Action question

rife33 · Post by **rife33** » Thu Oct 30, 2003 10:55 am

I want to get the action lowered on my guitar. I have a Martin 16RGTE and I'm worried that the guitar guy may fuck it up or something when he's working on it. Has anyone ever gotten their action lowered? Is it a pretty painless procedure, or is it possible for them to screw up your guitar?

taylordb · Post by **taylordb** » Thu Oct 30, 2003 11:11 am

I guess it is possible to screw anything up if you think about it, but if you take it to a reputable guitar technician it should be a painless process. I had it done and it was painless. He should ask you several questions regarding how you play the guitar, etc. to get a better feel for where the action should be; lower is not always better. Good luck.

Appfro · Post by **Appfro** » Thu Oct 30, 2003 11:16 am

since you have a martin, go to a real martin dealer...that way if they fuck it up, you have the lifetime warrenty.

Duffman · Post by **Duffman** » Thu Oct 30, 2003 1:10 pm

can't you just shave the nut down a little? (i think its called the nut)

Steve-O · Post by **Steve-O** » Thu Oct 30, 2003 1:15 pm

You mean the saddle?

grock · Post by **grock** » Thu Oct 30, 2003 1:28 pm

that's exactly what they do to lower the action. they shave the saddle. i've done this on my guitars before but last time i bought a guitar i had a tech do it for me to tell the difference and he did a good job. sounds about as good as any job i have done.

the only way they can screw up is by shaving it too low. if this is the case it can be shimmed up but a good fix would be to install a new saddle and do it right.

mbgreen · Post by **mbgreen** » Thu Oct 30, 2003 1:29 pm

Duffman wrote:can't you just shave the nut down a little? (i think its called the nut)

I wouldnt advise doing this at all. The high action could be the result of improper neck tension, warping...who knows. Its usually not serious, but its better just to take it into a luthier so youre sure.

(Unless you really know what youre doing.)

rife33 · Post by **rife33** » Thu Oct 30, 2003 1:48 pm

Thanks for all the input. There's no way I would try to lower it on my own. I guess I'll take it to Guitar Center (that's where I bought it). Hopefully it won't be much more than $60.

cpowell21 · Post by **cpowell21** » Thu Oct 30, 2003 2:14 pm

If you bought it there it should be free. At least thats how it was where I boght mine. They did any little customizing things like that for free.

Steve-O · Post by **Steve-O** » Thu Oct 30, 2003 2:42 pm

A whole neck and action adjustment should't be more than 30 bucks.

felix · Post by **felix** » Thu Oct 30, 2003 11:16 pm

how long ago did you get it? just take it to the place where you bought it and tell them you need it set up. i took my 16rgt where i bout it and got the action lowered and they did a fine job. no buzzing or any other problems.