High action at the 1st fret means that the nut string slots aren't cut deep enough.
You have the options of:
1) Removing the nut, filing the bottom down a bit, put it back (without glueing), string up again to tension, then see how it feels. Repeat until it's low enough to play properly. If you file too much off, either stick a piece of veneer under the nut, or buty another nut and repeat the process.
2) Buying some nut files and cut the slots to the right depth yourself. Worthwhile if you plan on making several more guitars, but a good set will cost you around AUD$200 or more.
3) Take it to a luthier to set up. A decent one will do it without any questions. A poor one will say they don't work on kit guitars (it does happen).
You may well also need to adjust the truss rod and maybe even level the frets to get a really good action. It's all fairly easy stuff, but fret levelling again requires purchasing some appropriate specialist tools. Cost-effective and satisfying if you plan to make more guitars, but for a single guitar finding a luthier is a better option. Or there may be a forum member with the skills and kit fairly near you (where are you?), whom I'm sure would be glad to help.
Thanks so much. I am in Randwick Sydney. I will post something general to see if someone wants to help me out.
My next problem is the pick up height.
Per the above photos, my neck pick up is sitting nice and low. But my bridge pick up is very close to the strings. When I am on the amp - the sound is very different from the two pick ups.
What sort of distance should they be sitting apart from the strings?
Probably 2-3mm for a humbucker with the strings pressed down at the highest fret.
It's OK to lower the humbucker so that it's level with the top of the ring, but you don't want it any lower.
You may need to take the ring off and sand it down. Just put sandpaper face up on top of the guitar where the pickup goes and rub away. The profile will then be right, so you don't get any gaps between the bottom of the ring and the guitar.
Last edited by Simon Barden; 16-11-2019 at 05:34 PM.
Thanks mate. Am all done. Looks and sounds amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed this project. Thank you for all the support along the way - what an amazing community. Am doing the Bigsby Hollow-body next.
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