What should I do with it?

And everyone knows how I like shiny, level frets. Hey, why not, the nut was off!!

20161229_221250_zpstoveapo3.jpg


20161229_221302_zpscwgz0hsh.jpg
 
These came from the link you posted a day or so back?
I have locking from factory on my Jeff Beck Strat and added by previous owner on one of my US Specials, they work VERY well.
Been unsuccessfully looking for a set in black chrome but not with the visible screw down bracket as in your photo.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RVA
gasket said:
These came from the link you posted a day or so back?
I have locking from factory on my Jeff Beck Strat and added by previous owner on one of my US Specials, they work VERY well.
Been unsuccessfully looking for a set in black chrome but not with the visible screw down bracket as in your photo.
Click to expand...
Yep. And they have black - in-line or 3x3.
 
gasket said:
And did you get a result?
That is other than it looking so sweet.
Click to expand...
Sadly, since I finished at 1 am, there was very little time to play- a strum or 2 and then I feared waking the wife.

But so far, I will say that I have buzz free action that is at least 75% lower. It sounds reasonably full for a guitar that cost me $150 (32 years ago - so with an infaltion adjustment, $300). It is no Talor or Martin, but I was not expecting that. I may also be spoiled from having played about 50 acoustics in 3 days.

The strings felt stiff to me, tough to bend, etc.. Since it is not a long scale guitar, this could be my fatigue from all the maintenance last night or it could be the strings (I bought some $6 D'Addario 12s because I assumed I may have to trash them if things did not go right).

I will play some more tonight and even record a clip if anyone is interested. There's no electronics, so I will have to mic it.
 
Last edited:
Great I hope you two form a strong bond.

I'll be following your lead again this weekend but will try to re-use my nut and just fit my saddle better after a full fret dress.
and ....... It's All YOUR Fault..... again!!

how did you get the intonated set back for each string on the new saddle?
I want a 12 string......
 
  • Like
Reactions: RVA
RVA said:
So what to do?
Click to expand...
I just started reading this thread, and you have already put in some effort into revitalizing the Epi.

Based on your propensity of your nice electrics, I'm going to suggest to donate the Epi to a proper charity involving youth rehabilitation.

Meanwhile, get yourself a nice new (or used) acoustic. Tone is an obvious priority, but highly consider the ergonomics, too. Don't rule out parlor size guitars. There's a lot of excellent choices in $700 to $2000 range. This new/used acoustic would be your benchmark or reference guitar for any other projects or aquisitions.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RVA
jtcnj said:
Great I hope you two form a strong bond.

I'll be following your lead again this weekend but will try to re-use my nut and just fit my saddle better after a full fret dress.
and ....... It's All YOUR Fault..... again!!

how did you get the intonated set back for each string on the new saddle?
I want a 12 string......
Click to expand...
I am not too sure, except if the neck is right and the saddle is the same height, the intonation should be OK. I have seen compensated saddles for sale, which I assume is for intonation.
 
I played this morning and then I bought new string. The fret job made it so even the reduced saddle height resulted in high action. Time to trim some more off the bottom!!
 
RVA said:
I played this morning and then I bought new string. The fret job made it so even the reduced saddle height resulted in high action. Time to trim some more off the bottom!!
Click to expand...
If you go too much, I've made shims from the plastic stuff is packaged in. The packages that are next to impossible to open.
Strips of beer can works too.
I've also seen strips of tie wrap used as saddle shims.
Drop a gauge in string size & get a slinkier feel.
 
Hackmaster said:
If you go too much, I've made shims from the plastic stuff is packaged in. The packages that are next to impossible to open.
Strips of beer can works too.
I've also seen strips of tie wrap used as saddle shims.
Drop a gauge in string size & get a slinkier feel.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I want to keep standard gauge (which I think is 12-53) until it is set up and them i will take your advice or drop it a gauge. I bought another saddle blank and if I blow it, I will start over - oh what fun!
 
sanded my saddle yesterday afternoon. came down about 2/64 on the the base side and minimally on the treble.
Im a tiny bit over 5/64 bass and at 3/64 treble. I straight edged and fret rocked the frets and am satisfied enough to skip the fret level.
While I had the strings out of the way I exercised the truss rod and got a little more travel each way; relief is low with no buzz.
Playing very nicely.
I'm excited about learning more acoustic songs and the whole songs of the ones I play pieces of already.
 
nice work! the bone saddle ought to make a big difference tonally...

You should own and keep Dan Erlewine's book: 'The Guitar Player Repair Guide'
as well as his other one: 'How to Make Your Electric Guitar Play Great'
http://www.stewmac.com/How-To/Books/

These great reference works are indispensable for most of us.
I know there are also lots of online tutorials on these topics, many made by Erlewine himself.

Personally, I had not thought of putting my darn fone inside an acoustic guitar for a look at the guts,
but now that I see it done, I can't wait to try it myself. Did you find any "Tone Balls" inside your Epi?
(Tone Balls are like guitar dust bunnies...) several luthiers I know have collections of them, one has them
framed in a frame with small compartments like you'd use to display marbles or some such.
One's got a gallon glass jar nearly full of them.
... think "dried June Bug wrapped in cat hair"

Your guitar looked so clean and spiffy inside, it was almost scary.
guitar vacuum.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: RVA
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top