I have a 1969 D40 (Hoboken) that's a little hard to play. It takes a little more pressure for regular and bar chords when compared to some various other newer guitars I've played. If I ask anyone supposedly knowledgeable about it, they just give it a quick look, tell me it needs a neck reset, and hand it back to me. That may be true, although I'm mostly happy with the action which is a little high at about 6/64 at the low E 12th fret. I had it set up a few years ago and I know the saddle is minimum height and the neck angle isn't the best, but I think it's stable. I like how it plays, it just plays a little hard.
Also, the soundboard is starting to belly ever so slightly below the bridge, which really concerns me. It was set up with Martin SP Phosphor Bronze strings (.013/.056) and I've used them ever since.
What can I/do I need to do? Should I use lighter strings, or will that require a new set up? I like the sound and it stays in tune for months and I don't want to disrupt that. I'm very leery about "one-size-fits-all solutions" and I'm actually scared to death about a neck reset as I'm not too interested in being a first time customer with my vintage guitar. It's not like it has a 3/8" action which needs to be addressed before playability.
I have played many other guitars, including high-end Martins and Taylors and I keep coming back. Many didn't even come close. I really liked the new D55/D50 STD and briefly considered a trade, but the upgrade is not in my budget. The playability on those was an improvement, but not tremendously, and the sound was arguably not improved.
I want to play, not collect. I just want to do right by my 41 year old instrument. Perhaps an instrument of that age wasn't the best choice for a player...
Also, the soundboard is starting to belly ever so slightly below the bridge, which really concerns me. It was set up with Martin SP Phosphor Bronze strings (.013/.056) and I've used them ever since.
What can I/do I need to do? Should I use lighter strings, or will that require a new set up? I like the sound and it stays in tune for months and I don't want to disrupt that. I'm very leery about "one-size-fits-all solutions" and I'm actually scared to death about a neck reset as I'm not too interested in being a first time customer with my vintage guitar. It's not like it has a 3/8" action which needs to be addressed before playability.
I have played many other guitars, including high-end Martins and Taylors and I keep coming back. Many didn't even come close. I really liked the new D55/D50 STD and briefly considered a trade, but the upgrade is not in my budget. The playability on those was an improvement, but not tremendously, and the sound was arguably not improved.
I want to play, not collect. I just want to do right by my 41 year old instrument. Perhaps an instrument of that age wasn't the best choice for a player...