RobF -> RE: How to loosen a top? (Sep. 27 2019 18:34:39)
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Hi Jason, I don’t see any benefit to replacing the top unless you have a fairly good idea of where you went wrong. Otherwise it’s a crapshoot, without more experience how will you determine what you should be doing differently on the new one? I think let common sense dictate your strategy. What are the knowns? For a starter, the string height at the saddle is a problem that won’t solve itself. If anything, this can get worse over the next couple of years so why not bite the bullet and address it now? It could be the subject for a new thread. It’s also pretty normal for a new maker to overbuild a bit, so adjustments to the braces could be beneficial, especially since the plan accounts for the possibility in its dimensions. Did you triangulate them, as shown in the plan? But, unless you are certain the top is overbuilt, adjusting it before addressing the string height issue may be putting the cart before the horse. The string height at the bridge is a prime dimension from which the others follow, IMO, so it’s good to try to meet that target. Not easy to always achieve and not the end of the world if you end up a little higher, but too low is not so good. Finally, have you given the guitar a fair chance? I had very high expectations for the first flamenco I made. It was my third or fourth guitar and I made it in Spain under the tutelage of a very competent teacher. When I first strung it up in the shop I gave it a strum and murmured “This guitar sounds like sh*t!”. I was only disappointed in myself, but unfortunately the teacher overheard me and I think it hurt his feelings, too, which I really regretted. So then I was mad at myself not just for making a crappy sounding guitar but also for being ungracious to my teacher. Long story short, I still have that guitar. It came alive over the years and is now an excellent instrument, not just good, but top drawer. There was never anything wrong with how it was built, at all. It was simply green (as was I) and needed some time to develop its voice. So maybe your new guitar also just needs a bit of time to find its way. But the string height issue should be addressed, IMO, if you can at all see your way clear to doing it.
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