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November 2002
Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | Hello everyone. I got a beautiful Pacemaker 12 string in today. I need help in setting the action. The guitar does not have a pickup, and their are no shims under the saddle. The action can come down quite a bit at the bridge, but how do I measure this? I mean I can file the saddle down, but how do I know how far to go? I hate to have to keep tuning the strings down everytime to get the saddle out. Is there away that I can determine how much of the saddle to remove witout trail and error? Are do I have to file down abit and keep trying till I get the action I want? Thanks....Paul Hebert |
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June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | Paul,
I've gone through the same thing. Maybe others know a more analytical approach, but for me it was trial and error. I would suggest the following. First, be sure your neck is properly adjusted. Lowering the saddle will not fix a bowed or warper neck. Remove the saddle and color the bottom edge of it with a felt tip Sharpie marker. Sand the bottom of the saddle evenly only until you have removed the marker. This will prevent you from sanding it too far or sanding it unevenly. Install it and check the action. If needed, repeat the whole process. If you end up sanding too far (I did) you can install a homemade shim. BTW, since you will end up installing the 12 strings each multiple times a good string winder will make your life easier. I fitted one onto one of those Black and Decker electric screwdrivers. Just call me lazy.
Dave
Worst case if you really screw it up, a replacement saddle is pretty cheap. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15686
Location: SoCal | I'd personally take the lazy man's approach. Find a good acoustic repair guy and take the guitar to him. If his first words are derogatory about Ovations, find somebody else. For $50-$80 the neck can be adjusted, the action set, and you'll be happy with your guitar. |
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November 2002
Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | Paul, yours is good advice indeed. But around here there are no good local repairmen. I sure wish there was someone local I could trust. Thanks guys....Paul Hebert |
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November 2002
Posts: 3666
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | OK, here's the Reader's Digest version:
Capo @ 1st fret, depress bass string @ 14th fret, measure string clearance @ 7th fret. Should be somewhere between .005 to .025, using a set of feeler gauges. Loosen (usually counterclockwise) truss rod to increase clearance, tighten to decrease clearance.
Remove capo. Measure bass string clearance at 12th fret- should be 3/16, or lower. If not, loosen strings, and use the aforementioned "marker" technique (use a pencil point- you will remove less material on the bottom of the saddle). Yes, there is a certain amount of trial & error. Have some extra treble strings- they usually fatigue the fastest with repeated tensioning. If you're real lucky, you will get it close the first time. Play the instrument for a week, then repeat this procedure. You should be happy as a pig in slop at that point! |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 3666
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | Pictures: http://webpages.charter.net/bricli/EasyAction/trussrod.html
Good Luck! |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | Hey guys I have reached 12 string bliss! I filed the saddle down a bit, and loosen the truss rod a little and bingo, it plays great! I was having buzzes at the first fret, and the neck was over adjusted. Man the truss rod nut was tight. Someone had really screwed that thing tight. Now my Pacemaker plays as well as my Adamas. Action is nice and low with no buzzes. I can't put the guitar down. Well speaking of that, I gota go jam on it some more!.....Paul Hebert |
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March 2002
Posts: 15686
Location: SoCal | Paul,
What do you think of the sound of your Pacemaker, unplugged? I've always felt that they didn't have enough bass, but most of the one's I've played had dead strings. |
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November 2002
Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | Paul, the guitar sounds awesome. VERY LOUD! In fact I was playing it last night, and my girlfriend asked me why it was so loud. I put a new set of Elixer 12 string light gauge on it, and it is wonderful. I find the sound very even, nothing jumps out at you. Plenty of bass for me. Only one problem, that slothead sure is a pain in the rear to restring. Thats why I love Elixers. New strings made that old 12 string come to life....Paul Hebert |
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February 2003
Posts: 2178
Location: the BIG Metropolis of TR | Hey Paul,
Glad to hear you got it adjusted and you're happy. :)
I guess that means your brothers is S.O.L.!! :D
Mike :cool: |
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February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | Paul (Moody, there's way too many Pauls here) I aggree, most of the fan-braced, slot-head, deep-bowl 12 strings I've heard were lacking in bass acoustically. My own Pacemaker was very bass-light till I put on very heavy strings (something like 15-70)& tuned down to A, I can call elephants with it now. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15686
Location: SoCal | Tuned down to an A??? Man, that's a low blow (ha!).
I may be coming into a 69 GC 12 string and might just go heavy strings and tune down to a C. I've never heard of going all the way down to an A. Those strings must rattle around a lot. |
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November 2002
Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | Mike, my brother is out of luck! He saw how I fell in love with the guitar and we decided that I wil keep it. But he did call me today and asked if I would eventually let him have it. I said no way. I got that guitar playing like a champ. It has been waxed, had lemon oil put on the fingerboard, and all set up just for me!...Paul Hebert |
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February 2003
Posts: 2178
Location: the BIG Metropolis of TR | GREAT Paul!! Now it's time to posts some pics!!
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Mike :cool: |
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May 2002
Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | Yes Adamasguy
Pictures for us uncured 12 string GAS addicts, flaunt that 12 string in front of us, just like a picture of a fifth of Jonny Walker Red for an AA group, a shot of Bally's casino for the gambling anonymous, and a nude shot of the Dixie Chicks for the sexual addicts that lurk in the shadows of the world.
I am putting my wife's family wedding dress on Ebay that was worn by her mother, grandmother, and great grandmother that I found hidden in a closet, to raise money for a 12 string. I will fake a burglery to hide the dastardly act.
Put your beautiful 12 string pictures on the board for all to see.
Bailey :D |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | Paul (M!) the point about using really heavy strings is that when they are tuned low they extra mass means they don't rattle about, they have similar tension and feel to a regular set. |
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Help needed in setting 12 string action
