Toronto area Ric Tech?
Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 2:38 pm
I posted over on the vintage forum about a guitar I just picked up ('65 340-12). The neck/setup has something goofy going on with it and I can't quite figure it out. It is driving me insane.
I can't get notes to play cleanly, especially on the bass side of the neck. I can't get the action low enough for my taste without a lot of buzzing and choking notes, especially on the bass side. It is worst on the lower notes on the bass side, particularly on the low E string pair. I think I can see with my eye either a hump around the 2nd to 6th frets on the bass side, or a bow from the 6th fret on. The treble side looks pretty flat by comparison. Loosening the bass side truss rod helped the bass notes to be a bit clearer, when I got the guitar they were choking almost completely. I don't think that is the best solution though, because I don't want to increase the bow higher up in the neck.
Also, the bridge does not have a lot more room to lower but the action is still on the high side. How do I tell if that is the neck angle or if it is from the nut being high or something else I haven't thought of?
When I got the guitar I thought my problems all stemmed from the nut which was too high and moving around. The new nut I got cut is still a little high, although I suspect with the neck being the way it is a lower nut would buzz more.
I have seen a lot of threads where people are taking off the strings and loosening the rods, allowing the neck to right itself. Is that a possible solution for me? Any other suggestions?
Also can anyone recommend a luthier/tech in the Toronto/Southern Ontario area who knows Ricks? I have had a lot of disappointing experiences with techs in Toronto over the years and I am more wary with this guitar than any I have owned previously
I know how well these can play and I want to do whatever it takes to get it in top shape!
Thanks!
I can't get notes to play cleanly, especially on the bass side of the neck. I can't get the action low enough for my taste without a lot of buzzing and choking notes, especially on the bass side. It is worst on the lower notes on the bass side, particularly on the low E string pair. I think I can see with my eye either a hump around the 2nd to 6th frets on the bass side, or a bow from the 6th fret on. The treble side looks pretty flat by comparison. Loosening the bass side truss rod helped the bass notes to be a bit clearer, when I got the guitar they were choking almost completely. I don't think that is the best solution though, because I don't want to increase the bow higher up in the neck.
Also, the bridge does not have a lot more room to lower but the action is still on the high side. How do I tell if that is the neck angle or if it is from the nut being high or something else I haven't thought of?
When I got the guitar I thought my problems all stemmed from the nut which was too high and moving around. The new nut I got cut is still a little high, although I suspect with the neck being the way it is a lower nut would buzz more.
I have seen a lot of threads where people are taking off the strings and loosening the rods, allowing the neck to right itself. Is that a possible solution for me? Any other suggestions?
Also can anyone recommend a luthier/tech in the Toronto/Southern Ontario area who knows Ricks? I have had a lot of disappointing experiences with techs in Toronto over the years and I am more wary with this guitar than any I have owned previously
I know how well these can play and I want to do whatever it takes to get it in top shape! Thanks!