I have a question. Not sure if this is something that can be fixed or adjusted or if this i just the guitar. My Takamine 12 string had a bunch of dead notes. At first, I thought it was weak fingers, and to some degree it is. But I noticed it was fretting out. Dialed some relief in the truss and its MUCH better. However, a couple of days ago, I played some other 12 strings (a $600 Martin for one). I tried to stay in the same price ball park as I didnt want to compare mine to a guitar in a diff league.. Anyhow, the Martin and others, the strings were spongier feeling, softer under the fingers if you will and therefore MUCH easier to play. And the strings didnt seem to be a lighter guage. Any set up tips or fixes I can do to get that feel on my guitar?? Mine feels like that if I down tune, but I dont want to have to do that. Im guessing its just the way its made, but I thought Id ask.. Thanks!
Acoustic set up tips?
- Thread starter BloodRose
- Start date
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Acoustic set up tips?
One thing critical to 12-string set-up is the nut action. My Taks are set so that the fretted string at the third fret just BARELY clears the first fret.
I'm not sure about your Tak, but scale length is also a factor. I think my dread is 25.4", but Martin 12-strings are 24.9", I think. Seems subtle, but it does make a difference. Might investigate your scale length to see if this is a factor.
I hope this helps.
Bill
One thing critical to 12-string set-up is the nut action. My Taks are set so that the fretted string at the third fret just BARELY clears the first fret.
I'm not sure about your Tak, but scale length is also a factor. I think my dread is 25.4", but Martin 12-strings are 24.9", I think. Seems subtle, but it does make a difference. Might investigate your scale length to see if this is a factor.
I hope this helps.
Bill
Rand-O-Monium
New member
Re: Acoustic set up tips?
Any decent techs out there in teh sticks?
Any decent techs out there in teh sticks?
Re: Acoustic set up tips?
Havent found anyone yet. There is a music store here in town. I dunno. not sure if I want to sink any money in it to dr it up or return it and save alittle more for the martin or the taylor. They didnt have the taylor for me to try at guitar center. the martin didnt have electronics I dont think.. but I liked the spongier feel and it had a bassier tone.
Havent found anyone yet. There is a music store here in town. I dunno. not sure if I want to sink any money in it to dr it up or return it and save alittle more for the martin or the taylor. They didnt have the taylor for me to try at guitar center. the martin didnt have electronics I dont think.. but I liked the spongier feel and it had a bassier tone.
DrNewcenstein
He Did the Monster Mash
Re: Acoustic set up tips?
Electronics can be added easily. Soundhole pickups, under-saddle piezos, internal piezos, you name it. If you find a guitar that plays like you want, adding pickups won't change that.
On the other hand, if you find one that has the features you want but doesn't play well, it's far more work to change that, and you may hit the physical/design limits of the guitar long before you reach your goal.
You could try sanding down the bottom of the saddle for lower action, but you might then need to shim the nut, or have fretwork done to gradually step them down to alleviate buzzing. Somewhere around the 12th you may end up with a fretless wonder. Beyond that, just fretless.
Electronics can be added easily. Soundhole pickups, under-saddle piezos, internal piezos, you name it. If you find a guitar that plays like you want, adding pickups won't change that.
On the other hand, if you find one that has the features you want but doesn't play well, it's far more work to change that, and you may hit the physical/design limits of the guitar long before you reach your goal.
You could try sanding down the bottom of the saddle for lower action, but you might then need to shim the nut, or have fretwork done to gradually step them down to alleviate buzzing. Somewhere around the 12th you may end up with a fretless wonder. Beyond that, just fretless.
Re: Acoustic set up tips?
I imagine the scale length plays a large part. Obviously, I didnt think about that when I grabbed an played the guitar. So, yes, thought I may try lighter strings to compensate. I also played another couple of 12 strings that are in similar price bracket and with those, I was able to get barre chords and such to ring cleanly. I KNOW my fingers are weak, I dont play much accoustic and intend to change that. And when I play my Tak, I have a VERY hard time getting all the notes in the chord to ring cleanly. I figured it was just my weak fingers, and since getting the guitar, it has improved. However, I was getting a terrible amount of deadness and upon checking the strings were fretting out.. I dialed in some relief and that helped tremendously, but still have the issue to a degree. (so, I figured that was just all me) BUT.... When playing the other guitars at the shop the other day, I had almost had NO issues. Just a very small bit and mostly after I played awhile and my fingers got tired.. I know practice will eliminate that. Im not sure whether I should return it, or try to fix it. Mine at regular price, would have cost just $100 less than the Martin and the Taylor, and I got it for half price as I didnt want to spend that much for a 12 that I didnt figure Id play much.. However, spending time with this one, I belive I will play more often than I orig thought. So, I dunno. Sorry if Im rambling, Im bout half asleep. didnt sleep well last night..
I imagine the scale length plays a large part. Obviously, I didnt think about that when I grabbed an played the guitar. So, yes, thought I may try lighter strings to compensate. I also played another couple of 12 strings that are in similar price bracket and with those, I was able to get barre chords and such to ring cleanly. I KNOW my fingers are weak, I dont play much accoustic and intend to change that. And when I play my Tak, I have a VERY hard time getting all the notes in the chord to ring cleanly. I figured it was just my weak fingers, and since getting the guitar, it has improved. However, I was getting a terrible amount of deadness and upon checking the strings were fretting out.. I dialed in some relief and that helped tremendously, but still have the issue to a degree. (so, I figured that was just all me) BUT.... When playing the other guitars at the shop the other day, I had almost had NO issues. Just a very small bit and mostly after I played awhile and my fingers got tired.. I know practice will eliminate that. Im not sure whether I should return it, or try to fix it. Mine at regular price, would have cost just $100 less than the Martin and the Taylor, and I got it for half price as I didnt want to spend that much for a 12 that I didnt figure Id play much.. However, spending time with this one, I belive I will play more often than I orig thought. So, I dunno. Sorry if Im rambling, Im bout half asleep. didnt sleep well last night..
Rand-O-Monium
New member
Re: Acoustic set up tips?
If you're having too hard a time with it,send it back.
"Something" will come along,& you won't get irked everytime you look at it,try to play it,think about it,etc...
Just sayin'.
If you're having too hard a time with it,send it back.
"Something" will come along,& you won't get irked everytime you look at it,try to play it,think about it,etc...
Just sayin'.
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: Acoustic set up tips?
Just trying to determine something.... I know you like your shredtasic guitars, but an acoustic (and especially a 12 string) won't play like one. However, the difference between a properly setup acoustic and a poorly setup one is worlds apart. If this new one seems like it is "in the ballpark" for setup and it's really tough to play, but the Martin and Taylor are much easier to play, I'd probably suggest returning for one of the other guitars. If you have a compelling reason to keep this one, have a good luthier set it up, including nut height, saddle height, relief and fret leveling.
I'm just reflecting on my buddy that bought a D-15M for a steal because it was basically unplayable, then became an amazing guitar after a proper setup.
Just trying to determine something.... I know you like your shredtasic guitars, but an acoustic (and especially a 12 string) won't play like one. However, the difference between a properly setup acoustic and a poorly setup one is worlds apart. If this new one seems like it is "in the ballpark" for setup and it's really tough to play, but the Martin and Taylor are much easier to play, I'd probably suggest returning for one of the other guitars. If you have a compelling reason to keep this one, have a good luthier set it up, including nut height, saddle height, relief and fret leveling.
I'm just reflecting on my buddy that bought a D-15M for a steal because it was basically unplayable, then became an amazing guitar after a proper setup.
Re: Acoustic set up tips?
PFDarkside, Yeah, thats where the issue is for me. I want to make sure its not just me and weak fingers and all. Im used to electrics and because of lack of play time, dont have a ton of dexterity anyhow. So, dont want to send it back if its just me. And it made a world of diff when I adjusted the truss rod. I was figuring Id adapt to it with some time. However, the others, esp the Martin, played much easier and I didnt have the clunky note issues with those. Im not looking for an "easy out", I know Ill still have to build the dexterity to play length of time. But, Im afraid, (and I have rotten luck) that Ill keep it, the window of opp for return will be gone, and Ill still not be satisfied. The string height off the end of the board is quite a bit higher on this than some of the others, so, yes, prolly can be fixed with saddle filing and all that, I just dont want to start sinking a bunch of money in it either. Any idea what that kind of stuff may cost?? Ball park?
PFDarkside, Yeah, thats where the issue is for me. I want to make sure its not just me and weak fingers and all. Im used to electrics and because of lack of play time, dont have a ton of dexterity anyhow. So, dont want to send it back if its just me. And it made a world of diff when I adjusted the truss rod. I was figuring Id adapt to it with some time. However, the others, esp the Martin, played much easier and I didnt have the clunky note issues with those. Im not looking for an "easy out", I know Ill still have to build the dexterity to play length of time. But, Im afraid, (and I have rotten luck) that Ill keep it, the window of opp for return will be gone, and Ill still not be satisfied. The string height off the end of the board is quite a bit higher on this than some of the others, so, yes, prolly can be fixed with saddle filing and all that, I just dont want to start sinking a bunch of money in it either. Any idea what that kind of stuff may cost?? Ball park?
