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Low action and proper break angle are exclusive of each other. They get out of kilter when someone chooses the easy remedy of shaving the saddle as the first picture indicates. Notice the slope of the saddle from bass to treble? This is not, repeat not, as it was intended at the factory. Truss rod adjustment (probably not neck reset) may restore neck angle and then the saddle can be replaced with an original height saddle to restore tone, sustain etc.
The saddle is OK at the moment to merely get by with but why not try to get the best out of your guitar. Not correcting this is compromising, plain and simple. I will go so far as to say to Derf that if he does as I recommend and it does not improve the sound I will send him an elephant ivory saddle for free. There, take me up on it.
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quote: Originally posted by collingscowboy:
Low action and proper break angle are exclusive of each other.
I think you meant to say they are not exclusive of each other. I'll pass on commenting on the rest. Rick |
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No, I said what I meant to say. But I should've added that this applies unless you mess with the saddle. Then all bets are off. What happens between the saddle and nut is independent (exclusive) of what happens between the nut and bridge. If the action goes awry then address the nut-saddle section (truss rod, reset, whatever) because that's where the problem is. But many think taking the saddle down will be a quick fix. Conversely, if the bridge starts lifting or leaning forward, or the bridgepin holes are reamed incorrectly forward, this will alter the break angle. It's really not that hard to see why.
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C.Cowboy you confirmed what I thought all along. I new I was not getting the best out of my CWIA when compared to my CWMhA with the non-shaved saddle. The notes explode out of the hog CW with volume and sustain to boot. Not so with the shaved saddle CWIA. I have no problem doing a trust rod adjustment and know that I could order a thru saddle from Collings and shape as needed. However, a neck reset or new nut is out of my league. So go ahead and keep your elephant ivory saddle since I have already taken your recommendation. My shaved saddle CWIA is now resting comfortably at Collings for repair. I figured I'll let the pros evaluate it and do what is necessary to bring it back to factory specs. I'll let you know the scope of the work once I hear from Collings.
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quote: My shaved saddle CWIA is now resting comfortably at Collings for repair
Well done, Derf. Who better than the boys at Collings to vindicate my theory. You will get your guitar back with a raised saddle, proper action, steeper break angle, and sounding like windchimes on crack. Please post your results. |
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quote: Originally posted by derf:
C.Cowboy you confirmed what I thought all along. I new I was not getting the best out of my CWIA when compared to my CWMhA with the non-shaved saddle. The notes explode out of the hog CW with volume and sustain to boot. Not so with the shaved saddle CWIA. I have no problem doing a trust rod adjustment and know that I could order a thru saddle from Collings and shape as needed. However, a neck reset or new nut is out of my league. So go ahead and keep your elephant ivory saddle since I have already taken your recommendation. My shaved saddle CWIA is now resting comfortably at Collings for repair. I figured I'll let the pros evaluate it and do what is necessary to bring it back to factory specs. I'll let you know the scope of the work once I hear from Collings.
Based on what I've read here and elsewhere, I gotta ask how long it might take for the Collings crew to get this done? |
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| Posts: 311 | Location: Da U.P., eh? | Registered: June 15, 2007 |  |
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Collings evaluated the CWIA and said scope of work requires new nut, new saddle and trust rod adjustment to bring it back to factory specs. Completion time 2 weeks.
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