d35 saddle height. Is this too low??

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Hi everyone, I am very interested in this D 35. My question is how much can this saddle go down? It plays well now, but I'm worries about a nek reset in the near future. Any help you can give i would very much appreciate.

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davismanLV

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Hey Tyler. From the only picture that I can really see the saddle height, it's obviously been taken down a bit. The break angle is still okay, but it looks like there's been some ramping (slots cut) which make the angle look better than it would be normally. You might could take it down a little bit more, but not much. Then you can always (gasp!! horror!!) shave the bridge down a bit to get some further lowering, but it's not the thickest bridge I've ever seen and you'd not get a whole lot by doing that. It may have already been done some. When it needs a neck reset down the line (and it will need it eventually) you'd probably replace the bridge at the same time anyway.

I'd be using the straight-edge method to check the neck angle. I always take a 24" metal straight edge with me when evaluating guitars. Check here to see the method --->>> http://www.frets.com/FretsPages/Musician/Guitar/Setup/NeckAngle/neckangle.html

Once evaluated this way, you should have a better idea. Then it all depends on price. You could definitely use the lowered saddle and impending neck reset (down the line) as a way to negotiate a better price. That's my best assessment. There will be others along soon with differing opinions I'm sure.....
 

DCannon

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Hey Tyler, Welcome!

It's a bit low, but appears to be playable for a while. It does look like the saddle has been lowered and the string slots may have been extended to maintain a good string angle, and if so, that may be a sign of something going on. Definitely check the neck set before buying. If you don't know how to do it, look for a qualified local tech and get it checked out. How's the relief? How old is this guitar?

The G string's position looks way out of whack extending over the saddle...and from the looks of it, this guitar could greatly benefit from a new saddle!

But get that neck set checked. In fact, if you're that interested, have a tech go over the whole guitar.

Good luck!

DC
 

geoguy

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+ 1 to everything those two guys said above . . .

It'll eventually need a neck reset (like most any acoustic guitar), but if you like the way it plays & sounds now, just use that knowledge as a bargaining chip to get it for a more-favorable price.
 

evenkeel

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You did not mention how old this D-35 is. My D-35, 1975 vintage, has a much flatter break on the saddle. But, it's been that way for as long as I've had the guitar (mid 80's) and has not moved at all. A ruler laid across the sound hole hits a bit below the edge of the bridge. So technically a neck reset is in order. BUT.... the action is great, 3/32" or so. Sounds wonderful. So I have no designs to mess with it.

My impression is you've got a bit of room to lower the saddle. The action at the 12th. fret is your guide. If you want to lower the action 1/64" you'll need to lower the saddle 1/32". But if it plays well, sounds good and has good action, I'd not worry to much.
 

chazmo

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That saddle looks like it's way overdue for a replacement anyway. It's not too low, as others have said, although I agree it looks like it's been taken down and might be indicative of a neck reset or bridge shave in the future. I would have the guitar set up immediately and replace that saddle at a minimum.
 
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Thanks so much for the help guys, it most def needs a new saddle, no doubt about that. It is a 1981. I have not played this guitar or been able to handle it. If I had been able to I would be able to get a much better idea of what it may need and how long it's going to last in it's current state. I have been told that " The gutiar plays really well, and holds tune equally as well. There's some wear on the saddle, but looks like it has plenty of life left in it." So that is a good sign. That is really all the info I have. Looks like a nice guit and in good shape considering how often you see these older Guilds beat to death by this point in time.
 

Taylor Martin Guild

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If you get the guitar, have a fully compensated Bone saddle installed.
It will make the guitar sound great.
The height looks marginal from the pictures but someone has slotted the bridge knowing that doing so
will allow for a low saddle and proper break angle.

A neck reset may not be too far away on this one.
 
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I think I agree with you on that Taylor Martin Guild, I'm in SLC, do you know of any places that sell old Guilds, I think the new ones are great and have seen those around, I just don't feel like paying 2,000 for one when I can get them for less than half if I just do alittle hunting. Thanks again for the help guys!
 

PTC Bernie

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You have pretty good break angle over the saddle, so I wouldn't say the saddle is too low unless the action overall is high and hard to play. If that's the case then you might check the neck to see if a reset is in order.

BUT, having said that, seeing the wear on that saddle its definitely time to replace it. A compensated saddle would be worth it if you play up the neck a lot.

Just my $0.02 worth.
 

Taylor Martin Guild

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Tylerjay said:
I think I agree with you on that Taylor Martin Guild, I'm in SLC, do you know of any places that sell old Guilds, I think the new ones are great and have seen those around, I just don't feel like paying 2,000 for one when I can get them for less than half if I just do alittle hunting. Thanks again for the help guys!

I don't see used Guilds in SLC very often. I have seen some show up on KSL.com though.
You could check with Guitar Center.
They will bring in any used guitars that any of their other stores have and you are not obligated to purchase if you don't like it.

Forum member GardMan lives in the SLC area. I think that He was going to sell one of his Guilds a few months ago.
I can't remember which one though.
How about it Dave?
 

marcellis

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The bridge looks pretty tall too. If it plays fine - leave it alone.
If you want faster action w/o a reset, sand the bridge.

I don't subscribe to the low saddle paranoia many acoustic guitarists exhibit.
(no one here, of course) Saddles can stay like that for years. No problem.

And if it becomes a problem, taking some height off the bridge is an alternative
to a complete neck reset. Even replacing a tall bridge with a lower one is a lot cheaper
than a neck reset.
 

davismanLV

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PTC Bernie said:
You have pretty good break angle over the saddle, so I wouldn't say the saddle is too low unless the action overall is high and hard to play. If that's the case then you might check the neck to see if a reset is in order.

BUT, having said that, seeing the wear on that saddle its definitely time to replace it. A compensated saddle would be worth it if you play up the neck a lot.

Just my $0.02 worth.
Bernie, just to be complete, the bridge has been RAMPED like crazy. If the grooves were not cut so deeply into the bridge pin holes, the break angle would look WAY flatter and you'd be a bit more concerned. Make sure you know why the break angle looks so good on such a low saddle..... there's a reason for it. Compensations have been made on this guitar. Just sayin..... :wink:
 

GardMan

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Taylor Martin Guild said:
Forum member GardMan lives in the SLC area. I think that He was going to sell one of his Guilds a few months ago.
I can't remember which one though.
How about it Dave?
I am currently selling my D-55 to a fellow LTGer on installment (to partially offset the cost of the DV-73 I bought last fall)... and don't have immediate plans to part with any others soon.

I don't see many old Guilds F/S in SLC. Local Music @ 8th and 8th occasionally has one. Tom, the propietor, sold his '74 F-40, and he had a '74 D-50 hanging on the wall F/S for a while. I found my '76 D-50 at the House of Guitars on 300W (~600 S)... saw an ad on eBay, and when I noticed it was in SLC, I went down to check it out on my lunch hour. After a quick call to the wife, I bought it on the spot. Intermountain Guitar and Banjo always seems to have a few used Guilds F/S. Right now, they list a '73 D-25, a '74 D-44M, and F-212XL, and a couple other Ms and Fs (go to their inventory and look at "other used guitars." Their asking prices are pretty steep... but you might haggle them down. Guitar Czar on 33rd South had some new Tacomas and GADs last time I checked, but that was in the Tacoma days. I haven't been in since Guild moved to New Hartford. I also see Guilds pop up on KSL.com or craigslist occasionally.

A couple of my Guilds have saddles that low, tho' I haven't ramped them quite as much. I agree, if they are playable and sound good, they can stay that way for years. On the other hand, I am going to have the neck reset on my DV-73 this spring... the saddle is WAY low, and I don't want to ramp its bridge.
 

PTC Bernie

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Hi Tom.

Good point. I went back and took another look at the pix and noticed that the bridge wasn't as thick as some Guilds from the later 80's.

That would explain why they might try ramping the strings as opposed to shaving the bridge (I know, I know, everyone just gasped, but that's a thread for another day....) which can be done on some of the later Guilds because the bridge is so thick to begin with.

Thanks!
 

davismanLV

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PTC Bernie said:
Hi Tom.

Good point. I went back and took another look at the pix and noticed that the bridge wasn't as thick as some Guilds from the later 80's.

That would explain why they might try ramping the strings as opposed to shaving the bridge (I know, I know, everyone just gasped, but that's a thread for another day....) which can be done on some of the later Guilds because the bridge is so thick to begin with.

Thanks!
Bernie, I initially did the same thing. I looked and thought, "Well that break angle is pretty good." Then I kept thinking about how low the saddle was and .... it just wasn't adding up. How could that be? So I went back and looked a little more closely and ...... there they were!! Those ramps are cut pretty deep.

I have a Washburn that I've had for 18 years and the saddle is LOW. I probably bought it that way new, since it was before I knew about such things. The good thing is that it's been stable and never moved in the 18 years. If it does, I'm in trouble!!

That guitar has had some serious lowering and adjustments made. Doesn't make it a bad deal.... once again, it depends on the price and just know there's a neck reset in the future some time. :wink:
 

mutantmoose

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This one bugs me. The ramping - meh, okay, fine. Low saddle - meh, okay, fine. Absolutely no attempt to intonate the saddle, and it doesn't even look properly radiused - this bothers me. A lot. I don't know what the radius on this neck is, but the saddle just doesn't look like it would match whatever radius the guitar has. I would really have a tech look at it and make some suggestions. I would also make sure to look inside the guitar with a mirror and check for any other ham-handed work, and I would make sure that the bridge plate looks okay. I would also make sure that the truss rod hasn't been screwed up by the same tech.

Of course, properly set up, it would probably be a GREAT guitar, but I would make sure things are okay to go first.

And after a second look, I don't like the ramps. They are too wide, and are allowing the strings to settle off sideways from where they should be. If the guitar was below $200, I would bite with no questions asked, but I would ask some good questions and do some inspecting if I was to pay full price - whatever that is.
 
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Well guys, might be a nice guitar might not, but since I have to pay for it then have it shipped before I can check on it I'm gonna pass just too much hassle. Thanks very much for all the input, it's help me make a better informed decision. I'll just wait till I can get a good look at one. Guardman, thanks for the advice on different guitar shops around. I will go check those places out.
 

Dr Izza Plumber

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Some guitarists tend to lower the saddle excessively to compensate for overly heavy strings.
I'd replace the saddle with a new Tusq piece, perhaps slightly taller, add good quality light gauge strings, and enjoy the git for a while.
If You haven't checked out a Tusq saddle, You owe it to Yourself to give it a go........Tusq is significantly harder than bone, and imo, tone is superior.
 
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