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Hello - luthiers. I few weeks ago I played a flamenco guitar with very low action. It sounded nice, but was a bit buzzy. Weeks later, I thought about buying it, but asked the seller to raise the action. He raised it basically to "classical action". i'd say he brought it up 1 - 2cm from where it was.
Strangely, the guitar felt less powerful and responsive. Less volume even.
Is this possible or is it my memory playing tricks?
Posts: 401
Joined: Mar. 5 2010
From: Caves Beach Australia
RE: Action-responsiveness question (in reply to turnermoran)
Perhaps the strings were older the second time you tried it, if they have been loosened and tightened a few times during action adjustment the basses could have lost their brilliance
Posts: 597
Joined: Jan. 14 2007
From: York, England
RE: Action-responsiveness question (in reply to turnermoran)
To bring the action up he must have made a new saddle. It may not fit like the previous one, so the sound and response could easily be different. I find that the saddle is a crucial element in the response of a guitar
RE: Action-responsiveness question (in reply to turnermoran)
2 possibilities:
1) Your memory
2) Bringing up the action 1 - 2cm is absurd. Did you mean 1 - 2mm? If it was 1 - 2cm, the the breakangle would be so steep that it would tilt the bridge so much that the guitar would "choke" and not sound well
RE: Action-responsiveness question (in reply to Anders Eliasson)
Sorry everyone: it was more like .5 cm. ... maybe .75.
I think it was memory, and the fact that I brought a comparison guitar this time.
And yes, perhaps the strings were older.
Here's a question though: Does the onset of humid conditions take the life out of a guitar just a bit?
When I played the guitar, it was a dry summer. Not it's rainy season, and it was a foggy day at that.
I've noticed lately that my guitars don't seem to have much punch..but maybe it's me. Or the strings, etc etc But do guitars absorb water and become less responsive??
Posts: 797
Joined: Jun. 1 2010
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia
RE: Action-responsiveness question (in reply to turnermoran)
quote:
Here's a question though: Does the onset of humid conditions take the life out of a guitar just a bit?
When I played the guitar, it was a dry summer. Not it's rainy season, and it was a foggy day at that.
I've noticed lately that my guitars don't seem to have much punch..but maybe it's me. Or the strings, etc etc But do guitars absorb water and become less responsive??
In my experience, yes. My guitars have always sounded best at around 30-60% RH. I've definitely noticed them sounding more restrained in higher humidity. I try to control humidity inside the case, and my heat pump does a good job of keeping humidity low in the summer.
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