C. Vega -> RE: Fixing action on old guitar? (Aug. 9 2012 20:09:49)
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Bruno (C. Bruno and Co.) was a big Chicago-based importer, wholesaler and distributor, not a guitar manufacturer. "Ventura" was just one of their numerous house brand names. This guitar was made in a Japanese factory and unlikely to have been constructed in the Spanish fashion. It's most likely a dovetail neck-to-body joint or possibly even a doweled butt joint. At this point the break angle over the saddle appears to be woefully inadequate. Removing some wood from the inner lip of the saddle block so that the strings clear it and drilling the tie block with six more holes and using a different system of tying the strings (or using those goofy looking beads) will help a little. Personally, I wouldn't put much time, effort or money into such an instrument but if you just want to play around with it yourself, by all means have fun. If it doesn't work out it can still serve as a wall hanger. Older Japanese factory guitars like these usually weren't built with flamenco geometry, no matter what the ad copy may have said. Most often they were built exactly the same as the classical models but made with different veneers on the outside of the plywood backs and sides and maybe a little change in decoration. The bridges and action were way too high and the neck angles incorrect even when they were new and years of settling in, necks pulling up or warping from tension, etc. haven't helped much. Should you or anyone else attempt to remove the neck, be forewarned that some of those Asian glues can be very tenacious. It may even be attached with epoxy. I'd also suggest going to Frank Ford's excellent website www.frets.com and read his photo-illustrated articles on neck resetting and straightening. Attempting to straighten the neck with weights isn't going to do a damn thing, at least not anything that will last more than a few minutes once the strings are brought up to tension.
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