Post by Spock on Jul 29, 2004 19:36:34 GMT -5
12 string guitars really sound great, the action can be a bit slow, but a truss rod adjustment helps
The extra pull on the neck is quite real, So it only makes sense to down tune a 12 string 1/2 or a whole step
After downtining, you will notice that the action is flat, the strings sit closer to the fretboard.
This can be a problem, because it may make the guitar sound dead, A result of the strings hitting on frets other than the fret being played.
So you should bring the strings up higher from the fret board , by adjusting the truss rod .
The adjustment should be to add more tension andd bend the neck foeward , a slight bit more.
This will bring back the bright crisp clean sound you want from the guitar
If the action is too high , the guitar will become hard to play , you will have to press to hard on the strings to get them down to frets , resulting in sore fingers and , suffering from arm and hand fatique, after only a few songs ,
In this case lower the strings slightly by flattening out the neck with the truss rod , releasing some of the tension.
If the truss rod adjustments do not help
then look closely at the bridge , and the nut, they may be worn or even cracked..
The bridge is an easy replacement, sandpaper the new bridge into a suitable size.
The nut on the other hand is a rather difficult to to do at home, all the grooves must be the correct width and depth, and set at the correct angle as well as have the proper spacing between the strings, Then the nut itself must be set at the proper heigth and position laterally.
If you are going to attempt this at home , purchase a couple of blank nuts , because you will probably make a mistake or two on the initial nut.
I am preparing to do a nut replacement , As I consider all the details that must be addressed , I wish It were possible to order a new nut for this 12 string, but it is not. The one bright spot is the guitar has a zero fret which will correct for any grooves that may be slightly too deep TEXT
