NGD: Orpheum 12/12 SHRW NAT

[chazmo]

Tree, definitely look into getting the guitar set up. TR adjustment is probably not what you need.

 

[Happy Tree]

Does it look as if the action is too high? Would I be able to lower the saddle myself?

 

[Westerly Wood]

Just the coolest body shape I have seen. Congrats!

 

[Happy Tree]

I lift. :cocksure:

 

[chazmo]

Does it look as if the action is too high? Would I be able to lower the saddle myself?

I can't tell if your action is high. Mine is a bit, and sighting down the neck looks perfectly right. There's a lot of saddle there to play with (and I presume yours is the same). I just haven't had it set up yet.

If you've done it before, tree, I don't see why not. I shaved down a saddle on a friend's guitar last year for the first time, and yeah, it's really easy to do with some sandpaper on a flat surface. I'm not sure I'd trust myself to do my Orpheum, though. That's just me.

Oh, and hey, by all means try the TR adjustment first and see if that's enough, but my guess is that's not the issue.

 

[Neal]

Be forewarned that the truss rod is actually in the neck block, and is accessed via the soundhole.

Sounds straight forward, but with the 12-fret 000 body, the soundhole is placed well down the top and is a long way from the neck block. You also have to thread the adjustment wrench through a hole in one of the braces to reach the truss rod adjustment nut.

I had my luthier do a complete set-up, including a tad of nut and saddle filing in addition to truss rod adjustment. $35 very well spent.

Neal

 

[Happy Tree]

Yes it's time I looked around for a good local luthier. I know 2 but one's in England and the other's in Sicily!

 

[davismanLV]

I lift. :cocksure:

HAAAAAAA HAAAAAAA!! LMAO!! :encouragement:

 

[SFIV1967]

I may look at adjusting the truss rod a bit if I find a key that is long enough.

Excellent video you did !!!
Regarding the truss rod wrench: http://www.letstalkguild.com/ltg/sh...H-Guild-Orpheum-models-self-made-in-5-minutes
Regarding setup: http://www.letstalkguild.com/ltg/sh...action-a-sec&p=1648054&viewfull=1#post1648054
Ralf

 

[txbumper57]

Happy, that 12 sounds amazing. That guitar has an unreal amount of sustain to it. +1 on a setup from a luthier. Like Neal and Chazmo said, the truss rod adjustment is not the easiest to get to on Orpheums and even harder on the 12 fret models as the sound hole placement is further down on the top. I'm still uneasy about adjusting my Orpheum's Truss rod due to the whole Wrench through the brace to get to the adjustment nut issue. I'm afraid if the wrench were to slip I could do some damage to the inner brace. If you don't feel comfortable trying to adjust the truss rod, find you a good tech. As far as shaving the saddle, When you remove all the strings it should just pull right out. Before string removal I always mark the Saddle with a light pencil mark on each end where it meets the bridge. Then I have a reference point to go off of when sanding the bottom down. Place some sandpaper on a flat surface and start shaving the bottom of the bridge down slowly. better to do to little than too much. Just remember small increments and you will be fine. I think with a proper setup you will find it much easier to play and will be even more pleased with it in the long run.:encouragement:

 

[Happy Tree]

Well first port of call is new strings. I'm used to extra lights, plus 8s on electric, so it may be that I'm just too pampered and weak. Putting on PB XL. While the strings are "orf" I thought I'd look inside. I have no actual mirror so had to reflect off the iPod touch. Sorry for the poor image quality.

I forget in which thread I saw you talking about signatures but I think I remember this was the guy. McIntyre? Jason? 3/3/14 is at least easily visible.

 

[SFIV1967]

McIntyre? Jason?

http://www.letstalkguild.com/ltg/sh...pheum-Owners&p=1683284&viewfull=1#post1683284
Ralf

 

[Happy Tree]

Thanks! So it was him.

Panic over. Put the extra lights on and my hand is back home. Phew! Now it feels like butter and the neck is fine. Still big but feels good.

 

[jeffcoop]

What an extraordinary instrument. I hope your hand adjusts.

 

[Rayk]

Nice vid . I'm kind of new to the 12 fret necks mostly because of here so a 12 string tat way is a first cool . My old Yamaha had a fat neck but I could deal with it.
key is at least for me was controlling grip pressure more on bar chords up the neck learning where more or less pressure is needed . But that comes automatically after time if it hurts find another way lol
She looks and sounds wonderful.

 

[tefan]

Beautiful guitar Happy! Enjoy!

As for capos, I've used the Shubb on my vintage Ovation 12-string for about a year and I like it better than anything else I've tried. Here's a link: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/acce...c-series-12-string-guitar-capo?rNtt=12-string capo&index=2

 

[Happy Tree]

Cheers! I have 2 capos on their way to me so let's see how they perform. Though today I did say, hey you know I could just transpose Helplessly Hoping into Dm. Which I did and it was fine. Still, capos are cool. And why do all my favourite musicians have voices in a different range from myself? Trials of life!

So final verdict with the right strings on for me is that everything is amazing about this guitar except the tuners. I will see about changing them for whatever slothead tuners are better. Received wisdom says Waverleys are the ones to go for. Any other good experiences?

 

[Rayk]

Anyone try g7 capos ? Or did I miss that post sorry if so .