier playing styles. If you've never set up an acoustic guitar before then I would recommend taking it to an experience technician, discussing stuff with him like your playing style, string and tuning choice - and asking him to explain what he'll do and why.

Setting up a guitar isn't difficult, but it is a patient balancing act in which experience helps a lot.

If you want to try your own set ups then I'd recommend picking up a real cheap guitar to practice on rather than starting with a Martin OM28

fretfinder · August 2019

I presume it’s not an OM28V as they have an elongated glued-in saddle, so you can’t remove the saddle and sand its bottom! Not sure how one would lower the action on one of those if neck relief and nut tweaking weren’t enough, without major surgery.

Lewy · August 2019

fretfinder said:

I presume it’s not an OM28V as they have an elongated glued-in saddle, so you can’t remove the saddle and sand its bottom! Not sure how one would lower the action on one of those if neck relief and nut tweaking weren’t enough, without major surgery.

It’s pretty straightforward - you remove the material from the top instead of the bottom.

brucegill · August 2019

Pablocrackers said:

Yeh i see the confusion in how i wrote that. Its 1mm at the 10th when i fret first n last fret the relief if fine. The action seems high to me its around 5mm at the 12th fret without fretting anywhere (eyeballing it only) havent got access to my tools now

I’d test the relief between the 1st and 14th on an acoustic. Unless it’s a 12 fret... not first and last. Just find the highest area between those two frets. If it’s 1mm, then that’s a huge relief and you’ll get a much nicer action once set correctly.

If if you do the above and then what ToneControl has suggested, you’ll know more and be able to get some advice.

Id get something like this to get you measurements though
https://www.jp-guitars.co.uk/sales/tools/investigating_and_measuring/string_action_gauge_inches.htm
Loads of cheaper options to this, but you’d need to look into it.

Funkfingers · August 2019

Martin’s recommended action above the twelfth fret is higher than some others - possibly to cover their arses against fret rattles.

As a rule, Martin guitars give of their best when played hard. i.e. Considerably more effort than required for electric guitar with light gauge strings.

RandallFlagg · August 2019

Funkfingers said:

Martin’s recommended action above the twelfth fret is higher than some others - possibly to cover their arses against fret rattles.

As a rule, Martin guitars give of their best when played hard. i.e. Considerably more effort than required for electric guitar with light gauge strings.

What is Martin's recommended action at 12th fret? I've not come across it.

Lewy · August 2019

RandallFlagg said:

Funkfingers said:

Martin’s recommended action above the twelfth fret is higher than some others - possibly to cover their arses against fret rattles.

As a rule, Martin guitars give of their best when played hard. i.e. Considerably more effort than required for electric guitar with light gauge strings.

What is Martin's recommended action at 12th fret? I've not come across it.

They have a tolerance range of 3/32” to 7/64” low e and 2/32” to 5/64” high e.

RandallFlagg · August 2019

Lewy said:

RandallFlagg said:

Funkfingers said:

Martin’s recommended action above the twelfth fret is higher than some others - possibly to cover their arses against fret rattles.

As a rule, Martin guitars give of their best when played hard. i.e. Considerably more effort than required for electric guitar with light gauge strings.

What is Martin's recommended action at 12th fret? I've not come across it.

They have a tolerance range of 3/32” to 7/64” low e and 2/32” to 5/64” high e.

OK thanks

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Lowering the action Martin?

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