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Joined:
May 2015
Posts: 22
| Hey guys, 'just picked up a near mint 1115-4 foil label slothead for a very good price with original brown case and all. The only thing is the action is way high... I removed the shims from the saddle, it helped but I wonder if I should start fiddling with the truss rod?
The previous owner seems to have put on the wrong type of strings which might not help either (almost like electric guitar strings).
Any advice from experts before I start tinkering?
Cheers,
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | The Truss Rod will not fix high action at the 12th Fret.
You can use the Truss Rod to fix relief around the 5th to 7th frets.
But if the action is high at the 12th fret, you may need a neck reset.
Now... If you mostly play up open chords like me, with a Bm thrown-in for good measure...
You can use the truss rod to change the relief a bit.
But be careful.
I once owned a Pacemaker that had a blow-out of the Skunk Stripe right at the Headstock/neck joint.
Right beneath the Truss Rod Cover.
A previous owner had tried to fix High Action with the Truss Rod... It didn't work.
I had to send that guitar for a Neck Reset at the MotherShip.
Those folks fixed all of the other stuff while it was there.
But just be careful about crankin' on the Truss Rod.
If you have removed all of the shims and the action is still too high, try lighter strings.
Try Martin Silk-n-Steel M200
Look at THIS tension chart from Martin.
M200 total tension is about 255lbs. Normal 80/20 Bronze strings are about 312lbs.
This chart also mentions M500 at 250lbs. But I haven't used them.
But they might be worth a try.
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Joined:
May 2015
Posts: 22
| Thanks a bunch Arthur for the advice; 'much appreciated!
A lighter set of strings is on my to do list as well (I'll look for the Martin you mentioned).
I was thinking of filing the saddle before playing with the truss rod but I might just tighten it slightly and see what happens.
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Joined:
June 2012
Posts: 2332
Location: Pueblo West, CO | There's two 'actions' on a guitar --bridge action, which, on an Ovation is adjusted by removing shims, and nut action, which needs to be adjusted by filing the slots in the nut.
Here's a link that talks about how to check nut action: http://frets.com/FretsPages/Musician/GenSetup/NutAction/nutaction.html You should always adjust the bridge action first, then fine-tune by adjusting the nut action. Doing it the other-way around can cause the strings to buzz. Dan |
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Joined:
May 2015
Posts: 22
| Thanks Dan! |
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Joined:
May 2015
Posts: 22
| Well, this is a new guitar!
Lighter set of strings and the saddle filed just a tad; now it feels and sounds like a classic Ovation...!
Thanks for the advice, this Pacemaker 12 string might become my main stage guitar.
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1115-4 Action?
