ihasmario
09-04-2014, 04:30 PM
Hi guys,
I realise this is probably a community that is dominated by electric players, but I figured I'd post this thing here anyway, since it also includes some questions about finish, modification and general hardware.
I've got a 1991 Seagull SM-6 (spruce hog), it's in good condition cosmetically save a few things. It plays well (and sounds really, really good) but I want to try and set it up myself to get it playing even better. I've already started to a degree - and with some things I am less certain about, I have a sentimental-value-but-terrible-to-play guitar to practice on first.
I've already adjusted the truss rod myself - one little thing I like to do is set the relief to cut some excess of the high E and use that as a gauge if you are strapped for cash (as I very much am). I've attached a picture to show where the relief is at, in case anyone wants to comment on whether it's still too much.
The neck doesn't look straight - which gives me cause for concern. It sinks into the sound hole - however the bracing is still in place. The top of the neck also looks like it is slanting upward - but I seem to find that on every acoustic I have played. I can't say I have played a certifiably well-setup guitar though. However, the neck relief measurement is fine, and so is the first fret action. For that I like to push down the third or fourth fret and then push down at the first fret to see if it clicks. I've attached the picture of the sinking soundhole. You can see the fretboard curls down-ward.
Before I go into more drastic repairs for that problem (raising the body or adjusting the neck angle) I am going to try and increase the humidity in the case and see how that affects things. If worse comes to worst the neck angle will probably be done by a pro - but since it is a bolt-on neck, it's just a sanding job at the heel.
Some things I need help are on minimizing cosmetic damage/chips to the guitar. The guitar is finished in what I believe is nitro - but the finish is really thin and worn. There is a chip down the bottom end of the soundboard - which has penetrated the finish and also slightly into the wood. I expect it is from a case lid slamming shut and has been there since before I got it. How would you go about filling this in, would simply applying a finish over it and leveling it suffice? I tried to photograph it as best as I could with a flash.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/0ok5a-neckrelief.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/x66ua-sinkingfretboard.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/k03bh-ChipFinishWood.jpg
I realise this is probably a community that is dominated by electric players, but I figured I'd post this thing here anyway, since it also includes some questions about finish, modification and general hardware.
I've got a 1991 Seagull SM-6 (spruce hog), it's in good condition cosmetically save a few things. It plays well (and sounds really, really good) but I want to try and set it up myself to get it playing even better. I've already started to a degree - and with some things I am less certain about, I have a sentimental-value-but-terrible-to-play guitar to practice on first.
I've already adjusted the truss rod myself - one little thing I like to do is set the relief to cut some excess of the high E and use that as a gauge if you are strapped for cash (as I very much am). I've attached a picture to show where the relief is at, in case anyone wants to comment on whether it's still too much.
The neck doesn't look straight - which gives me cause for concern. It sinks into the sound hole - however the bracing is still in place. The top of the neck also looks like it is slanting upward - but I seem to find that on every acoustic I have played. I can't say I have played a certifiably well-setup guitar though. However, the neck relief measurement is fine, and so is the first fret action. For that I like to push down the third or fourth fret and then push down at the first fret to see if it clicks. I've attached the picture of the sinking soundhole. You can see the fretboard curls down-ward.
Before I go into more drastic repairs for that problem (raising the body or adjusting the neck angle) I am going to try and increase the humidity in the case and see how that affects things. If worse comes to worst the neck angle will probably be done by a pro - but since it is a bolt-on neck, it's just a sanding job at the heel.
Some things I need help are on minimizing cosmetic damage/chips to the guitar. The guitar is finished in what I believe is nitro - but the finish is really thin and worn. There is a chip down the bottom end of the soundboard - which has penetrated the finish and also slightly into the wood. I expect it is from a case lid slamming shut and has been there since before I got it. How would you go about filling this in, would simply applying a finish over it and leveling it suffice? I tried to photograph it as best as I could with a flash.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/0ok5a-neckrelief.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/x66ua-sinkingfretboard.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/k03bh-ChipFinishWood.jpg