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Changing Saddle & Nut
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Author:  Florentin [ Fri Jan 27, 2012 12:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Changing Saddle & Nut
I've had this Alvarez AC60S for a couple of months.
I bought it on eBay in what appears to be NEW condition.

Great guitar, but there were quite a few buzzes, especially on the first three strings, in the higher frets, especially when playing apoyando (rest stroke).

At first I thought it was a neck-angle issue.
The instrument does come with a truss rod, even though it is a classical.

So I measured the action at the 12th fret.
Of course, I measured it wrong, so I became very confused.
I put the guitar away, not knowing what to do. I did not want to goof it up.

After joining this forum, I gathered the courage to take it out again, and try to solve the problem.
I did tonight. At least I think I did :O)

First, I measured again. Of course, I had measured wrong before.
I had measured in a hurry, and did not use a precise ruler. Also, I measured from the top of the fingerboard, instead of the top of the fret. Go figure :roll:

What I thought was a 5mm and 4mm action (sixth and first strings respectively) turned out to be a 3.5 mm and 2.5 mm action. No wonder the poor thing was buzzing.

I had ordered some bone nuts and saddles, and tonight I changed the old ones with the new, filing the new ones to a better dimension.

The new setup is WONDERFUL. There is not one buzz anywhere on the guitar, even when I play the heaviest of a rest stroke. A very sweet sound also. The sixth string at the 12th fret is at 4.5mm and at the 7th fret it is 4mm.

Here's the old saddle - you can see how low it is, especially on the treble side...

Image


Here are the new blanks...

Image


After some filing...

Image


The new nut...

Image


With the strings on... a couple of the slots have to be made a bit deeper.

Image


Here she is...

Image

I recorded a short piece after the new setup, but I am not crazy about the sound quality. Sounds much better live.
I bought this new Blue SnowBall microphone, but I can't seem to find the right balance for it. Sounds too muffled and the basses are not live enough.

Boy, I look like a zomby at 3AM in the morning :O)
Author:  dpm99 [ Fri Jan 27, 2012 1:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Saddle & Nut
It always feels good when you reach a point that you're able to diagnose a problem and fix it when you once weren't. Good work.
Author:  Florentin [ Fri Jan 27, 2012 1:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Saddle & Nut
The guitar sounds incredibly better!
The action is still a bit high for my taste, but I can bring it a tiny bit lower next time I change the strings.

Thanks for the comment.
Author:  nyazzip [ Fri Jan 27, 2012 2:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Saddle & Nut
Quote:
but I can bring it a tiny bit lower next time I change the strings.

nice playing! i am envious
can't you just loosen the strings off and slide the saddle out to work on it? thats what i do
Author:  Florentin [ Fri Jan 27, 2012 2:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Saddle & Nut
thanks

I probably will loosen the strings and lower the action a bit more.
It is not too high for a typical classical, but I've been playing on a Flamenco model for a while, so it feels a bit different.
I do like the ability to dig into the string though, so I won't go too low on the action.
Author:  Clinchriver [ Fri Jan 27, 2012 2:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Saddle & Nut
Good fix. Nice sounding guitar, you play it well.

I have a nice Taylor nylon string cutaway that I need to play more than I do. (That Telecaster keeps me busy)
Author:  Florentin [ Fri Jan 27, 2012 3:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Saddle & Nut
Thanks.
I know that compared to the work of others in here, this project is nothing, but for me it was very exciting.
Learning a lot in here.
Author:  gozierdt [ Fri Jan 27, 2012 6:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Saddle & Nut
Beautiful playing, and the guitar sounds great also. You better
be careful reading about building guitars...it's a terrible addiction
once you give in bliss
Author:  alan stassforth [ Fri Jan 27, 2012 8:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Saddle & Nut
Nice playing!
[clap] [clap] [clap]
Author:  crich [ Fri Jan 27, 2012 11:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Saddle & Nut
Enjoyed your playing! [clap] If you're unhappy with your recording tone, may I suggest moving the mic to different locations? On some mics I find that if I point the mic towards the fretboard, it cleans up the highs. Clinton
Author:  Florentin [ Sat Jan 28, 2012 1:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Changing Saddle & Nut
Thanks for the comments.

I've had the SnowBall for about a week now.
I am still trying different setups and different positions.

I haven't found one variation that satisfies me yet.
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